(Responding to a request for clarification of her previous comment, which was: "Many gay men (and some women) admit they became gay when they were sexually abused when they were younger.")

Fairly self explanatory. Most every one I know who is gay had a gay experience with an older person when they were quite young. This is pretty well known, not that unusual. It makes sense that one's first sexual experience would be always remembered. I think most people remember. Many gays I know say - sure, that happened, but I realize this is what I prefer. Many say it was their CHOICE.

I realize not all feel the same and that some may be born that way. It seems like maybe a hormonal situation, but I have no idea why. Just a guess.

I base this on many articles I have read and what many friends say. There are a lot of gays here. I am friends with many. And in articles, they say they were not born that way. Some freely talk about it. They don't care. It's what they prefer.

They choose to be gay because that is their sexual preference. Easy answer. And many will tell you that without shame. Here in L.A. they don't care about it. They don't need to say they were born that way. They are not stigmatized here no matter why they are gay. Some do say they felt they were born that way, but others say not so at all...just their preference and choice.

I'm not the one that said it was a mental illness, btw. However, I do think transgenderism might be although I'm no shrink so I don't know. It seems that many commit suicide and are very unhappy before and after transgendering so it could be that there are underlying problems of their not liking themselves. That many cut themselves -- that is one of the signs of self-hatred.

Cher