Being gay is not a “choice”

I wonder if Mr. Ridpath (Letters, Jan. 2) can remember the day he chose his sexuality? That magical day when he was presented with the choice to be attracted to men or women?

Personally, I cannot ever remember being faced with that choice, no more than I can remember the day I got to choose my skin color or the family I was born into.

Perhaps the gay community would not be at such high risk of suicide, guilt, depression and shame if we did not try to convince them that their sexual preference is a choice and something they should be able to “quit” as if it is a bad habit.

Perhaps instead of encouraging gay youth to seek counsel we should be letting them know that we support and care for them as they are. Canada is a land of diverse cultures, nationalities and sexualities. There is no shame in that and no one should be made to feel guilty for who they are.

Ryan Oliver
Iqaluit