Why are people gay?
Sexuality is a very complicated topic. From a biological perspective it is our purpose in life; we satiate our need for food and water, and remaining are a mess of hormones which constantly drive us to seek a mate and reproduce. Human sexuality, however, is much more complex than that.
Sex is omnipresent in our lives, and goes beyond the physical act. It’s emotions are among the most powerful we can experience, and are capable of exterminating the logic of even the most reasonable people. Sexuality is the end of our childhood, but it’s influence begins before that; in fact, it begins the moment we enter the world, and we receive a name, a name which is either masculine or feminine. Why is sex so important, and such a strong influence in our lives?
Let’s go back a step, and examine sex itself. Sex is an implementation of a critical element of life: reproduction. All organisms reproduce, and many do so through a process called sex. In many species, there exist a male and a female variety. Individuals of each possess corresponding capabilities which allow them to exchange genetic information, their DNA, by which process a new organism is created. This is sex. Other commonalities are tough to find. In any case, however, sex is of critical importance to all organisms. This unceasing drive to reproduce is the nature of life.
Sex is seen among plants, fungi, and animals, which leaves for considerable variety in the various forms sex takes on. The sexuality of most species is a far cry from our own. Many are hermaphrodites, with each sex possessing both male and female sex organs, and many are only capable of reproducing when in heat; some species have only a few days a year. Boars’ orgasms last between five and fifteen minutes. Male honey bee drones exist in great number for no other purpose than to perish after very quickly mating with the queen. Among many species of insects the female bites the male’s head off following intercourse (which throws the term “whipped” in a whole new light). Many plants are dependent upon animals in various ways for reproduction, and others are equipped with their own methods of spreading seeds (a personal favorite are the elegant and ethereal maple seeds). Here’s a great list.
As we can see, sexuality is not determined by nature to be in a certain way. The relation of male and female, homosexuality, and the individual experience (ranging from emotional response to death of one party) varies widely. Each organism, however, does it – no matter if they’ll die or suffer in the process, their impulses drive them to do it. They are unable to resist. We are no different.
That point is the critical element that many people seem to forget. Although humans can influence our actions, we cannot control our impulses and emotions. In short, we are what we are, and everything else is what we decide to do with our feelings. Just as many male insects perhaps do not wish themselves a violent beheading by their mate, they do it anyways, without fail. This extends beyond sex and is an element found among all life. Some impulses, some processes, some instincts cannot be resisted. They are a fundamental part of who we are, of what an organism is. It is written in our DNA.
Human sexuality is certainly different than that of animals, or fungi or plants. We are also, however, slaves to our impulses, and are as responsible for selecting our sexuality as all other species: it is beyond our control. We do not choose to be gay or straight, which gender we are and which gender identity we possess, what type of people we are attracted to, what we enjoy doing in bed. If we look at other species, we see individuals who have exactly so little control as we do. Many elements of not only our sexuality but also of our characters we are born with, and retain our entire lives. Straight individuals do not become gay; lactose intolerants do not wake up one day to discover they can drink milk; skin, eye, and hair color can not be changed.
Let’s imagine God as the grand architect and designer of all these organisms: God’s plans for sex correspond to those put forth in the Bible. Why would God make sex such a critical element of a healthy and loving long-term relationships, yet require that irreversible marriages be made before two individuals can see if they are a sexual match? Why would he have so many of us be gay (homosexuals in the human population make up likely between three and ten percent), yet demand that those who follow these feelings be killed? Why would he make us all so different, yet expect us all to be the same?
Love seems to be very rare in our world in comparison to hate. I believe that love is the best policy when dealing with others – no matter the person’s character, choices, and history with another individual, one should love them for what they are: another human living on this earth, making their way through this thing we call life. When two individuals find one another, and in the other, love, God must rejoice – he does not condemn them. He, creator and designer of everything, would not instill these emotions in his children if they were forbidden.
The biological origin and cause of homosexuality is not understood. What is certain, however, is that homosexuality is not unique to humans; rather, it is homophobia that is limited to our species. I stand by my beliefs on love: it is the only answer. Who, and what one loves is not important. It is the act itself that defines our humanity, and our capacity to do good for others, our world, and ourselves.
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