There is a lot of misinformation about sexual assault including the idea that being raped by someone of the same gender can make a person gay or lesbian.

This is absolutely untrue.

So for the record: being the victim of a same-gender sexual assault won't change a person's sexual orientation.

Misconceptions Among People of All Sexual Orientations

Many people, both gay and straight still think sexual orientation can be affected by a sexual assault.

As a teen writes:

"I have a gay friend who has confided in me and told me they were raped and that probably if it wasn't for that they wouldn't be gay. Is that true?"

Though I can't speak for every single individual's experiences and exploration of what made them who they are, I can say that being the victim of sexual assault will not change someone's sexual orientation.

But this is a really common myth and one that far too many people believe. 

On the other hand, while gay men who were victims of sexual assault may question what lead them to their sexual orientation, and they might see their victimization as playing a role in their sexual development, this is quite different than having the assault be the root cause of their identity.

Additionally, some males who are victims of sexual assault become deeply troubled and confused if an aspect of the sexual assault felt pleasurable. This could lead them to question their sexual orientation and can increase feelings of shame and guilt. But again, it is not a sign that they were "made gay" by the rape.

Additionally, a gay man who had been the victim of a sexual assault by another man might look back on his experiences and assume that it was the rape that made him gay. But no respectable professionals would agree with this.

The Myth of the Gay Pedophile

Of course, non-professionals and bigots often still cling to this idea and use it to demonize gay men in particular who they claim are more likely to be pedophiles. 

And while this might seem to make sense, the vast majority of offenders identify as straight, regardless of the gender of their victim.

The Horror of "Corrective Rape"

On the flip side of this dangerous view are situations like one playing out in different places around the world -- including in North America -- where the horrific practice of "corrective rape" has occurred and where lesbians and gay men are deliberately assaulted by people of the opposite gender who claim this will change their sexual orientation.

It doesn't, of course, and understanding this is crucial both in helping people heal from sex crimes and also in protecting gay men and lesbians from sexual orientation-driven assaults.

So can a rape change your sexual orientation? No, it cannot. But it sure can do some serious and lasting harm.

Help for Rape Survivors

If you are the survivor of a sexual assault, help is out there. You can contact the organization RAINN who offers support for survivors.