Video: Notion of Gayness as a ‘Choice’ Nearly Led One Teenager to Suicide

7 Comments

1. 

   Phil September 30, 2009 at 5:11 pm -

   What a powerful video! Kudos to you for being yourself and for choosing life. Your story is one that is shared by so many people. Thank you for putting into crystal clear words the struggle and turmoil that so many people have been through.

2. 

   Michael Collins September 30, 2009 at 6:55 pm -

   This video says so much. To give myself confidence in coming out in the 8-0s and 90s I would tell myself, “Why would I wish to mask myself to accommodate some bigot?” The choice lie is another lie from the right wing. The right wing brought us George W. Bush, McCarthyism, Jim Crow, the KKK, human slavery, the Nazi holocaust in Europe. Always the right wing to torment EVERY generation, and now tormenting gays.

3. 

   William October 2, 2009 at 4:36 am -

   Excellent video. Those who seriously think that being gay is a choice are devoid of insight into human psychology.

   People’ sexuality generally emerges into full consciousness at the very period of life when the desire to be exactly like everyone else — especially like one’ peers — and the dread of being in any way different are at their height. It’ this that so often leads otherwise sensible teenagers to do stupid and even dangerous things, e.g. getting into drugs.

   As Anne (of Green Gables) said to Marilla, her guardian:

   “But I’d rather look ridiculous when everybody else does than plain and sensible all by myself.”

   It is scarcely credible that anyone can be sufficiently obtuse as to imagine that, at that time of life, people actually CHOOSE a different sexuality from that of the majority.

4. 

   Rev. Dr. Charlie Arehart October 3, 2009 at 1:29 pm -

   Your video is powerful, so much so I’m sending it to our Deacons here at Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, and friends in Parents and Friends of Lesbian and Gays.

   Being Gay is not a choice any more than being heterosexual is a choice. Our sexual orientation is a given we either accept or fight. Acceptance brings us happiness, authenticity, and a meaningful fulfilled life. Fighting who we are results in internal turmoil, bad decisions, failed attempts at marriage, suicide, and an unhappy life of regrets.

   I applaud you for sharing your struggle with candor and eleoquence.

   Enjoy your life! God is smiling with approval and will continue to bless you for not destroying that special someone(you)God created with accurate precision.

   Charlie Arehart

5. 

   Patrick Fitzgerald October 10, 2009 at 8:58 pm -

   Full transcript is here if anyone wants to use it–no credit necessary.

6. 

   Patrick Fitzgerald October 10, 2009 at 9:01 pm -

   That didn’t seem to work. Try it now: Transcript

7. 

   Alan October 17, 2009 at 11:51 pm -

   Wow. This video almost exactly describes what I went through as a teenager. I am bisexual but during those years I suppressed my homoerotic urges under the misconception that I could “choose” to be straight. That belief in that supposed “choice” led me to attempt suicide several times , one nearly resulting in my death. The fact that I had these urges led me to believe that I was a terrible person, one who did not deserve to live. This belief that homosexuality was a choice, led to major depression, A complete loss of self worth and esteem, and other issues which continue to this day.By teaching kids that this is a “choice”, Those who pretend to be morally superior are in fact teaching kids who are gay or bisexual to internalize homophobia and, thus, hate themselves. They refuse to believe that sexuality is complicated and instead force their hatred and ignorance upon those who are most susceptible. Thank you very much for this powerful video.