Isn’t sexual orientation a “choice” that should not be “protected”?
First of all, we DO protect an individual’s freedom of choice in some cases. For example, individuals choose their own religion, and religion is protected in the HRO. But the major medical and psychological associations in the U. S. have clearly stated that sexual orientation is NOT something a person chooses. The American Psychological Association has stated that “psychologists do not consider sexual orientation for most people to be a conscious choice that can be voluntarily changed” and this organization, as well as other major health organizations have made statements supporting legislation that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
Related Questions
- May an insurer discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation where bona fide statistical differences in risk or exposure have been substantiated?
- Does United Way of Southern Nevada have a policy and a practice regarding sexual orientation and employment/volunteer opportunities?
- Isn’t sexual harassment limited to situations where supervisors make sexual demands on subordinates?
