ABSTRACT
The debate about whether sexual orientations are a matter of choice is important for the LGBTQIA+ community. In particular, the claim that sexual orientations are not chosen has been influential in the movement for sexual minority rights. But is it true? The philosopher William Wilkerson has recently argued that sexual orientations are partially chosen because sexual orientations are determined by our sexual desires, our sexual desires are partially constituted by our interpretations of them, and our interpretations are partially chosen. In this chapter, I assess this argument. First, I review several recent accounts of sexual orientation and I explain the account I prefer, a desire-based account. Second, I present some objections against Wilkerson’s claim that sexual orientations are partially constituted by our interpretations. Finally, I discuss and criticize new arguments from Saray Ayala and Matthew Andler for the claim that sexual orientations (but not sexual desires) are partially constituted by our interpretations.
