That “it’s a lifestyle choice” or “it’s an illness” (?!) rhetoric stems from a place of homophobia. It’s used to justify conversion therapy, which is nothing but extraordinarily damaging and abusive (and not effective). “Political correctness” is there for a reason — words cause very real damage, especially queer and trans youth. The damage is especially painful when the assertions are factually inaccurate as “it’s a lifestyle choice” or “it’s an illness” rhetoric is. There have been multiple studies that have linked queerness to part of the X chromosome. By all objective indications, it looks very genetic, and by anecdotal indications, it’s not a conscious choice. The best response I’ve heard someone say to another who questioned if sexual orientation is a choice is, “When did you decide to be straight?” I’ve never found a straight person who has an answer to that.

And I can’t believe I have to take the time to say this now or ever, but being queer or trans doesn’t make you “sick.” Queerness and transness are not illnesses (or “pathogens”). Being queer or trans is 100% normal.

While I shared my feelings of confusion on here, I stated very, very clearly at the end of the article that the takeaway is not that sexual orientation is a choice or wrong, and interpreting my article as such completely misses the point. Wondering if sexual orientation is a choice, just like wondering if I was responsible for my rape, doesn’t equate to it actually being true.

I take offense to my article being twisted for anti-political-correctness or anti-queer arguments. Please don’t do that. It’s a tremendous insult to me and to queer and trans survivors of violence everywhere.