Born This Way

In a recent opinion article in the New York Times from July 31, 2024 titled “Are Queer people born this way?” the author reviews the notion of “Born This Way” as a complicated way to define queerness and would rather people use the term “Formed This Way”. The author states that “The emerging scientific consensus is that sexual orientation isn’t purely genetic. A person’s genetic makeup and exposure to prenatal hormones may provide a propensity to queerness, but they aren’t determinative. Other factors most likely also play a role.” I am no scientist, but from conversations I held with friends from the Queer community, one expressed to me: “Just like the fact I was born with blue eyes and had no say in this matter, so is the fact I am gay – I was born this way.” Whether people are born this way or formed this way, it is time we accept whichever way. Time to stop labeling people and accept them for who they are.