Hi Bulgogiboy
As I mentioned I am sure there are a number of reasons for homosexuality - I wouldn't doubt that some of it is hormonal but I would be surprised if 'box standard' gay men were hormonally any different from heterosexual men (perhaps there is some hormonal effect during gestation). By 'box standard' I mean gay men who don't want to be women as this is IMHO a different state, and do not exhibit any more feminine characteristics than your average heterosexual man (whatever one of them is). Your comment leads me to think that you presuppose that sexuality is binary - gay/straight - in fact I think it is accepted that sexuality is far more complex than that (apologies if I have misinterpreted your view). Sexual relationships, it seems to me, are about some form of relationship (however transient) between two (or more - kinky!) people and not necessarily just about two pieces of roughly compatible genitalia and their proximity to each other.
I wouldn't say that intolerance of gay people is widespread in the UK although it is certainly present in abundance in some segments of the community. As is just about every form of prejudice conceivable. When prejudice is expressed this is more about public behaviour than being being gay per se. I suspect most people never even give it a thought.
As for your own feelings, I guess you feel the way you do and that's all there is to it. I would ask you to think (if you haven't already!) a bit about WHY you feel that way. If another person's way of life or characteristics don't suit you then provided they aren't forcing you or other non-consensual parties to join in, why on earth do you even give it a second thought? Life is short - live your own:)
From my own opinion, in the absence of strong religious attachments, fear of difference is a big factor (I suspect we are wired to react that way to difference as a protection mechanism). I know members of my own family who are very racist. If you ask them why, they often don't have a rational explanation. I suspect it is because other races are different and difference makes us uncomfortable. I am uncomfortable with Transvestites, Drag Artists and Transexuality - I don't know why, I suspect it's difference again, however that's my problem and not theirs. Some of my own discomfort definitely comes from my not being able to imagine why they feel the way they do.
As for what is and isn't natural; I agree that we cannot bear children (at least the blokes can't without a certain amount of rearrangement of plumbing). Having said that, many heterosexual people have sex purely for pleasure with no intention of bearing kids, some are celibate (for lots of different reasons) and sex is also an expression of intimacy and love for many - whether or not they intend to procreate. You also appear to be assuming that straight sex consists of one part of a man's anatomy entering the approprate orifice of a woman - that is certainly how babies are made usually but it isn't the only form of sex performed by humans (whatever their sexuality). So just because a particular piece of your plumbing is good for one job, doesn't mean it can't be equally used for other tasks does it? (unless of course you have some sort of manual forbidding it, yes we all know a selection of purported manuals don't we?).
I would say this: it is not, for many, an easy way to live - at least when we are young. It is not, for many, a choice. My life would have been a great deal easier if I had been heterosexual. However I am what I am (you will have to hum the tune), and I now accept that. Others may not accept me and that's their problem unless they want to impose their views on me - that is why the law is so enacted (in the UK at least) to protect vulnerable sections of society from the prejudices of others.
Sorry for the rambling answer. I hope I didn't appear prickly about it because I think it is very honest to ask the questions you have raised. I speak only for myself and my own experience of course and not for 'my community' (whatever the hell that is).
Finally, with no personal disrespect intended, I am not interested in hearing what the Bible (or any other 'holy book') does or does not say on the matter either way.
