During an appearance on Kurir TV, conspiracy theorist Saša Borojević claimed that no person born blind is homosexual, suggesting that homosexuality is a product of indoctrination and manipulation. This assertion sparked strong reactions on social media, and a video clip of the show quickly went viral. However, well-established scientific research indicates that sexual orientation is biologically determined, meaning people are born with a predisposition to a particular orientation.

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Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, speaking at the United Nations General Assembly last week, declared that "traditional Serbia" would oppose the "woke" movement, which he claims undermines family values.

Following this statement, Kurir TV aired a program dedicated to the "woke" movement, featuring well-known conspiracy theorist Saša Borojević.

Throughout the show, Borojević spoke negatively about members of the LGBTQ+ community. At one point, he mentioned a "strange" study that he claims he "came across a few days ago." He did not specify the study, but said it shows that no person born blind "is gay."

“If it were natural, it should exist among the blind as well. It seems that visual perception is key, and when it comes to that, indoctrination and manipulation play a major role (the journalist interjects and adds – 'promotion', author's note)."

The video clip of this part of the show went viral on social media, especially after Borojević shared it on his own profiles.

At its core, the issue Saša Borojević raised touches on one of the central questions in the debate over sexual orientation – whether people are born gay or become gay during their lives. Borojević promotes the narrative that homosexuality develops under the influence of environment, visual perception, and, as he claims, manipulation.

However, numerous scientific studies indicate that sexual orientation, including homosexuality, is largely determined before birth, meaning it is innate.

Biological factors, such as genetic predispositions and prenatal hormonal influences (a fetus is exposed to various hormones during development), play a role in shaping sexual orientation.

One of the most well-known studies is from 1993, conducted by Dean Hamer, which showed a link between certain genetic markers on the X chromosome (in a region known as Xq28) and homosexual orientation in men. Hamer's team found that gay men more often share certain genetic markers in this region, suggesting a genetic predisposition for homosexuality​.

In 1991, Simon LeVay studied the hypothalamus and found that certain parts of the brain are smaller in gay men than in heterosexual men. This difference in brain structure suggests that biological factors play a role in determining sexual orientation.

Nevertheless, this does not exclude the possibility that sexual orientation can develop throughout life.

Some individuals may discover or accept their sexual orientation later in life, influenced by experiences, introspection, or changes in societal norms. Some people are attracted to both sexes. This flexibility does not negate the biological basis of sexual orientation, but rather highlights the complexity of human sexuality.

With this in mind, Borojević's claim that homosexuality exclusively results from visual perception and external influence is overly simplistic and ignores scientific research that confirms the biological basis of sexual orientation.

Regarding disabilities such as blindness, there is no scientific evidence proving any connection to sexual orientation.

In fact, there are organizations focused on blind and visually impaired LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as scientific publications that address such cases.

For instance, "Blind LGBT Pride International" (BPI) in the United States advocates for awareness, inclusion, and the well-being of blind and visually impaired individuals from the LGBTQ+ community through education and mutual support. It was founded in 1999 and was officially recognized as an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind in 2000.

In the U.S., there is also the "National Federation of the Blind – LGBT Division" (NFB-LGBT), a branch of the National Federation of the Blind, which focuses on the rights and support of blind and visually impaired individuals from the LGBTQ+ community. The organization works to promote inclusion and provide resources aimed at improving the quality of life for blind LGBTQ+ individuals.

Additionally, testimonies from blind individuals in the LGBTQ+ community can be found on blogs, websites, and social media.

Borojević's logic is also challenged by the fact that many LGBTQ+ individuals, especially in their youth, face serious forms of bullying and violence because of their sexual orientation. In many societies, these people live in constant fear, while in some countries, homosexuality is even legally prohibited. If sexual orientation were something exclusively adopted under environmental influence, many would likely "switch" to heterosexuality to avoid stigma and violence.

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Published on raskrikavanje.net, September 30, 2024.