Sex And The Cindy

It seems Cynthia Nixon has ruffled feathers by saying she chose to be gay.  I don't get the backlash.  There are many ways to be straight, there surely must be many ways to be gay.  I have known people who would easily fall into either class.  When it comes to a group so large and diverse, it's safe to say there are no blanket rules.


Nixon's reply was awesome:

"I understand that for many people it's not, but for me it's a choice, and you don't get to define my gayness for me," Nixon said while recounting some of the flak gay rights activists previously had given her for treading in similar territory. "A certain section of our community is very concerned that it not be seen as a choice, because if it's a choice, then we could opt out. I say it doesn't matter if we flew here or we swam here, it matters that we are here and we are one group and let us stop trying to make a litmus test for who is considered gay and who is not."

This doesn't make it right to claim that all gay men and women choose to be gay.  It doesn't make it right to claim that it's always genetic or physically rooted.  She rightfully gets to tell her truth and contribute towards the understanding of who she is.  This doesn't lessen the stupidity of those who think there is a "cure"or that being gay is a disease that could / should be fixed.  Stifling truth is never right, that I know.  


It's important the gay community pull together and support the larger cause.  For example, education that is honest and says that you don't have to fit a certain criteria to be considered "really" gay.  It is unfair to deny that people can choose their lifestyle, and is equally asinine to deny homosexuality may involve a genetic or physical component.  The two may coincide, where a genetic predisposition comes down to environment and choice, another version of nature vs. nurture.  What is obvious is that the squabbling isn't helping anyone, and may even be an obstacle for learning more and understanding this growing segment of our population.