ORIENTATION: No choice in the matter

We don’t usually write letters to the editor but after reading Rob Artis’ Oct. 17 letter in the paper we felt compelled to write. His letter implies that gays and lesbians choose their lifestyle or sexual orientation; nothing could be further from the truth.

We have a son who is not gay and daughter who is a lesbian who, last year, married her partner of 20 years. None of them chose their sexual orientation; it is just who they are. They are highly educated, loving, caring, contributing and law-abiding members of this society. We couldn’t be more proud of them and their accomplishments.

For Mr. Artis and others who believe that a person’s sexual orientation is a lifestyle choice, ask yourself this question: When did you decide to be heterosexual?

JIM AND MARLENE WOGSLAND

Hayden