Ben Carson fact-checked on outrageous “prison makes you gay” comments

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Ben Carson on CNN

Homosexuality is a choice, just look at the prisons, Republican neurosurgeon Ben Carson said on CNN.

In a March 4 interview, the likely 2016 presidential contender said he believes that legalizing same-sex marriage is a decision that should be left to the states. He also argued that homosexuality is a choice, rather than biological.

“Because a lot of people who go into prison go into prison straight — and when they come out, they’re gay. So, did something happen while they were in there? Ask yourself that question,” said Carson, a former head of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

We’ll jump to the point here: There is no conclusive evidence to support Carson’s claim that “a lot of people” make a switch from heterosexual to homosexual while in prison. Further, the medical community tends to conclude that homosexuality is not a matter of choice — notably the American Psychological Association.

“Dr. Carson’s contention has a political intent but is absent of awareness of research on human sexuality,” said Mark Fleisher, a social science professor at Case Western University, who studies sexuality and violence in prisons.

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