Poll: Thought experiment: What if homosexuality COULD be "cured" medically?

[Kolby Jack]

WAIT!!! Before you immediately vote "no" because "homosexuality is not a disease, you homophobe!" I just want you to think about it for a minute.

This is just a hypothetical scenario in which say, scientists have discovered homosexuality is caused by some sort of chemical brain chi something or other and they've developed a pill that could make gay people straight. First, would you support it if it were utterly painless with no real side-effects? Second, what do you think the reaction would be from the masses? The gay community? Please try and keep discussion civil.

 

[Kolby Jack]

Isn't this discussion already running in another current thread?

Hmmm, not on the front page it's not. I don't know, I haven't been keeping up with the forums here as much lately. But it's not like repeat topics are unusual here anyway.

 

[Kolby Jack]

Isn't this discussion already running in another current thread?

Hmmm, not on the front page it's not. I don't know, I haven't been keeping up with the forums here as much lately. But it's not like repeat topics are unusual here anyway.

First page on Religion & politics.

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/528.338469-Homosexuality-can-be-cured

Huh. I didn't really consider it a religious or political issue, to be honest. More of a social one. Well I guess that's why I haven't seen it: I don't ever go to the religion and politics board. Not sure if that should mean this topic is technically a repeat or not either, especially since that's not a thought experiment so much as it is a commentary on a statement made by a Rabbi.

 

[JoJo]

It's their choice to be honest. I see nothing wrong with being gay, lesbian or any other sexuality but if there was a way to change one's sexuality then it would be right to let people make a free choice themselves.

 

[evilneko]

Isn't this discussion already running in another current thread?

Hmmm, not on the front page it's not. I don't know, I haven't been keeping up with the forums here as much lately. But it's not like repeat topics are unusual here anyway.

First page on Religion & politics.

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/528.338469-Homosexuality-can-be-cured

Huh. I didn't really consider it a religious or political issue, to be honest. More of a social one. Well I guess that's why I haven't seen it: I don't ever go to the religion and politics board. Not sure if that should mean this topic is technically a repeat or not either, especially since that's not a thought experiment so much as it is a commentary on a statement made by a Rabbi.

That thread's not really the same discussion anyway.

As to the thought experiment... I think the reaction from the gay community would be pretty varied. There would be ugliness, for sure. Some would probably even commit suicide, unable to cope with the idea that homosexuality is some sort of disorder. Those would be the ones that are most insecure in their sexuality, the ones deepest in the closet. There'd also be plenty of those who wouldn't care a bit. I think it'd be interesting to see what kind of curve the range of responses follows.

Thankfully, such a thing is likely never to come about. I sure as hell wouldn't want to hear the deafening chorus of "I TOLD YOU SO" from the religious whackjobs and other homophobes.

 

[Jonluw]

Wait, why would I support forcing someone into changing their sexuality even if it was painless?

 

[Hazy992]

Personally, if I was gay and this was actually possible then no, I wouldn't change myself. I'd have no problem with being gay. However, if others felt that they had to do it then I would have no problem with it.

 

[Hazy992]

Isn't this discussion already running in another current thread?

The thread you're thinking of isn't a hypothetical. It's just some Rabbi saying it can be cured, like through prayer or something.

 

[gigastrike]

It's not contagious, so I don't see why we would ever have to force it on people.

 

[Smeggs]

Their choice to take the treatment. Personally if I were gay I'd probably do it to avoid the bigotted hostility over the subject. Gotta follow social "norms" as in the real world it's better not to stick out as much.

 

[Vern5]

If the drug was announced as being a "Cure for the gay", then yes, a lot of people would be pissed. It would be the same as offering a "Cure for the White" which sounds like medical genocide or a "Cure for the Gamer" which sounds like culture-o-cide. <- Needs revision.

Presumably this medicine simply adjusts sexual orientation. This means that it wouldn't take long for some other scientist to analyze the medicine and create a "Cure for the Straight". Depending on how readily available and expensive this drug is, I would assume that it would make for a great prank where you can turn one of your friends gay without them knowing while still being able to "reset" their sexual orientation once the joke's novelty has faded. However, the results might end up being more problematic than funny.