Florida Rep. candidate says giraffes prove people ‘born straight’

A Republican congressional candidate in Florida is facing criticism after saying people cannot be born gay because he believes everyone is “born straight”, claiming that same-sex attraction does not exist in nature to support his argument.

During an editorial board interview with the South Florida Sun-Sentinel on 8 July, Republican candidate Rod Joseph said: “You cannot be born gay. That’s impossible biologically. Sexual preference from the Roman Empire to date, it’s always a preference,” continuing by claiming that LGBTQ+ people are in some way influenced or indoctrinated to not become straight.

“Look at the natural habitat. You never see a lion that mate(s) with a male lion for life. You never see a giraffe, a male giraffe, that mate(s) with a giraffe…. Myself right now saying I am a giraffe, that doesn’t mean it’s true,” Joseph said. His comments came in response to a question about Rep. Andy Ogles’ controversial Pride Month post, which he published at the beginning of Pride Month, declaring that “Homosexuality has no place in America”.

Can animals actually be gay?

Scientists have documented same-sex sexual behaviour in more than 1,500 animal species, including mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and insects. Researchers have observed same-sex courtship, pair bonding and sexual behaviour in species ranging from lions and giraffes to penguins, dolphins and bonobos, as per a 2009 University of California study.

While the biological origins of sexual orientation remain an area of ongoing research, major medical and psychological organisations agree that being lesbian, gay or bisexual is not considered a choice or disorder.

Joseph’s remarks were challenged by fellow Republican candidate Lateresa “LA” Jones, who rejected his conclusions and called for greater acceptance. “I don’t know how God made people. I do not,” she said. “I pray that we become a nation where we embrace people for who God created them to be.”

Democratic candidate Elijah Manley, the only out gay candidate in the race, also condemned the comments, calling them “incredibly ignorant”.

“You’re born the way you are,” he said, adding that Joseph was “also wrong about animals”.

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