[Normand-OL]

Why do some homosexuals refuse to entertain extending to other minorities the same civil rights that they themselves demand? For instance, polygamy and homosexuality are types of behavior that are not inborn, yet some homosexuals disdain polygamists. Is this a double standard?

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Name : Normand-OL, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Catholic, Age : 50, City : Alameda, State : CA Country : United States, Occupation : Mechanic, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Rob29693]

It's not a double standard, because your analogy is false. Polygamy is a cultural practice. We do not extend legal recognition to polygamous arrangments for a number of reasons, the most important of which is that it's widely considered to be prone to instability and inherently exploitative as a social structure (witness the situation of women in many Islamic countries). You liken being gay to polygamy by claiming that homosexuality is a 'type of behavior' which is 'not inborn.' How do you know that it isn't? Are you a geneticist? What's your evidence? Even if homosexuality is the result of environmental factors and not genetics, it is not experienced as chosen (your own church acknowledges this, by the way). Homosexuality is not a cultural practice or "behavior." It is an orientation, which may or may not manifest itself in behavior. A celibate gay priest, a 15-year-old virgin, a closeted man married to a woman, a promiscuous party-boy and a man in a long-term monogamous gay relationship are all equally gay, even though their behaviors are radically different. And unlike polygamy (at least as our culture views it), gay relationships are not inherently unstable or exploitative. Now here's a question for you: Why do some Christians refuse to entertain extending to other minorities the same civil rights that they themselves already enjoy? Religion is a type of behavior that is not inborn, yet some Christians claim that homosexuality is a 'chosen behavior' and disdain gays for it. Is this a double standard?

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Name : Rob29693, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Gay, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Agnostic, Age : 32, City : Los Angeles, State : CA Country : United States, Occupation : Filmmaker, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Upper middle class, 

[Thom24769]

Your premise is wrong: People do not choose to become homosexual. People are born homosexual or heterosexual or bisexual. People choose how to express their sexuality; they can choose to bond with one person or with more than one. (Or with none.) Minorities thus come in two types: Those created by birth/conception (like skin color or sexual orientation) and those created by choice (like religion). One can choose to be a Catholic. But one does not choose to be male. Now, of course, that difference raises questions: Should choices be honored and even protected? Many cultures believe that such choices should not; witness the many wars of religion. At its strongest, the American system at least in theory respects these differences. But this system wars against the human tendency to see difference as bad. Thus the ongoing attacks on people of the 'wrong' faith or skin color or sexual orientation.

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Name : Thom24769, Gender : M, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 57, City : Washington, State : DC Country : United States, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Andrew]

Many scientific studies have shown homosexuality is ingrained at birth - it's not a 'choice.' Equating a trait a person has no control over with a behavior a person consciously chooses makes no sense.

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Name : Andrew, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 35, City : Huntington, State : NY Country : United States, Occupation : Reporter, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Michael20710]

1) Most research points to a large portion of homosexual orientation being genetic (inborn). 2) Polygamy (and polygamists) refers to a type of marriage - which in some non-Western cultures is still the normative behavior. 3) The disdain you may be perceiving over 'polygamists' vs. gays is probably backlash for the hypocrisy shown by the Mormon church - which winks and nods at polygamy in its own ranks and history, yet spends millions of dollars backing anti-same-sex marriage initiatives (Hawaii, California, etc.). 4) Not to make too fine a point about 'inborn' behaviors, but religion is a chosen behavior, not a genetic trait. It is, however, a behavior that benefits from many 'special rights' granted in law. Unfortunately, that special status has led many to believe that these special rights also include discrimination of gays and lesbians with impunity, or worse, the right to harass, beat and even kill as an extension of their 'god's will.'

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Name : Michael20710, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Gay, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Methodist, Age : 38, City : Houston, State : TX Country : United States, Occupation : Intranet Manager, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Upper middle class, 

[Tonya B.]

Most members of the les/bi/gay community I know of fully support ANYONE who does not fit into the category of 'normal.' We (being myself, my wife and our two children) do not tolerate any kind of discrimination based on religion, color, physical appearence, handicap or anything else. The only type of person we will not tolerate is one who is dishonest or judges others publicly. I have recently moved out of the Bay Area (Hayward) and never came across anyone who was not easily accepted into our community. As far as my beliefs about polygamy, as long as everyone is consenting and aware of the others, I see no harm being done.

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Name : Tonya B., Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Lesbian, Race : human, Age : 28, City : Porterville, State : CA Country : United States, Occupation : Activity Coordinator, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

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