Many people, seem to believe that gays and
lesbians are simply "born that way".

But since we know that even heterosexuals are
not "born that way," this explanation seems
unlikely. Despite extensive research, no
consistent evidence has been found for genetic or
hormonal factors that might predispose individuals
toward homosexuality - or, for that matter, toward
any of the other acts or preferences that occur in
the vast spectrum of human sexual experience.

Those who offer a biological explanation for
homosexuality seem to do so, in fact, only because
they can think of no other. But biological
factors cannot explain the different extent of
homosexuality in different societies at different
times, or the changes of sexual orientation that
may take place during the lifetime of an individual.

Homosexuality, like any other sexual behaviour ranging
from oral sex to sadomasochism to a pursuit of
blondes or brunettes, is learned.

We might well ask how people learn their eventual
sexual orientation - and, more specifically, why
do some become homosexual in the face of so much
discouragement in the socialisation process?

Several theories have been offered ranging from
early experiences, family environment, social
learning, self-labeling, cultural, religious,
and so on.

Cultural beliefs strongly influence the self-
definition that the individual makes.

ALTRAV, your last post is nastier than usual. It is not how normal Australians talk. That is just your justification for saying things which are unjustifiable. As moderator my attention has been drawn to your post. The part that I find most obnoxious is your antisemitism. BP might have brought Hitler in, but you've provided ample justification for his introduction of it.

There is no evidence that Jews were responsible for the holocaust, or punishment of homosexuals. And why would there be? It was something done to Jews systematically and indiscriminately by the Nazis. In the annals of human brutality it stands out as an extreme.

It seems you have some sort of a pathological problem with Jews, and that says something about you.

Your posts lower the tone of the forum to a stage where even those with a robust sense of what is fair in debate do not want to engage with you. I am considering banning you permanently.

This Forum is a very important space for the
exchange of views.

The internet can be
compared to a public forum, akin to a public
street or park. We have to be careful of our
rhetoric.

ALTRAV's posts have made me cringe
many times in the past.
His latest rant was disgusting.
It even had Joe (Loudmouth)
shocked.

ALTRAV has argued many times about his right
to free speech.

However, free speech does not give anyone
the right to vilify marginalised
groups on the basis of their gender, race, religion,
or sexuality.

I wish to Thank our Moderator Graham Y., for taking the
stand that he has.

Thank you, Graham.

Dear Foxy,

Not so much 'shocked' as, to use your term, 'disgusted'.

Regards,

Joe

PS. It's complicated but I had four 'grandfathers', and my favourite was my grandmother's Hungarian Jewish partner. He taught math at Ultimo. He'd been interned early in the War as an alien, then after the War, broke his back falling off the roof, so I spent a lot of time with him one way or another in Gymea while he recuperated, and afterwards. He wasn't observant, playing his guitar on a Friday night and getting merry. He and my granny were nudists, so we spent a bit of time down around Heathcote. He'd lost all of his relations except a brother fighting with Tito's partisans and a cousin in Rumania; he had brought out his mother in the thirties. That was it. So he and my English work-house granny were the only grandparents who I really ever knew. Always remembered with love.

Graham, I understand your caught between a rock and a hard place, but please understand that the things I say come from others.
I have witnessed them in every medium from literature to documentaries to researched papers.
I may not be able to produce the proof or origin of these stories because they are historical.
Never-the-less, they are no less true than they are confronting, and that's why I speak of them.
I am at odds to understand exactly what is the problem for speaking openly and honestly.
The things I say, the words I use, are not of my origin but they are well entrenched in the Aussie vernacular, and common everyday language in Australia, over the 60 odd years I have lived and interacted with all walks of life, from bikies to Prime Ministers, to kings and Sultans.
In each case I adopt the appropriate language and tenure as is appropriate for each situation.
I find it incomprehensible and unforgivable that I am questioned over what is my natural, unfettered and honest form of communication.
Unfortunately for OLO, it does not have a detailed and extensive list of sample words or phrases it prohibits, and therefore trusts us to edit our own submissions.
I believe I do exactly that.
I fully expect "push-back" from the other commentors, because they may disagree with my comments.
I do not understand the OLO's stance on what is essentially interactions between groups, factions and individuals.
Graham, I won't go on, I find it pointless if I am to be judged by one group and not everyone.
Anyway, in the interest of truth and facts, I might ask you look up my details in my original sign up on OLO, and look over my "BIO".
If you need I can happily send you my info via email if the BIO access fails.
I offer this so as to give a clearer picture as to my position.
Thank you.

.

Dear Foxy,

.

Whether it be due to nature or nurture, the dividing line between male and female is often extremely fine. In some cases, it’s almost invisible or even non-existent.

I guess, as we go through life, many of us walk down the line not knowing if we’re walking straight and actually treading on it or not – could be that sometimes we’re on one side, sometimes on the other.

Quite frankly, I don’t think it really matters, as long as we accept ourselves as we are, or at least, as we imagine ourselves to be, right throughout life’s journey.

The problem is not how we see ourselves. It’s how others see us. Not what we think of ourselves. What others think of us.

Unfortunately, we have no control over how others see us or think they see us. That is determined by their own vision, humanity (or lack of it), intelligence, education, experience, sense of values and prejudices.

All we can count on is our own loving family, or whoever nurtures us, to help us through the early years and give us the means to see us through, undaunted and (hopefully) relatively unscathed, come what may.

.