Expert: Joe McSorley - 12/31/2005

Question
I am wondering what a Buddhist would say regarding the subject of homosexuality.  Can sexual orientation be changed.  I have a feeling that it can change because everything is impermanent.  I would really like your ideas on this matter.  Thank you.  

Answer
Dear Sarah,
  
I cannot speak for all Buddhism and there is no one Buddhist view of things.  I don't know if sexual orientation can be changed or what the mechanics of particular sexual orientation is and I don't know if science knows either. Religions offer an opinion on it based on their own agenda and history but these are conditioned by their limited view of reality. If it is a product of environment then it might be able to change but if it is a product of genetics then it is not likely to be changed.  I don't recall ever choosing my sexual orientation so is this a fact of genetics or being raised in society?  I don't know.  I don't like butterscotch, whether this is a choice, some genetic artifact or some conditioning is unknown to me but it really doesn't matter; I just don't like it and that is neither good or bad. I did not choose the color of my eyes but that's a given. Can they be changed, yes, but is that what they are in nature, probably not.  What is the judgment on sexual orientation and why rely on one groups perspective on it?
  If everything is impermanent then heterosexuality is on as tenuous ground as homosexuality is; neither are permanent or fixed, so I don't understand how understanding the impermanence of things is comforting here.  That something can change does not effect the probability of it changing.  Is there a value to sexuality, an intrinsic goodness or badness to it and who makes an ultimate determination?  I don't see nature having a problem about these things it is only humans who place these values on it.
In the realm of morals and ethnics there has been a tremendous amount of problems caused by heterosexual behavior over the centuries so is it a matter of sexuality or of the conduct of the individual regardless of their orientation?
  I don't know if this has been of any help to you but I hope it has.
Take care,
          Joe