Reinforcing the Heterosexist Totality

The following is a discussion board post for my class Intro to LGBT Studies. The assignment was to read two articles, each citing different causes for same-sex attraction (one even calling it a disorder), then answer the question:

What are examples of cited causes of same sex attraction?  Do you agree or disagree with the causes?  Please explain.

I believe I should start out by saying that to me personally, the very notion that we should be searching for, and in many cases even be interested in, a way to explain the causes of same sex attraction is offensive and inherently heterosexist. I believe it is a notion that is deeply rooted in a worldview where non-normative sexualities are undervalued—indeed, completely unvalued—until such time that they can be “explained” in a way that acceptably proves their legitimacy.

Instances supporting this belief abound. Hundred of studies have been published, purporting to somehow show that non-normative sexualities are caused by genetics, caused by socialization, caused by traumatic experiences, etc. Even those studies that hope to somehow prove through their conclusions that LGBTQ people have no choice in their sexualities, and thus should not be blamed, ridiculed, or discriminated against for them, only play into the heterosexist argument that the validity of non-normative sexualities should be up for debate in the first place. Conversely, hundreds of studies have also been published similar to Dr. Rick Fitzgibbons’, which offensively refer to same-sex attraction as a disorder, and only serve one purpose: to “prove” the legitimacy of already flawed hypotheses and preconceived notions about LGBTQ people and their bodies.

And so, it is with this strongly-held belief that the very search for the cause(s) of non-normative sexualities necessarily reinforces the oppressive, patriarchal, heterosexist Totality, that I respectfully decline to comment on the Fitzgibbons and McKnight articles any further than to say that I not only disagree with their findings, but that I also take issue with the entire scientific and medical community as a whole for the absurd charade they continue to advance. Whether it be in the name of treatment, in the name of care, in the name of tolerance, or in the name of progress, it makes no difference.

I will not add my name to its list of adherents.