In Florida's most liberal area, a Republican candidate claims you can't be born gay

News and commentary from a Florida perspective for all Americans

By J.C. Bruce

Tropic Press

Living in Florida, we’re used to weirdness, but just as soon as you think you’ve seen it all comes this startling headline in the South Florida Sun Sentinel:

Broward Republican congressional

candidate: ‘You cannot be born gay.

That’s impossible.’

So, a guy running for office in Broward County, home to Fort Lauderdale and the state’s biggest liberal stronghold—even after redistricting—thinks it’s smart to come out with an anti-gay position as the secret to getting elected.

A guy who actually said: “Nobody is born gay; that’s impossible biologically.”

His name is Dr. Rodenay Joseph. And when I saw he was a doctor, my first thought was, well, shucks, how did he arrive at this conclusion if he actually studied biology?

Turns out, he’s not that kind of doctor.

He says he has a Ph.D. from Cornerstone University of Florida in Maitland in the field of Diplomacy and International Relations.

What that has to do with biology is a mystery, but it helps to know that Cornerstone is also known as Cornerstone Christian University, and a brief review of its doctoral degree programs includes:

Christian Education

Christian Psychology and Counseling

Christian Leadership and Management

Christian Business Administration

Etcetera, etc., etc.

Perhaps there are also courses in Pre-Christian History, which would explain this quote reported by the South Florida Sun Sentinel:

Joseph said sexuality is a preference, not an inherent orientation. “Sexual preference from the Roman Empire to date, it’s always a preference.”

Little did I know. And here I thought it was a result of being bitten by a radioactive spider. Live and learn.

But back to reality, and just for the record, here’s what scientists—with actual degrees in biology—say about this:

A major hypothesis involves the prenatal environment, in particular the organizational effects of hormones on the fetal brain. There is no conclusive evidence that confirms that parenting or early childhood experiences play a significant role in developing a sexual orientation. Scientific research shows that homosexuality is a natural and normal variation in human sexuality…

Said more simply: Some people are born that way. Animal studies show that seems to be a pattern in nature. That’s the current scientific thinking anyway.

But, you know, science, schmience. We live in an era of alternative facts and willful ignorance. And if you find yourself among what seems to be a shrinking population that suffers a bias for reality, you’re not alone. That seems especially so here in Florida.

That said, it is perfectly fine to ask questions about nature versus nurture as forces in human development. We’re born with certain characteristics; others we acquire.

For instance, Doctor Joseph was, to all appearances, born a male. He had no choice in the matter. But that he is a Democrat-turned-Republican is definitely a choice. He has to own that decision. Just as he has to own his choice to run as a Republican in the state’s most heavily Democratic district.

His odds of winning in the general election—even if he secures the Republican nomination—are as remote as the survivability of a snowball on Las Olas Boulevard in August.

The Cook Political Report puts Florida’s Congressional District 20 at D+20, meaning the district is 20 points more Democratic than the national average. It is also home to one of the state’s—and nation’s—largest LGBTQ+ populations.

Which makes choosing such an unpopular stance to campaign on seem self-defeating. The numbers are clearly against you.

Perhaps some remedial training is in order. Maybe a course in Christian Mathematics. After all, the No. 1 rule in politics is this:

Learn to count.

To his credit, and to be fair, though, he also says this about his beliefs:

“My faith teaches me that every person is made in God’s image and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect—no exceptions.”

On that, at least, we can agree.

FOOTNOTE:

One of the problems with the misguided notion that homosexuality is a choice is that it sets the stage for so-called “conversion therapy” — if being gay is a choice, then you can unchoose. It’s a wholly discredited, ineffective and utterly cruel exercise that ultimately amounts to a form of torture.

I would recommend to Doctor Joseph and any others who are still confused—or stubbornly refuse to accept reality—some reading material:

The evidence against “conversion therapy”

The Lies and Dangers of Efforts to Change Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity

Conversion Therapy is Sexual Violence

J.C. Bruce is the founder of Tropic Press. He’s an award-winning author and journalist who claims dual citizenship in both the United States of America and his native Florida.

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It’s easy to feel overwhelmed if you are a rational person living in the “Free” State of Florida, but there are plenty of smart, reasonable people just like you here. The purpose of this newsletter and the Tropic Press website is to provide a source of news and commentary that shines a light through this irrational fog.

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J.C. Bruce

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