THE “ANTI-QUEER MYTH”

Why Senator Tuberville Is Wrong

Senator Tommy Tuberville recently made comments that perpetuate one of the most harmful myths about Queer people: the idea that no one is truly Queer until they are somehow “turned” by others. This belief, rooted in ignorance and prejudice, suggests that everyone is naturally straight and cisgender and that Queer identities are a result of outside influence or indoctrination. 

As a gay man, I take personal offense to these remarks, not just because they’re wrong but because they undermine the lived experiences of millions of Queer people like me. For Tuberville and anyone else who shares his views, let me make this clear: I’ve always been gay. No one “turned” me. My identity is as much a part of me as the color of my eyes or the sound of my voice and if I may be cheeky for a moment, here’s a truth you’ll just have to accept: I’ve kissed girls, and I hated it. 

The idea that Queer people are somehow “created” by outside forces is as ridiculous as it is insulting. It’s an argument that denies the reality of Queer existence. To claim that we are not inherently who we are is to erase the experiences of countless people who have known their identities from an early age, long before they ever encountered any “influence.” Growing up, I was surrounded by straight culture. My parents were straight, my teachers were straight, and the movies I watched and books I read were overwhelmingly straight. Heterosexuality and cisgender norms were everywhere, and yet, none of that changed the fact that I was gay. 

I was 14 when I realized my attractions were different from my male friends, who were all girl-crazy. My first crush on a boy wasn’t something I chose; it was a feeling that arose naturally, undeniable and unshakable. Like many Queer people, I felt pressured to conform to the expectations of the straight world around me. I befriended girls, I tried to play the part, and yes, I’ve even kissed girls. Those kisses didn’t change me, they only confirmed what I already knew deep down. I wasn’t straight, and I never had been.

The notion that Queer people are “turned” completely ignores this reality. It also disregards decades of scientific and psychological research, which consistently shows that being Queer is not a choice or a learned behavior but an intrinsic part of a person’s identity. The harm in Tuberville’s words goes far beyond ignorance. Comments like these fuel dangerous stereotypes about Queer people, casting them as predators or threats to children. These narratives have long been used to justify discrimination, from banning books with Queer characters to targeting Queer-inclusive education. 

This rhetoric also has real, measurable consequences. Studies consistently show that Queer youth face higher rates of mental health struggles, not because of who they are, but because of the stigma and rejection they often experience. When politicians like Tuberville spread these baseless myths, they add to the toxic environment that isolates and harms Queer youth.To make matters worse, this myth of “turning” implies that queerness is unnatural, a deviation from some imagined norm. It reinforces the belief that Queer identities are inherently wrong and need to be corrected. This erasure of Queer authenticity doesn’t just offend, it dehumanizes. 

As someone who has lived this reality, I know how damaging these ideas can be. For years, I wrestled with my identity, surrounded by a society that told me I was supposed to be straight. I heard the subtle, and sometimes not-so-subtle, messages that being gay was wrong, that it was a phase or something I could grow out of. My identity wasn’t a phase, and it certainly wasn’t the result of “indoctrination.” My queerness has always been a part of who I am. When I finally embraced it, it felt like stepping into the truth of myself for the first time, and for those who might suggest otherwise, let me reiterate: I’ve kissed a girl, and I hated it. That kiss wasn’t liberating or affirming. It was awkward and uncomfortable because it wasn’t me. It wasn’t who I was, and no amount of societal pressure could make it feel right.

Senator Tuberville’s comments are more than just offensive, they are a stark reminder of how far we still have to go in the fight for Queer acceptance and equality. By spreading falsehoods, he reinforces a culture of ignorance and prejudice that continues to harm Queer people. 

To Tuberville and others who share his views, I say this: you don’t get to define who we are. You don’t get to rewrite our experiences or dismiss our identities as a product of influence. Queer people exist because queerness is a natural part of human diversity, not because someone “turned” us, and if you truly want to protect children, start by protecting Queer kids from the harmful rhetoric and policies that make them feel like they don’t belong. The real threat isn’t Queer adults living authentically, it’s the stigma and misinformation that politicians like Tuberville perpetuate. 

Finally, the myth that Queer people are “turned” is as baseless as it is harmful. It erases our experiences, invalidates our identities, and perpetuates a culture of discrimination and fear. For those of us in the Queer community, our lives are a testament to the truth: we are who we are, not because of outside influence, but because this is who we have always been, and let’s call out these myths for what they are, bigotry disguised as concern, and continue fighting for a world where all people, regardless of their identity, are respected and valued. Because at the end of the day, no one turned me gay, and if anything turned me off, it was kissing a girl.

A.J. Bell, a.k.a. Queer Uncle Jesse LGBTQ+ Activist & Q.U.J. Blog Contributor