"Choose to be" vs. "Born this way"

Dr. Ben Carson, a potential candidate in the 2016 GOP presidential primary, said Wednesday he "absolutely" believes being gay is a choice.

In an interview with CNN, Carson argued prisons prove people choose to be gay.

"Because a lot of people who go into prison go into prison straight -- and when they come out, they're gay," Carson said. "So, did something happen while they were in there? Ask yourself that question."

Frankly I don’t understand this "Choose to be" vs. "Born this way" argument. Why is this even an issue? I consider it a privilege to be gay. In my, albeit limited, experience, gay people are equally intelligent and far more compassionate than most heterosexuals I’ve known. So what difference does it make if people choose this wonderful lifestyle or they were lucky enough to be born gay? Bottom line is: the world needs far more progressive gay people and far less hateful, gun toting bigots.