born this way
From the start
Born this way asserts that a trait—especially sexual orientation or gender identity—is innate rather than chosen: I didn't decide to be gay; I was born this way.
The phrase pushes back against the notion that being LGBTQ is a lifestyle choice or something that can be changed.
It gained wider currency after Lady Gaga's 2011 anthem of the same name.
- innateExisting since birth
- authenticVerified as original
- naturalNot artificially produced
- nature versus nurtureDebate over innate versus acquired traits
- identityWho someone is
pride · gay pride · genetics · nature · Lady Gaga · anthem · DNA · inherent · queer · coming out · LGBTQ · self-acceptance · self love · destiny · wired · can't help it · hardwired · intrinsic
- LGBTQgay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer
- identityidentity, personal identity, self, selfhood, self-expression
- gendergender, male, female, masculine, feminine
born this waylearned behavior
Action acquired through experience
acquired · nurtured · conditioned · socialized · taught
born this waychosen
Selected from alternatives
changeable · mutable · voluntary · decided · adopted
born this wayfaking it
Performing authenticity without possessing it
putting on an act · performing · affected · pretending · inauthentic
born, bore, borne, birth, reborn, newborn, firstborn, stillborn, unborn