Haggard to Oprah: I'm Cured of Being Gay

 

Ted is so lucky that he has a dedicated wife that has been able to help him to clean his room and sweep everything under the rug in such an effective and notable way. The reality of relationships is only the business of those conscenting adults involved and if honest and open for each partner to explore and expand their sexual being, fantastic. It's too bad that religion and America doesn't support honesty and integrity. Allow people to explore their sexual identities without judgement or ridicule. I do believe that people can change and I do believe in bisexuality, I just wish that Ted would be supportive of those who choose a lifestyle that deviates from his choice. And if genetics plays a part in sexual identity, these two may be unknowingly harming a quiet closeted loved one in their own family.

Jeff, thanks for your thoughtful post.

Michael ~ Twin studies have shown support that there is some genetic component to homosexuality. There is even more evidence supporting a biological basis for homosexuality. Meanwhile, as more research is conducted, hypothesized psychosocial correlates of homosexuality (which have incidentally been used to disenfranchise gay people and take away our rights) are being dis-proven all the time. So while there is no definitive evidence to say that being gay is genetic, we're at least disproving theories that homosexuality is a learned/acquired trait.

Why Oprah would waste TV time on this second-rate, so-called Christian, third-rate, so-called heterosexual male is indication that her show is petering out as far as interesting subject matter is concerned. Haggard is a sniveling, pathetic, namby pamby, wishy washy, spineless, self-serving, once-holier-than-thu, silly dimwit who, should the Rapture occur soon would not be missed. Good riddance to him and his ilk. Other than that, I hope his wife's book makes everybody happy. A fairy tale, to be sure.

Michael, as much I admire your sense or polite protocol, your delivery sucks as much as mine. Heredity or environmental...it doesn't really matter. Anthropology teaches us that we have been around for tens of thousands of years and therefore we must serve a purpose in perpetuating society and mankind. History teaches us we've been around for thousands of years, sometimes Queens of the Prom, sometimes burned alive with our genitals in our mouths. The point is we exist, we contribute, we are denied basic human rights. Arguing tit for tat is just stupid.

A cure for "being gay"...Good...Now get around to curing cancer and AIDS...

Preston: I appreciate your reply, and I understand what you're saying. I don't pretend to understand all of the factors that go into making a person straight or gay. We are very complex beings. Many things affect us that we aren't even aware of. We've all grown up with things that have impacted our lives. I won't attempt to address your specific situation, but to use such anecdotal evidence certainly doesn't prove that being gay is genetic. Also, there's no need to call me names. I haven't done that with you or anyone else. Can't we discourse respectfully, even if we disagree? Thank you for taking the time to reply.

Pepper. That is a straw man argument. Since heterosexuals comprise the vast majority of people, homosexuality would have to be considered an anomaly. Now, I'm NOT saying that homosexuals are less valuable as people or that they are bad. Clearly that would be wrong for me to say. However, no one has to prove the overwhelming majority (the norm). What has to be proved is the minority (anomaly). So, instead of diverting the discussion, simply provide the empirical evidence that homosexuality is caused by genetics. That's the only point I'm making here. I don't believe that homosexuals are any less important as people than anyone else. Thank you for your reply.

For Michael, and others, when I was a child I loved fishing and hunting with my father, we were always good friends, he and I went to the movies together, went out for ice cream together, played golf, all without my mother. My mother and I weren't particularly close. Lo and behold, I grew up gay. Duh. Environmental factors? What would those have been? So, for those idiots and bigots and a$$holes out there, being gay is not a choice any more than being straight is. Anyone who feels any differently is deluding themselves... By the way, I'm now a non-hunting, non-fishing, non-golfing successful executive and, yes, I just happen to be gay.

Michael Ames, I guess straight people become straight through environmental issues as well, huh?