'Just Let People Have Their Beliefs': Blaze Readers React to Gay Rights Activists Outraged Over Billboard’s Message About Homosexuality and Genetics

TheBlaze posted a story earlier this week about a controversial billboard in Richmond, Virginia, that read “nobody is born gay." The billboard, sponsored by the Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays, featured a photo of identical twins with the caption: “Identical twins. One gay. One not. We believe twins research studies show nobody is born gay.”

Regina Griggs, executive director of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays, argued that identical twins have the same DNA — therefore if one is gay and the other isn’t, being gay is not genetic.

But gay and lesbian activists found the billboard troubling. Beth Panilaitis, executive director of the gay youth group Rosby, said she is “shocked and really disappointed that at the end of 2014, we have a billboard in the middle of our city that says that kind of hate.”

Here's what some readers of TheBlaze had to say about the issue:

Blest

I have a serious, genuine question: If gay people “didn’t choose” to feel the way they feel, and they can’t help it, wouldn’t that apply to everybody? Or does it only apply to gay people.

What I mean to say is, if a gay person has no control over their feelings of attraction and sexuality, isn’t it equally true that a straight person has no control over their feelings of revulsion and disgust?

If a gay man is attracted to the concept of having sex with other men, and he’s “born that way” and “cannot change,” then a straight man who is disgusted by gay men is also “born that way” and “cannot change.” If feelings are something we’re born with, then my disgust and revulsion at the sight of lesbians is just as valid as the feelings lesbians have. My intense urge to vomit when I see gay pride parades is just something I’m born with, and I can’t change who I am.

Right? That’s how it goes, isn’t it?

Castial_Zephyial

How is that billboard displaying “hate?” Hate is when you have the cowards of ISIS stoning to death a homosexual man. Or perhaps the countless other atrocities that you libs love to ignore from the Islamic Nazis. How about the hate that's spewed all over Israel? No, no, I guess you're right — this billboard is just as bad as the previous examples of hate.

Get a life and get a real cause to stand by.

brigott

We are all born sinful.

And sinfulness takes us into all kinds of unnatural stuff.

Blest

I keep in contact with some of the people I went to university with. One, a young lady who is a molecular biologist, said that gay rights activists are the #1 biggest obstacle currently blocking new discoveries in genetics. Apparently they have an enormous lobbying group that puts a stop to any study regarding what determines sexuality.

The way she put it, “Gay activists don’t want any evidence one way or another. If it (sexual preference) turns out to be genetic, there might be a cure for it. If it turns out that there’s no genetic reason for it, then it’s a lifestyle and a choice. Either way, the gay activists are against any research into it.”

godlovinmom

Big difference between the sin of homosexuality and let's say my sin: I do not go around MAKING everyone accept my sin :(

CivilShepherd

If people are born with predetermined sexual orientation, then the same could be said of animal lovers, incestuous siblings and many other “taboos.”

Don’t hate them just because they were born that way!

stephenb.net

For me this isn’t the point. Free speech is free speech. Nobody can tell them that the billboard shouldn’t be there unless they want the same scrutiny shown to atheist billboards that call God a myth, a fairy tale and a lie. I don’t care what you believe or how you present it as long as we all have the right to express ourselves without violence or destruction of property.

Crescendo

There is very little credible scientific evidence that people are born with a “gay gene” or even a “predisposition” to become homosexually attracted. Objectively, scientists have confirmed that identical twins (who share the same DNA) are not always both heterosexual nor homosexual. If there were a gene to determine sexual orientation — i.e., “gay gene" — this would occur. In fact, Meta analysis of studies examining identical twins yield percentages (of identical twins being both gay) as being less than 12%. This means that about 88% of the time, they are not both gay! Therefore there must be a variety of post-natal factors that contribute to homosexual feelings. Objectively, researchers have concluded that sex awareness does not even develop until the age of 18 months. Between the ages of 18 months to 36 months, a child becomes aware of differences in their sex & identifies more with the same or opposite sex. Objectively, among other factors, theorists believe that sex confusion may first result (subconsciously) when a child’s same-sex parent is absent, [emotionally and/or physically], or when the same-sex parent and/or peers cause(s) the child to experience negative emotional reactions/trauma when they are together. These factors, among others, may contribute to the later development of same-sex attractions. But if you don’t believe me, read Dr. Neil Whitehead’s book “My Genes Made Me Do It” from b-wire

BigDog2372

I’ve personally seen people change their orientations when they became Christians. A man at my church changed. I believe how you are raised and events that occur in your life CAN affect how you view your sexuality, but it is and always has been a choice. Those who say it isn’t are, for whatever reason, trying to delude themselves because they are self conscious about the choices they have made and are ashamed.

Think_Twice2

Well, at least they are accurate: “We believe twins research studies show nobody is born gay.”

Of course, the studies don’t show that and researchers don’t agree, but the group is quite right in stating this is their belief.

I’ve always thought the “people are born gay/straight” angle was foolish for both sides. Who cares if it’s either? The twins studies do show there’s a genetic component, but we haven’t identified it, and it likely doesn’t account for all gay people. The bigger issue is that, gay or straight, we shouldn’t hate others for an unharmful trait like sexual orientation. Lots of people do, and that’s a problem, but not one that making false claims will help.

Have a great day all!

alicat2441

I really don’t care what the billboard says, but I am getting sick and tired of everything being labeled “hate.”

“'I am shocked and really disappointed that at the end of 2014, we have a billboard in the middle of our city that says that kind of hate,' Beth Panilaitis…” Please tell me what is considered “hate” in the billboard? You may not like what it has to say, but it does not advocate the murder, beating, etc. of any homosexuals. So again, Ms. Panilaitis, just because you don’t like it doesn’t make it hateful.

ooniverse

All it says is “we believe…nobody is born gay.”

What’s the controversy? I believe bacon is the best pizza topping. It’s my belief. It doesn’t mean I hate you because you eat Hawaiian pizza, even if I hate cooked pineapple.

Just let people have their beliefs. Let people EXPRESS their beliefs with their constitutional rights.