# Is homosexuality a "choice"?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-homosexuality-a-choice/62184>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [April 16, 2001, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-homosexuality-a-choice/62184 "2001-04-16T18:46:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 4

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**Author:** ![erislover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71e660/32.png) [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2001, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-homosexuality-a-choice/62184/61 "2001-04-19T16:04:00Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> Well, if he too is attracted to women above the age of consent (which, incidentally, is 14, at least where I live) then I, certainly, am not going to say he has a mental disease.

Now, I’m not sure I see the logic in using a law about consent as a stepping stone to a state of mental health.

[/quote]  
I withdraw harsher comments after reviewing this [DSM criteria for perophilia](http://www.massnews.com/dsmiv.htm). After the heated debates I got into over it and incest (not in the same thread!) I’ve always been on the defensive about it ever since.

There are many, many people who would consider me a pedophile. They do not reference this information!

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**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2001, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-homosexuality-a-choice/62184/62 "2001-04-19T16:10:59Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by waterj2 \*  
> \*\*
> 
> > [@](#):
> >
> > Yes, that is exactly what I’m suggesting. You’ve hit the nail on the head. Uh huh, uh huh.
> 
> Then what would such a person be? As far as I know, the word pedophile refers to someone who is sexually attracted to children. \*\*

Obviously, I’m going to have to figure out that rollie-eye face, because sarcasm doesn’t come through in text-only form.

Incidentally, I was BEING SARCASTIC.

\<sheesh\>

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**Author:** ![Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2001, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-homosexuality-a-choice/62184/63 "2001-04-21T09:07:47Z")

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This makes me think of the old commercials about abortion, but with a twist:

```
 Homosexuality: What A **FABULOUS** choice.
```

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