Because sexuality is complex and a product of more than one variable, broadly including both biology and environment. For example, birth order appears to sometimes play a key role in the development of male sexuality due to the ways a mother's body responds to a male fetus; a hypothetical set of twin brothers might not be treated the exact same way in the womb. Identical twins have different sets of fingerprints on account of both biological and environmental factors, but it's not because choice had anything to do with it. In fact, since having a gay twin drastically increases the odds that one will be gay him/herself, a biological correlation is demonstrated.Then how come, in the case of identical twins who share the exact same genes, there are numerous cases where one is a homosexual and is not?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biology_and_sexual_orientation
A person's sexual orientation is not typically subject to change later in life, although it's possible. Common, for example, might be that someone with a predisposition to bisexuality could go back and forth, or that someone in a same-sex prison population would prefer same-sex experiences to no sex experiences. Every reputable medical and psychological association I'm aware of considers sexuality more-or-less inflexible by a certain age, and more importantly, they consider conversion therapy both ineffective and dangerous. Sexuality, although usually not subject to change, can be fluid in some individuals and have nothing to do with choice.Or what about when someone changes their orientation later in life? If their orientation was genetics this would not be possible.
I should also note that it wouldn't really matter if one's sexuality were a choice with regard to this conversation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_orientation#Fluidity
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conversion_therapy
That's like saying that in a world where only same-sex marriage were legal, heterosexuals would have the same rights as homosexuals. Heterosexuals want a special, additional right.Homosexuals already have the same rights as heterosexuals, the right to marry someone of the opposite sex. Gays want a special, additional right.
That would also be like saying that in a world where same-race marriage were all that were legal, everyone would have the same right: to marry someone of the same race. Biracial couples want a special, additional right.
We've been down this line of "reasoning" before.
HIV (particularly the immunosuppression involved), along with other sexually transmitted infections such as HPV, apparently lead to an increased risk of various cancers. This is true regardless of one's sexuality; plenty of gay people are without sexually transmitted infections and without those increased risks of cancers, and plenty of straight people have sexualy transmitted infections and an increased risk for associated cancers. While a good opportunity to preach about the importance of safe sex, regardless of one's sexuality, it's not particularly relevant to our conversation.How about a 9000% increase in risk of anal-cancer?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immunosuppression
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_papillomavirus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safe_sex
There is no demonstrable correlation between homosexuality and an increased likelihood of child molestation. If you're looking for a correlation between a variable and child molestation, I would recommend you look at Catholic priesthood or other forms of forced celibacy.Child molestation?
http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/faculty_sites/rainbow/html/facts_molestation.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-LGBT_rhetoric#Conflation_with_child_abuse
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_sex_abuse_cases
With regard to closeted homosexuals, there is a correlation between homosexuality and mental disorders such as depression. This is likely the result of the anxieties associated with living in an intolerant society. One of the reasons cited in favor of gay marriage is the improved mental health of LGBT individuals.Mental disorders?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthcare_and_the_LGBT_community#Mental_Health_and_Suicide
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same-sex_marriage#Health
In reality, the children of gay parents are as psychologically healthy and well-adjusted as children raised by heterosexual parents. You might know better if you weren't citing resources such as the Family Research Council, a group dedicated to anti-gay activism that has been known to spread blatant misinformation and has been officially categorized as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.Children of homosexual couples:
Are much more likely to have received welfare (IBF 17%; LM 69%; GF 57%)
Have lower educational attainment
Report less safety and security in their family of origin
Report more ongoing "negative impact" from their family of origin
Are more likely to suffer from depression
Have been arrested more often
If they are female, have had more sexual partners--both male and female
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_parenting
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_Research_Council