FACT SHEET

SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND CHOICE


*	In the debate concerning the military's ban on 
lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals, there has been substantial 
confusion around the issue of sexual orientation and 
choice.  Some supporters of the ban have argued that 
because the current biological inquiry into the origins of 
sexual orientation are still inconclusive, it is likely, still 
probable, or simply unknown whether homosexuality is a 
matter of choice.  This is not true.

*	Psychological and psychiatric research concludes 
that sexual orientation is a core part of an individual's 
identity.  For most people, sexual orientation, 
homosexuality or heterosexuality, is a central component 
of an individual's identity by early adolescence and this 
aspect of an individual's identity is not subject to external 
manipulation.  What the current biological research is 
attempting to do, and what is still inconclusive, is to 
determine the origins of sexual orientation:  Is it 
determined by biology or environment? 

*	Dr. Gregory Herek, who recently testified before the 
House Armed Services Committee, summed up these 
conclusions in an article appearing in  Law and Sexuality 
(Summer 1991):  "The assertion that homosexuality is a 
choice that can be changed is erroneous for the vast 
majority of lesbians and gay men.  Although the origins of 
sexual orientation are not well understood, neither 
heterosexuality nor homosexuality appear to represent a 
conscious choice for most people."

*	John C. Gonsiorek, perhaps the foremost authority 
on the issue of sexuality and choice, agrees.  In his 
introductory chapter to Homosexuality:  Research 
Implications for Public Policy, he says:  "It might appear to 
outsiders that individuals going through this process have 
'chosen' their homosexuality.  We suggest that the term 
'sexual preference' is misleading as it assumes conscious 
or deliberate choice and may trivialize the depth of 
psychological processes involved.  We recommend the 
term 'sexual orientation' because most research findings 
indicate that homosexual feelings are a basic part of an 
individual's psyche and are established much earlier than 
conscious choice would indicate."

*	Chandler Burr in his recent article, "Homosexuality 
and Biology," The Atlantic Monthly (March 1993), came to 
the same conclusions.  Burr stated that "psychiatry not 
only consistently failed to show that homosexuality was a 
preference, a malleable thing, susceptible to reversal, it 
also consistently failed to show that homosexuality was a 
pathology." 

*	The American Psychological Association recently set 
forth its position on sexuality and choice in an amicus brief 
filed before the Supreme Court of Texas in the case of 
Texas v. Morales.  The APA said that "sexual orientation 
generally is a characteristic over which individuals lack a 
substantial degree of control.  To punish an individual for 
an essentially 'immutable' characteristic, based upon false 
stereotypes, when that characteristic is in no meaningful 
sense detrimental or harmful to society is arbitrary."

*	The APA also stated:  "Sexual orientation is acquired 
at an early age, and thus it makes little sense to argue that 
the trait is voluntarily acquired."  Further, the APA 
maintains that "Once established, homosexual orientation 
is highly resistant to change. Researchers generally agree 
that the majority of gay people are unable to change their 
sexual orientation, even if they wished to do so."

*	On the issue of whether people can change their 
sexual orientation, Douglas C. Halderman concluded in an 
article appearing in Homosexuality:  Research Implications 
for Public Policy that "empirical studies fail to show any 
evidence that conversion therapies do what they purport 
to do:  change sexual orientation."

*	The American Psychological Association's 'Fact Sheet 
on Reparative Therapy' opens with the following 
statement:  "No scientific evidence exists to support the 
effectiveness of any of the conversion therapies that try to 
change sexual orientation."  Bryant Welch, APA's executive 
director for professional practice, recently stated:  "[these] 
research findings suggest that efforts to 'repair' 
homosexuals are nothing more than social prejudice 
garbed in psychological accoutrements."

*	The research is abundant and clear.  Sexual 
orientation is not a matter of choice and it cannot be 
changed.  Those who argue that the military can and 
should enforce its ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual soldiers 
because gay people can choose their sexual orientation 
ignores the wealth of scientific research in the area.  
Douglas Halderman put it well:  "We do gay men and 
lesbians, and society as a whole, a disservice by 
perpetuating the myth that sexual orientation can be 
changed."



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Prepared by the Legal/Policy Department of the Campaign 
for Military Service.   2707 Massachussetts Ave, NW   
Washington, DC 20009.  (202) 265-6666.