I think sex rather than gender is a better measure of orientation. If you have a male genital preference and you have male genitals, this is gay. I know in the transgender world and in transgender discourse, this is highly controversial. But I would bet it is the most consistent measure of orientation. Cases on the margins may fall within your description of delusional or disordered thought or may just be normal albeit rare variation.
I believe homosexuality is about same sex attraction, and not about same "gender" attraction. However, this essay wanted to explore another question, that people might claim to be Gay, but they aren't.
Yes, I think so. Over the years there have plenty of people who have made claims about their identity which simply aren't true. One of the major issues with Gay life is meeting people who have sex with another man, but deny its Gay. Or people denying to themselves they are homosexuals several years before they come out. I think besides straight and Gay people, there are likely in the case of self-idenification for an identity cases where a person claims or thinks they are this or that, and they aren't.
Your comment is not relevant to the essay. The essay is about people falsely claiming to be Gay and then asserting something related to that identity, such as persons claiming to be ex-Gays who weren't Gay in the beginning. As for you, it is your life. It is for you to evaluate it and not me.
I think sex rather than gender is a better measure of orientation. If you have a male genital preference and you have male genitals, this is gay. I know in the transgender world and in transgender discourse, this is highly controversial. But I would bet it is the most consistent measure of orientation. Cases on the margins may fall within your description of delusional or disordered thought or may just be normal albeit rare variation.
I believe homosexuality is about same sex attraction, and not about same "gender" attraction. However, this essay wanted to explore another question, that people might claim to be Gay, but they aren't.
Right. Sorry, I got sidetracked by your mention of trans men in the first part of your essay. My mind is in weekend mode.
Can these reasonings be applied equally to straight people? Or people who self
identify as straight but perhaps aren’t or think they are straight because they are delusional or mentally ill?
Yes, I think so. Over the years there have plenty of people who have made claims about their identity which simply aren't true. One of the major issues with Gay life is meeting people who have sex with another man, but deny its Gay. Or people denying to themselves they are homosexuals several years before they come out. I think besides straight and Gay people, there are likely in the case of self-idenification for an identity cases where a person claims or thinks they are this or that, and they aren't.
Your comment is not relevant to the essay. The essay is about people falsely claiming to be Gay and then asserting something related to that identity, such as persons claiming to be ex-Gays who weren't Gay in the beginning. As for you, it is your life. It is for you to evaluate it and not me.