sexual orientation and whether it is the result of the nature or environment has been the source of acrimonious debate for several decades. The debate has involved a wide spectrum of individuals such as scientists, religious officials, politicians, and the general public. Both sides of the issue possess strong feelings that they are correct in their assessment and the emotional nature of the issue has caused hard feelings to develop which make resolving the issue far more difficult.

Proponents of the argument that sexual orientation is determined by DNA or the result of hormonal development argue that because sexual orientation, whether gay or straight, is a function of nature it should be protected. Both gay and straight individuals should be, therefore, provided the same legal rights and protections. Opponents of the nature argument argue that sexual orientation is the result of environmental factors and, therefore, not natural. They argue that...
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