What causes homosexuality Peter Tatchell? Well it depends on which view is most politically convenient at the time

Yesterday in Parliament I attended a meeting where four leading figures engaged in a lively debate on therapy for those with unwanted feelings of same-sex attraction.

The debate focussed on the legitimacy of, and freedom to offer, ‘change therapy’ (more accurately SOCEs - sexual orientation change efforts), which is aimed at altering the strength and direction of sexual feelings.

Dr Michael Davidson of CORE Issues (who is about to undergo a disciplinary procedure for using it) and Canadian psychiatrist Dr Joseph Berger (who uses it regularly) were supporting change therapy.

Psychiatrist Professor Michael King (who is its most vehement critic) and gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell were against it.

Although members of the mainstream press were present the debate has so far been reported only by Christian Concern, Pink News and Gay Star News.

Tatchell and King essentially argued that homosexual orientation was biologically caused and fixed, that change was impossible and that change therapies were damaging and unethical.

I will come back to King in another blog but I was particularly intrigued by the hard line position taken by Tatchell.

Tatchell (pictured) summed up his position on the causes of homosexuality by dismissing cultural and environmental factors: ‘The overwhelming mass of scientific and medical evidence shows that homosexual orientation is the product of inheritance and hormonal influences in the womb.’

King, the scientist, wasn’t anywhere as dogmatic about this and suggested that no one really knew the cause. Tatchell, however, firmly stood his ground.

To those who are acquainted with Tatchell’s writings this announcement marked a huge departure from his previous stance. Rather than accept the view that people are born gay, he has actually been one of its chief opponents.

On his own website in an article titled ‘Born or Made Gay?’ he argues as follows:

‘Something as complex and pivotal as human emotional and sexual life is bound to evolve from a multiplicity of factors, rather than from any single, simple origin… biological determinist models of gayness suggest that same-sex attraction is largely or entirely determined by our genes and hormonal influences in the womb. It is an innate desire, fixed at birth….

This was the central thesis of the recent book, Born Gay, by Glenn Wilson, a Reader at the Institute of Psychiatry in London , and Qazi Rahman, a lecturer in psychobiology at the University of East London . Their book is easily the best summary of evidence from dozens of biological studies into the causes and correlates of homosexuality.

They conclude that sexual orientation is overwhelmingly innate. Social or family influences have little or no impact. Blaming parents and childhood upbringing for a child's gayness is mistaken and unfair. The idea that people become gay by seduction or choice is, they say, not supported by scientific research and empirical evidence…

The authors are right to say that biological factors play a role. Studies of identical twin brothers show that in 52% of cases where one twin is gay the other twin is also gay (Note - later studies suggest this figure is closer to 20%). This is a much higher concordance than the 2% to 10% distribution of gay people in the general population, as recorded by various sex surveys. It suggests a significant genetic component in the causality of homosexuality - and, presumably, in the origins of heterosexuality as well.

Wilson and Rahman argue the other determinant of sexual orientation is hormonal exposure during pregnancy. They document studies showing differences between gay and straight people with respect to a number of physiological traits that are associated with hormonal influences...

This is convincing stuff, but not entirely so. If genes determine our sexual orientation we would expect that in cases of identical twins where one was gay the other would be gay too – in every case. But, in fact, in only just over half the cases are both twins gay. The same lack of complete concordance is found in hormone-associated physical attributes.

These exceptions lead me to conclude that while genes and hormones may, like male birth order, predispose a person to a particular sexual orientation, they do not determine it. They are significant influences, not the sole cause. Other factors are also at work. Social expectations, cultural values and peer pressure, for instance, help push many of us towards heterosexuality...

Wilson's and Rahman's biological determinist thesis has another major flaw. If we are all born either gay or straight, how do they explain people who switch in mid-life from fulfilled heterosexuality to fulfilled homosexuality (and vice versa)?

The authors have no credible explanation for bisexuality; claiming it barely exists… Much as I would love to go along with the fashionable ‘born gay' consensus (it would be very politically convenient), I can't. The evidence does not support the idea that sexuality is a fixed biological given.’


In another article on his website he takes an even stronger position:

‘Sexual orientation is largely or entirely determined by our genes and hormonal influences in the womb. It is an innate given, fixed at birth. Forget Freudian theory and all the other psycho babble. Biology is destiny.

This is the central thesis of Born Gay. I disagree…. If sexuality was predetermined at birth by genes and hormones, it would be impossible for young Sambian males to switch to homosexuality and then back to heterosexuality with such apparent ease. This suggests there is an element of flexibility in sexual orientation, and that cultural traditions and social mores are also influential factors.

Born gay? No. Human sexuality is too varied and complex to be reduced to a simple equation of genes plus hormones.


When asked at the debate whether his views had changed Tatchell said that they had. When asked why, he said it was a result of reading ‘Born gay?’

But ‘Born gay?’ was written in 2008 and yet just last year in January 2012 Tatchell wrote an article for the Huffington Post titled ‘Future Sex: Beyond Gay and straight’ in which he takes exactly the same position as that expressed on his website:

‘We already know, thanks to a host of sex surveys, that bisexuality is an fact of life and that even in narrow-minded, homophobic cultures, many people have a sexuality that is, to varying degrees, capable of both heterosexual and homosexual attraction.

It is also apparent that same-sex relations flourish, albeit often temporarily, in single-sex institutions like schools, prisons and the armed forces - which suggests that sexuality might be more flexible than many people assume.

(Kinsey) found that human sexuality is, in fact, a continuum of desires and behaviours, ranging from exclusive heterosexuality to exclusive homosexuality. A substantial proportion of the population shares an amalgam of same-sex and opposite-sex feelings - even if they do not act on them…

…The evidence from these two research disciplines - sociology and anthropology - is that the incidence and form of heterosexuality and homosexuality is not fixed and universal, and that the two sexual orientations are not mutually exclusive. There is a good deal of fluidity and overlap.

What's more, although scientific evidence shows that human sexuality is significantly affected by biological predispositions - such as genes and hormones - other influences appear to be cultural, including social expectations, peer pressure and the availability and opportunity for sexual release. These influences channel erotic impulses in certain directions and not others. An individual's sexual orientation is thus influenced culturally, as well as biologically.

… This picture of human sexuality is much more complex, diverse and blurred than the traditional simplistic binary image of hetero and homo, so loved by straight moralists and - equally significantly - by many lesbians and gay men.

If sexual orientation has a culturally-influenced element of indeterminacy and flexibility, then the present forms of homosexuality and heterosexuality are conditional. They are unlikely to remain the same in perpetuity. As culture changes, so will expressions of sexuality.

… Gay and lesbian identities are largely the product of homophobic prejudice and repression. They are a self-defence mechanism against homophobia. Faced with persecution for having same-sex relations, the right to have those relationships has to be defended - hence gay identity and the gay rights movement.’


So what exactly is Tatchell's position?

Does he really expect us to believe that in the last twelve months he has suddenly adopted the central thesis of a book he has consistently rejected for over four years?

If so why has he not said so up until this week?

Or is there another explanation altogether? Does Tatchell actually choose which view to hold depending on who he is talking to?

Tatchell is at very heart a campaigner and has already hinted above that the ‘fashionable “born gay” consensus’ would be ‘very politically convenient’ for him.

So maybe when he is arguing, as in Huffington Post, that in the future there will be no such thing as gay and straight but just fluidity, it is actually politically convenient to say that the main cause of sexual orientation is cultural and environmental.

But when he is making a case for disciplining people who are practising therapy aimed at changing the strength and direction of sexual attraction, it is more politically convenient for him to argue that sexual orientation is biologically fixed at birth as a result of genes and hormones.

And if he is trying to establish that gay people are a persecuted minority (very useful if you are pushing for a change in the law) then it is expedient to argue that gay and lesbian identities are largely the product of homophobic prejudice and repression.

I wonder which argument Peter Tatchell will use next?

I guess it will depend on who is listening and what his political agenda at the time happens to be.
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TONTO RELEASES NEW VIDEO FEATURING SNYPA


The official video for Tonto Dikeh's new single, titled It's Ova has been released and its already trending. Music lovers and fans alike have been checking out the new jam, it's obvious that Tonto has not been affected by the negative comment that heralded her first offer.

This new video was shot on location by Gbemi Phillips & Sneeze Abstract, was directed by Moses Inwang. It shows a very sexy Tonto strutting around and being very suggestive and features Snypa. Check it out, It is sure to cause some reactions.


You have read this article ENTERTAINMENT AND LIFESTYLE / ENTERTAINMENT NEWS / GBEMI PHILLIPS / ITS OVA / MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT / MUSIC VIDEO / NEW VIDEO RELEASE / SNEEZE ABSTRACT / SNYPA / TONTO DIKEH with the title January 2013. You can bookmark this page URL https://celebrityunitedking.blogspot.com/2013/01/tonto-releases-new-video-featuring-snypa.html. Thanks!

AGBANI DAREGO ON THISDAY STYLE COVER READY TO LAUNCH FASHION LABEL



 We totally forgot this, but it is better late than never at all. It is obvious that ex-Miss World, Agbani Darego is back to the scheme of things in Nigeria. We seem to be seeing a lot of her lately. She was 30 not too long ago and she had a private shindig, that we had was classy. And now not too long after that, she's just appeared on the cover of Nigeria's own Sunday, Sunday lifestyle Magazine, This Day Style. In the interview she chatted about a lot of things. But also about her upcoming fashion project, the launch of her own Denim Range named AD. 

We are wondering if the tale of her upcoming wedding to someone is true or not?

Her description of the AD by Agbani Darego denim line is '' a range of jeans, dresses and bags for the young modern woman who loves luxury, and loves to look goofd but want it all at an affordable pricepoint". 




Truth be told Agbani is an enduring beauty, those cheek bones are so chiseled, they are to die for.
Credits: Photography: TY Bello | Hair: Ola | Stylist: Ebun Aboderin | Green Dress: Jewel By Lisa | Make-up: Bimpe Onakoya

You have read this article AD BY AGBANI DAREGO / AGBANI DAREGO / ENTERTAINMENT AND LIFESTYLE / FASHION AND ENTERTAINMENT / FASHION AND LIFESTYLE / Miss World / THISDAY STYLE with the title January 2013. You can bookmark this page URL https://celebrityunitedking.blogspot.com/2013/01/agbani-darego-on-thisday-style-cover.html. Thanks!

PICTURE OF THE DAY- FLAVOUR OF LIFE

FLAVOUR OF LIFE..KPOROKOTO KPOM KPOM!!!!!!

We love it when our stars are natural. No unnecessary airs and all that. We had come in contact with the Flavour man on a few occasions and we can tell you he is a fantastic person. 

We just came across this picture of his, rolling what we think is Akpu and a delicious plate of vegetable. We totally love the concentration applied to demolish the plate. Go on soun!!! The Flavour of life.
You have read this article ENTERTAINMENT AND LIFESTYLE / ENTERTAINMENT NEWS / FLAVOUR / MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT / PICTURE OF THE DAY with the title January 2013. You can bookmark this page URL https://celebrityunitedking.blogspot.com/2013/01/picture-of-day-flavour-of-life.html. Thanks!

WELCOME TO NIGERIA, THE COUNTRY THAT ENCOURAGES YOU TO STEAL

JOHN YAKUBU YUSUFU

 We had tried as much as we could to refrain from writing about this issue, but we just couldn't hold ourselves in check anymore. So in order not to bust from pent up rage, it was better to release the tension and just pour out our mind in a mild manner. At least we haven't out of anger gone to make a bomb, to maim & kill just so to get attention and saying we are fighting for our right. Our own bombshell is to say our mind, whether anyone is listening or not, no matter whose ox is gored. 

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The case of the convicted former director at the Police Pension Office is a case in point. Firstly, the fraud was committed against the Police. The man (John Yakubu Yusufu) in connivance with others misappropriate an amount said to be in the region of 27.2 billion Naira, we even heard that the total scam perpetrated was to the tune of 32.8 Billion Naira. The case of fraud was pursued by the EFCC who were seeking for conviction at least to show to the world that we were serious about our fight against corruption, after first grandstanding by claiming not to be guilty, the accused later agreed to change his plea to guilty on 3 counts, the trial judge (Justice Abubakar Talba) on giving judgement quite literally told the man to go and sin no more. Or how else does one interpret  the judgement. Let's look at the evidences provided by the prosecution and even what was before the judge. He was found guilty on 3 charges of misappropriating what didn't belong to him, he was told to refund 325 Million Naira, then he was to forfeit 32 properties in Abuja & Gombe, only one man? then the major snag of it was the main judgement, he was convicted on the 3 counts, each carrying a penalty of 2 years imprisonment, that should run concurrently, but he had an outlet not to even go to jail at all, there was an option of fine amounting to 250,000 (Two hundred & fifty thousand Naira only, just about $1500 Dollars) for helping to steal the pension's board dry!!! What a judgement!!! We recommend that the judge, should be nominated for the ''Man of the World awards in 2013''. What more evidence does a judge need to have to convict a thief(barawo). Imagine what his lawyer said, that since he was a first time criminal, who has had no prior record of misdeeds the judge should be lenient, as his family depends on him.
JUSTICE ABUBAKAR TALBA
 From the above, so those who queue and die in the same line who had wanted to get what was legitimately theirs didn't have dependents. Lets even look at this issue from another angle. What's the difference between an armed robber who goes to rob people's homes with weapons, having the mind to kill or maim or what about the terrorists or militants, who says they are agitating for a cause and therefore kills and maims or the pen pusher thief, who sits in the comfort of his office and uses his weapon(Pen) to steal staggering amounts of  public funds that could have been used for building roads, building hospitals, and even uplift the lot of the masses, mind you because hospitals are not adequate or even have enough drugs or good equipments people die, because the roads are not good, accidents occurs and people also die, so a principle runs through the 3 examples and peoples lives are lost. So the pen thieves are murderers just like the other ones who use violence to achieve their goals. 

So what's the implication of the judgement on the people, the major one is that, you can afford to steal an astronomical amount of money, and at the end if you are caught, you only need to negotiate and you will only lose some very little and inconsequential amount and that 's it. What this also implies is that there are 2 sets of rules or law that governs us, there is the one for the rich criminals & another for the poor ones, who have no godfathers. So this also implies that when you need to steal, you must do it very big to escape what might happen if you are caught. Examples abound to support our assertion, Cecilia Ibru of the OceanicBank fame is one example, former Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion is another, former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanafe Ibori is another, Chief Olabode George is another example. The one that majorly bellies belief was that of Chief George, who was celebrated to high heavens by his party supporters & people on coming out from jail, as a warrior who had gone to war and conquered and came out in one piece. So it must be honorable to be a thief?

So is it not obvious, that the nation in a way support monumental crimes, no wonder even the robbers caught sometime are seen on the streets not too long after, no wonder every young man or lady wants to get rich quick (yahoo yahoo, yahoo plus, Malaysian boys, drug couriers), no wonder people now see kidnap and abduction as easy access to money, no wonder people don't even think twice at doing rituals just to make money, no wonder people are willing to go to any length, men selling their bodies to other men, women going to any length, just so the society can see them as successful people. 

What a country, what a Nation. Mind you we know for a fact that all this things are not peculiar to Nigeria alone, but also have this in mind, we are writing about our primary constituent, we live here and we have seen more of the things here live than anywhere else. We hope prayers would still work as concerning our Nation, It is well.
You have read this article CONVICTED / CRIMINAL / GENERAL INTEREST NEWS / JOHN YAKUBU YUSUFU / POLICE PENSIONS with the title January 2013. You can bookmark this page URL https://celebrityunitedking.blogspot.com/2013/01/welcome-to-nigeria-country-that.html. Thanks!

AFRICA MAGIC VIEWERS CHOICE AWARDS 2013- THE OUT & ABOUT AT THE UNVEILING OF THE NOMINEES

GENEVIEVE NNAJI

UCHE JOMBO-RODRIGUEZ
Monday, January 28, 2013 was the D-date,  the event was the unveiling of the nominees and categories for the maiden edition of the AfricaMagic Viewers Choice Awards 2013. Venue of the event was the Porsche Center, which seems to be the venue of choice for some A-class events nowadays. The AMVCA 2013, is a collaboration between AfricaMagic and Multichoice Africa, the idea is to encourage the best in the movie industry all over Africa, by acknowledging and encouraging their hardwork in their various fields. Actors/Actresses, Producers, Directors, Make-up Artists and others involved in the movie industry are being duly recognised, so kudos to the organizers. 

On Monday night, the nominees were unveiled and even the trophy that would be won by the winners in the various categories. In all, there would be 28 awards in 26 categories. Viewers would have the opportunity to chose their winners in 6 categories, while 18 other categories would have experts in the industry choosing the winners. Awards would also be given in 2 other categories namely-Trailblazer of the Year & the Industry Merit Awards, the latter which would be given to a worthy veteran of the movie industry.  Nominees in 2 categories- Best Documentary & Best online Video, were not named on the night and the reason given was because the nominee selection team prefers to award certificates of encouragement to all the entrants in the 2 categories. 

The night of the unveiling was fun-filled as many of the industry's practitioners from around Africa were in attendance.  As with all things organized by AfricaMagic, it was a classy affair, it was an opportunity for many to network amidst a very convivial atmosphere. 

Some of those we saw at the event were the likes of  our favorite actress of all time Genevieve Nnaji, Ini Edo, Omoni Oboli, Uche Jombo-Rodriguez, Doris Simeon, Saheed Balogun, Iretiola Doyle, Damilola Adegbite, ex-Miss Black USA Osas Ighodaro, Emem Isong, Chidi 'GQ' Mokeme, Uti Nwachukwu, Funlola Aofiyebi-Rahmi, Julius Agwu, Ashionye Ugbo, veteran Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, Tewa Onasanya, Tunde Kelani, Gbemi Phillips, Kunle Afolayan, Emem Ema, Karen Igho, Goldie, O. C Ukeje, Abiola Segun-Williams, Dolapo Oni, Lala Akindoju, Femi Brainard, Rukky Sanda, Ibinabo Fiberesima, Jide Kosoko, Kalu Ikeagwu, Segun Arinze, Paul Okoye, Alex Ekubo, Anita Boyd, Styl Plus duo, Teco Benson, Tunde Kelani, Gideon Okeke, IK Osakioduwa, Olisa Adibua and many others. 

All the pictures were personally taken by Abiola Aloba, for MM. Use without permission is frowned on.

MORE FANTASTIC PICTURES AFTER THE BREAK. PLS CLICK ON READ MORE



ANITA BOYD

FUNLOLA AOFIYEBI-RAHMI

DAMILOLA ADEGBITE

OSAS IGHODARO & DAMILOLA ADEGBITE

YINKA EPEGA

GBEMI PHILLIPS

KAREN IGHO

GENEVIEVE NNAJI

KAREN IGHO

DORIS SIMEON

DORIS SIMEON


IRETIOLA DOYLE & TEWA ONASANYA

CHIDI MOKEME


TAIWO AJAI-LYCETT


OSAS IGHODARO





OMONI OBOLI






OMONI OBOLI







BUKOLA AWOYEMI






KAREN IGHO & ALEX EKUBO


UTI NWACHUKWU

HELEN PAUL


INI EDO





ASHIONYE UGBO







EHIZ & SA ACTRESS


BIOLA ALABI, MD , M-NET AFRICA










LALA AKINDOJU




EMEM ISONG, ASHIONYE UGBO, OMONI OBOLI, FRIEND, UCHE JOMBO-RODRIGUEZ, INI EDO, TEWA ONASANYA


EKU EDEWOR


UNVEILING THE AMVCA TROPHY


DOLAPO ONI & EKU EDEWOR





KAREN IGHO & UTI NWACHUKWU




 SOUTH AFRICA'S MTV BASE VJ






NOBLE IGWE & FRIENDS



KUNLE AFOLAYAN

EMEM EMA & YINKA EPEGA





EKU EDEWOR & UTI NWACHUKWU



LINDA EJIOFOR


SAHEED BALOGUN

OMONI OBOLI






RUKKY SANDA

GOLDIE


LATASHA NGWUBE








CELINE LOADER

O C UKEJE & GBEMI PHILLIPS




DOLAPO ONI






OSAS & DAMILOLA

MR & MRS FEMI BRAINARD





DENRELE EDUN & ARIYIKE AKINBOBOLA







You have read this article AFRICAMAGIC / AFRICAN MOVIE STARS / AMVCA / AMVCA 2013 / ENTERTAINMENT AND LIFESTYLE / ENTERTAINMENT NEWS / MOVIES AND ENTERTAINMENT with the title January 2013. You can bookmark this page URL https://celebrityunitedking.blogspot.com/2013/01/africa-magic-viewers-choice-awards-2013.html. Thanks!