Is homosexuality a mental illness?

[nclib]

There seems to be a consensus that homosexuality is not a choice, so I figured I'd ask this question.

Of course, I vote no.

[Ebowed]

No (D)

[Gabu]

Those who are homosexual obviously have something in their brain that is different from those who are heterosexual, but the word "illness" tends to denote that it necessarily creates a negative impact on both the person and those around the person.  The only negative impact created through someone being gay is through people yelling at the person that he's going to hell and that God hates him, etc., etc.

So, no, I would not say it's a mental illness any more than being left-handed is a mental illness.

[Jake]

No, it's simply an abnormality like having six fingers.

[Alcon]

No, it's simply an abnormality like having six fingers.

Or being named Mike.

You don't have to necessarily use an example with a negative connotation.

[Jake]

Having six fingers is actually beneficial. Look at Antonio Alfonseca. He gets alot of extra movement on his fastball because of his sixth finger.

[afleitch]

No. End of input.

[Speed of Sound]

Is it mental? yes. Is it a mental illness? No.

[Alcon]

Having six fingers is actually beneficial. Look at Antonio Alfonseca. He gets alot of extra movement on his fastball because of his sixth finger.

He can actually move his sixth finger?

That would actually be pretty cool.

[Jake]

Move it? Not sure. It affects how he throws and grips the ball though.

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

I would have to guess that it's a hormone imbalance (we all have male and female hormones, it's just my theory), but an illness means it has a physical, negative effcts on the body, which it does not. 

No (D)

[Emsworth]

I would have to guess that it's a hormone imbalance (we all have male and female hormones, it's just my theory), but an illness means it has a physical, negative effcts on the body, which it does not.

Strictly speaking, it does have a negative effect -- discouraging "survival" (i.e., reproduction).

[Max Power]

No (D)

[jokerman]

I do think it is partly mentally related, yes.

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

I would have to guess that it's a hormone imbalance (we all have male and female hormones, it's just my theory), but an illness means it has a physical, negative effcts on the body, which it does not.

Strictly speaking, it does have a negative effect -- discouraging "survival" (i.e., reproduction).

O cmon, let's get back to reality here.  Homosexuality is not threatening the human race. 

[Emsworth]

I would have to guess that it's a hormone imbalance (we all have male and female hormones, it's just my theory), but an illness means it has a physical, negative effcts on the body, which it does not.

Strictly speaking, it does have a negative effect -- discouraging "survival" (i.e., reproduction).

O cmon, let's get back to reality here.  Homosexuality is not threatening the human race. 

I don't mean that it threatens the human race. I mean that something that discourages reproduction is biologically considered a negative effect.

[Democratic Hawk]

No (D)

Dave

[CheeseWhiz]

No, definitely not (L)

[MODU]

There seems to be a consensus that homosexuality is not a choice, so I figured I'd ask this question.

Of course, I vote no.

Who makes up this consensus?  Most people I know (including homosexuals) view it as a choice and not genetic predispositioning.

[MissCatholic]

Yes. Homosexuality is nurtured. People who are gay tend to be people raised in very hostile environments. either through parents, being bullied, failing to socially interact.

they suffer from the same thing that devout christians, devout racists etc. what they think is instuitionilized. religious people dont know anything different. if you wiped out poverty, you would wipe out religion. just aske australia, uk, sweden, denmark etc who have around 5-10% church attendence.

going of point, but when you go to church tomorrow think about what it would be like if it 10% full? thats what its like in the secualr world and they aint nothing we can do about it as they dont religion as they have enough hope and it isnt instiutionalized at birth.

[jokerman]

Since when do middle and upper class people don't go to church?

[opebo]

Since when do middle and upper class people don't go to church?

Very few of them do, Prude Kramer. 

[afleitch]

People who are gay tend to be people raised in very hostile environments. either through parents, being bullied, failing to socially interact.

I take great offence to that! I was raised in a big and loving family by my Mum and Dad, went to church, (I'm Catholic too) was raised to be tolerant. I was not bullied, UNTIL people found out I was gay and I had many close friends. I was not lacking in anything whether it be companionship or parental love.

And 'we suffer from the same things that devout racists' do? How dare you compare us to racists. I grew up in a very very straight family and environment and I ended up gay. End of story. Don't be a 'couch psycho-analasyst.' Especially when there is evidence to the contrary.

[A18]

Of course, I vote no.

Yeah, I prefer "disorder" to "illness."

[Richard]

I would have to guess that it's a hormone imbalance (we all have male and female hormones, it's just my theory), but an illness means it has a physical, negative effcts on the body, which it does not.

Strictly speaking, it does have a negative effect -- discouraging "survival" (i.e., reproduction).

In SOME cases.  Homosexuality is fun.