Homosexuality is usually immutable

James Winterstein has insisted again that homosexuality isn't immutable because an immutable characteristic is one that cannot change. He asserts if even one homosexual has ever changed that would prove homosexuality is not immutable. He says he knows someone who changed thus homosexuality cannot be immutable. He thereby commits the error of logic called the fallacy of composition. He assumes what is true of part of a whole is true for the entire whole.

A demonstration that some homosexuals have changed would not prove that all homosexuals can. In order to prove that some peer-reviewed studies would have to be done. To date, no such studies exist. Studies showing sexual orientation is immutable in most homosexuals do exist.

The brief of the American Psychological Association to the Supreme Court in Romer v. Evans asserts homosexuality is an immutable trait. No major mental health organization supports therapy aimed at changing sexual orientation. Most national mental health and medical associations say homosexuality per se is a normal, healthy trait. The amicus brief found at apa.org/about/offices/ogc/amicus/Obergefell-supreme-court.pdf supports that point.

The courts sometimes use a different definition that Winterstein used. An immutable characteristic can also be one that is so fundamental to a person's identity or so difficult to change that change shouldn't be required.

It is a lot easier to discriminate against gays if homosexuality is deemed mutable. Courts have historically frowned on immutable traits being the basis of discrimination. That is why right-wingers fight so doggedly to define homosexuality as changeable.

This story was originally published October 12, 2016 at 5:39 PM with the headline "Homosexuality is usually immutable."