Gay genetics, slash and the right to hate

[meira_q <mb2910@hotmail.com>]

I wrote earlier:

If being gay or straight or bi isn't about personal taste and 
preference, then what *is*? Be it genetics, personal choice or 
whatever you'd like to think  makes someone gay or straight or bi, it 
*is* what you prefer. It's who you are personally attracted to.


Lurking Linda wrote:

OK - so when did you CHOOSE to by straight?  Do you remember that 
decision? How old were you when you decided to be attracted to member 
of the opposite sex?

Or is your attraction to members of the opposite sex just "natural" 
for you? If something is "natural" is it really a "choice"?


Me again:

It isn't a *conscious and willing* choice. People don't sit and 
ponder "do I want to be gay or straight?" "do I want to be right 
handed or left handed?" "do I want to like or hate mushrooms on my 
pizza?"

You just do. And those are your preferences.
Imagine a gay man. Naturally, he will prefer having a relationship 
with another man, and not with a woman.How would you call that if 
not "preferences"?

He can choose wether to have a relationship with a man or with a 
woman.

Since I'm not a native English speaker, I might not be aware of the 
existance of a word that better describes this than "preferences". I 
am always willing to increase my vocabulary...

Meira (perfecting the art of procrastination)