THE GENETICS OF HOMOSEXUALITY
Web Reports 1997
From Serendip
THE GENETICS OF HOMOSEXUALITY
One of the first successful scientific studies that was done on homosexuality was reported on in 1993. The purpose of this study was to look at families in which there was an abnormally high occurrence of homosexuality. By extensively studying the family histories of these families, researchers hoped to find some clues pointing towards the genetic factors that affect homosexuality. That is exactly what happened. By looking at the family trees of gay males (For some reason, this study only focused on male homosexuality, but made the claim that their findings would be similar to the ones that would be found by looking at female homosexuality. As this paper will discuss later, this assumption that male and female homosexuality can easily be compared may be entirely inaccurate.) it seemed that the majority of homosexual occurrences were on the maternal side of the tree. From this information, researchers concluded that if in fact there was a "homosexual gene", it appeared to be passed down from mother to son. This means that heterosexual females are carriers of this gene, and when it is passed down to a male child, there is a chance that the child will be a homosexual. While this study did not come up with any hard core facts about the genetics of homosexuality, it showed that a connection very well could exist. Since this study did determine that the gene influencing homosexuality was carried by the mother, researchers participating in further studies knew that they could limit their search to the X chromosome, and that is exactly what they did (5).
One of the most influential studies on the genetics of homosexuality was done by Dean Hamer and his co-workers at the National Cancer Institute in Washington DC (1993). Hamer's research involved studying thirty-two pairs of brothers who were either "exclusively or mostly" homosexual. None of the sets of brothers were related. Of the thirty-two pairs, Hamer and his colleagues found that two-thirds of them (twenty-two of the sets of brothers) shared the same type of genetic material. This strongly supports the hypothesis that there is an existing gene that influences homosexuality (4). Hamer then looked closely at the DNA of these gay brothers to try and find the region of the X chromosome (since the earlier research suggested that the gene was passed down maternally) that most of the homosexual brothers shared. He discovered that homosexual brothers have a much higher likelihood of inheriting the same genetic sequence on the region of the X chromosome identified by Xq28, than heterosexual brothers of the same gay men. Keep in mind though, that this is just a region of the X chromosome, not a specific gene. Although researchers are hopeful, a single gene has not yet been identified (7). Hamer's study also acknowledges the fact that while it does suggest that there is a gene that influences homosexuality, it has not yet been determined how greatly the gene influences whether or not a person will be homosexual (4). In addition, Hamer attempted to locate a similar gene in female homosexuals, but was unsuccessful (7). The results that Hamer's study did find though, cannot yet be accepted as absolute truth. Another study took place in 1993 by Macke et al. This study examined the same gene locus as the Hamer study, but found that it had no influence on homosexuality (8). As you can see, the results on this topic are still extremely varied and reasonably new, so it is difficult to come to any lasting conclusion.
Other studies have been conducted that look at twin brothers rather than brothers of different ages. Bailey and Pillard (1991) did a study of twins that determined a Ò52% concordance of homosexuality in monozygotic twins, 22% for dizygotic twins, and 11% for adoptive brothers of homosexual men (8). These results, like Hamer's, provide further support for the claim that homosexuality is genetically linked. Studies very similar to the Bailey and Pillard study have been done both with female homosexual siblings and siblings of both sexes. The results for both of these studies were only off from Bailey and PillardÕs by a few percentage points. Putting all of these results together, it seems like genetics are at least 50% accountable for determining a personÕs sexual orientation (8).
Looking at the results of many of the other studies I have discussed, it seems a little strange to me that the student of homosexual siblings who were both male and female came up with similar result as the studies that looked exclusively at male homosexuality. Hamer's study, along with others, have tried to located a gene that influences female homosexuality, but they have been unsuccessful. More importantly, the region of the X chromosome that very possibly could influence male homosexuality does not influence females in the same way. Female heterosexuals merely pass the gene sequence on to their sons. Knowing this, it seems odd to me that there would be such a high percentage of male and female homosexual siblings. Perhaps this suggests that if genetics are responsible for homosexuality, we have a long way to go before we completely understand the gene loci that determine sexuality.
Aside from the scientists who are researching the topic of homosexuality and genetics, there are many other people who have concerns and vested interests in the topic. The information that is being discovered has been used by people in both positive and negative ways. On the one hand, there are members of the gay community who are very excited to find that the life-style they live is not entirely a choice that they made, as homophobic people often like to believe. Some homosexuals feel that if the world realizes that homosexuality is something people are born with, just like the color of your skin or your eyes, then people will begin to be more accepting of the homosexual life-style (5). However, on the other hand, there is also a group a people who believe that if homosexuality is in fact genetically linked, then there should be a way to genetically alter homosexuals in order to make them "normal" (3).
Before I started researching this topic on the world-wide-web, I did not realize what a new and controversial issue the genetics of homosexuality was. From tid-bits of news that I had picked up along the way, I thought that scientists had located, without a doubt, a gene that plays a role in influencing sexual orientation. From the research that I have discussed above, that is obviously not the case. I am eager to follow this subject more in the future and see what biology will discover next.
References
1) Genetics and Homosexuality, from the Gene Letter
2) Homosexuality: Genetics and the Bible, by Tom Terry, Cutting Edge Magazine
3) Statement on NIH Genetic Study on Homosexuality, from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
4) New study says genetics influences homosexuality, from St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 1995
5) Homosexuality and Genetics, one person's views
6) A commentary on "Research on Sex Orientation Doesn't Fit the Mold"
7) Genetics Press Cuttings, from The Knitting Circle, South Bank University, London
8) The Hypothetical Genetics of Sexual Orientation, by Keith Bell, a Boston University undergraduate
9) Is there a genetic basis for sexual orientation?, from Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
10) Lesbianism/homosexuality - a human surival trait, a commentary on the Queer Resources Directory
11) Homosexuality: Its in Your Genes, an article posted on QRD
12) Genetics and sexuality, a news report
Comments made prior to 2007
I am iranian gay in a gay family, my dad was gay and my brothers and the sons of my brothers all are gay, o know something about the homosexuality factors that is can be proven, i have some ideas so i ll be glade if i receive a comment from a scientist working in this area, by the was i am also aducated person and can help more in this matter ... Kamyar, 28 December 2007
Comments
So you think they are immoral
So you think they are immoral because they aren't choosing to be who you want them to be?
So you are afraid that because homosexuality of 2 consenting adults can be rationalized, that people will somehow begin to say it is okay to molest innocent children because of it as well?
Some one who has a same sex
Some one who has a same sex attractoin is not in sin until he/she acts then it becomes a sin. For example if a ten year old thinks he/she is homosexual or hetrosexual they have not done anything because they have not acted apon there desires yet.
????
well all i have to say is your born straight your born gay. you can't chose witch one you are. your born that way and there is nothing else to say
So about all the straight
So about all the straight guys I've slept with? I think your too one dimensional in your thinking. Anything is possible!
wrong
no you are not born that way. It does not say anywhere that being gay is a gene they say there is a possiblity it is a gene. Being gay is a choise not a good choise. Kind of like when you are little and you want a cookie but mom says no so you make the chois to disobey that is your choise. Homosexuality is a desicoin, I am not gay and i do not dislike gay people i just want them to know the truth about what they do. I do not dislike gay people i dislike what they do because it is wrong.
sigh
Your choice to never learn proper spelling and grammar is more a sin than gay sex.
Thanks. The best comment so
Thanks. The best comment so far.
I am a girl and I personally
I am a girl and I personally thought I was a heterosexual and I once had one 3 year, happy and wonderful heterosexual relationship when I was 14 with a boy, who I loved and looked up to. He broke up with me for reasons I still don't know, I assume it was to do with work or he fell out of love with me or maybe never loved me, anyhow.
A year after I had just gotten used to life without this relationship (not get over it, because you cant get over a person you love), and I met a girl on the other side of the year at school, so I knew her name through friends but didn't know her personally. We got to know each other over a year as we sat next to each other in class a lot and were absolute best friends, liking a lot of the same music and video games and fashions.
Through that year we would hug, like most best friends, share our deepest and innermost secrets and were very close, just as close as I am now and were then with my best friends that are girls. We discussed being gay with each other, and I thought about this over a long time (a year or so).
I started to like her, really like her. I realised I didn't want her to leave and got very sad thinking about her not being in my life. I had sexual dreams about her as well as soppy romantic dreams. I cant define the symptoms of love specifically, because that is difficult, but I felt exactly the same feelings of love and adoration I had with my boyfriend previously. I read signs from her as well and they all pointed to her being attracted to me.
I kissed her one day, and that felt like I was breaking the rules a bit, it wasn't abnormal, but incredibly exciting and overwhelming. I wanted to do it again, and so I did. This time it was like I was back with my previous relationship, just kissing away, so normal and happy and safe and secure and wonderful. She confessed her attraction for me and I confessed mine for her, grateful that I hadn't made a mistake!
I love her more than my life is worth, she gets more beautiful everyday. But soppy stuff aside, being gay was not my choice. I only know one case of gayness in my family and that is my two great uncles on my mothers side. That may make it genetic, who knows... But I personally think I was always like this, and I discovered it when I met the right person, just like it takes heterosexual people a while to find the right person, it took me a fair while to find her.
But I am so glad I did, and hopefully I can avoid the hate (which I am doing now) and all this idea of 'cleansing' and live as the happiest person I can be with the woman I love. That is all I could ever want :)
You're not gay, you're hurt.
You're not gay, you're hurt. Why is it that most gay people "become gay" after they've had a bad heterosexual relationship? Get over it, and move on to the next guy. Not for anything, but guys have a penis and girls have a vagina for a reason....it's a perfect fit!
That's not true, people don't
That's not true, people don't get with the same sex because the opposite sex hurt them. And if they do they usually go back to being straight, they are not truly gay. I hate when people say that, YOU DON'T KNOW.
It's NOT a choice!
I guarantee you no one posting here who's saying thats "it's a choice" is gay. They don't know how it feels. Who would wish this on themselfs? To be treated like crap? Oh yeah, this was my CHOICE!!! NOT! Don't let anyone on here get you down. God bless you and all of your family. These people are the ones that need to go to THERE place of worship and probably read the Bible a little more. I'm so glad this world is becoming more of an accepting place.
lol go cure ur self
"Of course not. You can ask the same thing of an Alcoholic and he will say about the same thing . . . There is nothing wrong in my drinking. It is NOT Genetic anything . . . It's a brain disorder that is highly treatable and highly curable."
go fucking cure ur self were not looking for one maybe with some luck thay be able to convert u fucks into us !!!!!
viva la rebelion!!!!!!!!!!!!
Actually, genetics play a
Actually, genetics play a large part in alcoholism.
Amen!!!!!
Amen!!!!!
you are definitely a very sad
you are definitely a very sad and insecure being. I pray none of your kids "turns" gay so they won't have to deal with such homophobia and ignorance. Enjoy your "perfect" life.
What the hell is wrong with everyone?!
Okay this is a simple subject.
As a 15 year old heterosexual girl I'm APPALLED that some of you people even have the decency to call yourselves HUMAN!! You know what discrimination is?? It's singling out someone or a group because of a difference. THAT'S IT! And you can tell me I'm wrong and add all these little details and say that I don't know WHAT I'm talking about but I am ABSOLUTELY certain that they're are good homosexuals and bad homosexuals just as there are good and bad white people, short people, and any other form of person on the planet! You cannot say that all Catholic people are jerks because that makes you just as bad as the person who started this rant anyways! This isn't a hard topic, you can give me facts and stats on how homosexuals are whatever percentage responsible for this condition and someone can go and look up something against your race, religion, and point of view. There isn't any ONE point of view, there are many that's what makes people who they are, the fact that they can decide who they are and who they want to be. To have that option is an AMAZING thing in itself. And to all those ADULTS who discriminate against people your passing on your thoughts, words and actions on to your CHILDREN!! And every once in a while you get a kid who totally disagrees with their parents and their religion and forms their OWN opinions. Homosexuality isn't a crime. You can't say that all homosexuals are bad just as you can't say all black people are bad (no offense) and yet there are people with enough STUPIDITY to go and blab about things they don't even know, opinions that have just been shoved down their throats until they believe that the ideas were theirs to begin with. I hate it when I see someone make fun of another person because of who they love or who they are. Do they not have a heart? Do they not have a brain? They may not look or act like you but EVERYONE on Earth is a human being. There is no changing that, yeah you can try to categorize everyone and everything into these neat little columns but you can never do that. So stop trying. Stop trying to repress a group or a person because of what they believe or who they are. Because you are sure as hell not perfect either.
So continue thinking about your little labels because that's all they'll ever be. Labels. Not people or thoughts or actions. Just a label that you've given someone.
Marissa-Ysena Monroy
Thank you
Marissa - you are wise beyond your years.
There should be more people
There should be more people who view this just like you do (:
I respect your opinions, and your soooo right.!!!
Thank you for sharing my views too.!!
nature vs. nurture
here comes that debate again.this article suggests that there may be a biological explanation why some people are gay. but then, others may argue that being gay is merely a choice someone makes and that one's genes have nothing to do with his/her sexual orientation.if the suggested theory above could be proven accurate and reliable, it still does not mean that we can base our judgments on it entirely- for there are a lot of other factors that may even have a greater impact on our sexuality than genes such as family, culture, religion, etc.... one needs to know when the effect of his/her "nature" stops that marks the start of the "nurture" effect. :)
on a side note, don't shove your beliefs down other people's throat. your opinion is not absolute truth.
*my statements above are based on what i understood in this article, the comments on this article, and in my sociology class.*
nature vs. nuture
okay, i guess I have to jump in as well. The fact that the research shows a link to a maternal side of homosexuality, would also make sense that the mother's in this scenario were equipped with a tendency to be controlling or evasive to their children. I don't believe homosexuals choose to be gay. The feelings they experience are very real. It's not a choice. I don't believe there is a genetic link either. I believe in a third option and that is physiological, environmental and genetic personality traits. When I took a course in physiology it was discussed how the brain continues to grow and change even in elders. It doesn't matter how old someone is, when data goes in, it changes the brain. The brain grows, shifts and changes. In PTSD, the brain can not process the information from right to left, I believe this can change the brain. According to this article......no significant, solid proof has been found at all. This is what people don't understand, this is a suggestion of maybe but not an absolutely. People, there is so much more information out there that explains this situation outside of a genetic link. The truth is, if someone wants to live a gay lifestyle, they should NOT be discriminated against for it. If someone wants to leave the homosexual lifestyle, that is their RIGHT as well and they should not be subjected to DEATH THREATS!!!. This is the real truth about this situation.....everyone has a right to live their life the way they want....as a gay or ex-gay, NOONE has the right to dictate how they live their life, this is where THE CHOICE belongs.
Everyone is different.
Everyone is different. Unless you are gay, you don't know what it is like. Perhaps some people weren't meant to procreate, just let them be who they want to be, and let them be with who they want to be with, it isn't any of your business anyways. To the homophobes: If you are a man, imagine if you were forced to be with another man, and you were not allowed to marry a woman. I assume you wouldn't want some unwanted sexual experience like that, so why do you people think you can just make gay people be straight? Can you make yourself like the opposite sex of what you like now? Probably not, so just mind your business! Maybe they won't ever find a gene for homosexuality, but I personally don't believe that it is a choice for everyone, twins from the same environment with the same genes have turned out different in their sexual preferences, you haters need to learn acceptance and maybe get a life so you can stop messing with others.
All people are bi
I believe that we are all bisexual. We have preferences, but we are physically capable of engaging in sex with both males and females. I'm heterosexual, but I can imagine myself having sex with another woman if I love her. I wouldn't, but I can and don't find it nasty. Also, if a man gives a blow job to a straight man, don't tell me he won't jack off anyway! And straight men do have sex with other men in special circumstances, like in jail or something! I'm not anti-gay at all, all I'm saying is that if a homosexual doesn't like being that way and wants to marry and have offspring, we shouldn't push him into leading a life he doesn't want and convince him that it'll set him free. Although
Homosexuality
i as a homosexual see nothing wrong with same sex relations.
Well that is probably because
Well that is probably because it feels right. It is still wrong and i say that in a nice way i do not want you to go through life not knowing the truth about homosexuality. I am a hetrosexual, but i do not say that like i am better than gay people. I think that we all deserve to be treated as equals. I just want you to know i will be praying for you and all homosexuals to relize what they are doing is wrong; Please look up homosexuality and look at both sides of the story decide if what you are doing is right. Then praY ABOUT IT.
A
homosexuality
Is there a gene for being attracted to an animal? Or is there a gene for liking both men and woman at the same time? Is there a gene which makes you feel you need many all at once? Is there a gene for wanting to be a drag queen? HHHMMMMM
I think I will keep it very simple..normalcy is a Man attracted to a woman and a woman attracted to a man for procreation purposes....This is the way to go!!! (Being Normal)......
homosexuality
Normal? Excuse moi, but you are sadly misinformed. Common and uncommon is what matters, not normal and abnormal. Are you a heterosexual? Good for you! do you want to sleep with women? Yes? Then that's normal... FOR YOU, BECAUSE you are a heterosexual. "Normal" depends on the person. For example- I have a particular shade of green eyes- that's not socially "Normal", but I really don't have any choice in the matter. "Normal" is what is common in society, but it should not be a standard to hold up to. If everyone was concerned with being normal, everyone would have brown hair, brown eyes. Because that is COMMON. But that;s not hte case, is it? Because... people are DIFFERENT. It's what makes us individuals. In my belief, anything that is NOT emotionally, physically, and emotionally to one human being (or two) is ok.
See Nothing WRONG . . .
Of course not. You can ask the same thing of an Alcoholic and he will say about the same thing . . . There is nothing wrong in my drinking. It is NOT Genetic anything . . . It's a brain disorder that is highly treatable and highly curable.
The difference is that
The difference is that drinking is a self harming behaviour. Homosexuality is not a behaviour is what someone IS and is definitely not selfharming.
Actually not . . .You are
Actually not . . .You are talking about the "result of" drinking . . . There is a difference.
Several people drink like crazy and they are Alcoholics but the results of their highly
treatable, highly curable mental illness is NOTHING. For some it's not . . . For others
it's living hell to everyone around them. So, you are saying that a kid is running around
going Oh I love the style of my Dad he's an Alcoholic . and I love my mom's style too
she's a Lesbian.
It's a CHOICE!
If we say that homosexuality is not a choice, then we can also say that stealing and murdering a person is not a choice. If for example i was born to a family of murderers and then i also become one of them, isn't it unfair for my part that you will accuse me of committing a crime? If that's the way i was raise up can you say to me that i'm an immoral person because i'm not living in your standard(norms)? You people are blinded. It's a choice to change, it's a choice to stop stealing, it's a choice to stop murdering, and it's a choice to stop homosexuality. If you have the will to decide to change, then you can do it. it's up to you if you want to change. Everything you made for yourself is a choice. If you want to get good grades you need to study. If you want to be a suma cum laude, you need to work hard for it in all the years you'll spend in college. You are what you are right now because you are a product of your decisions and choices.
Interesting that...
I find it very interesting that the only people who claim to understand the origins of homosexuality are those who would know least about it (aka heterosexuals). Even most gay people can admit no one knows the absolute truth of the matter, only that they know it was not a conscious choice. The concept of choosing to be a homosexual is the most ridiculous notion that has ever been invented, as there has never been any evidence to back this claim. On the contrary, all supporting evidence seems to negate the claim entirely. If being gay was a choice, there would not be hundreds of related suicides every year. Teens would not endure their mother, father, and loved ones indefinitely turning their backs on them because of a simple "choice". Homosexuals would not risk their lives every day fighting just as hard to be equal as african americans did during the civil rights movement if being gay was a matter of choice; they do it because they know, too, that deep down this discrimination is as inhumane and unjust as any, and they keep doing it because with heavy hearts they realize it may just take people equally as long to open their eyes.
I am the proud product of an artificial insemination via a sperm donor and my lesbian mother. There remained an absence of heterosexual influence throughout my entire upbringing and yet here I am, at 20 years old and fully functional in my sexual development, a straight female. A straight female who has never had problems cultivating relationships with males, but instead has been able to hold a serious long-term heterosexual relationship exceptionally well. Now, Lorjun, I believe that we can safely say that your argument holds up absolutely no credibility in real-life situations, or even hypothetical ones for that matter. Comparing a homosexual ran house hold to that of a family of murderers is about the equivalent of using an orange to help explain the makings of an apple. You see, homosexuals do not discourage heterosexuality. They embrace it with open arms. They are well aware they are living a lifestyle most believe not to be the "standard norm". They find it odd that such a large portion of the heterosexual community is constantly obsessing over their way of life.
I am confused myself over what exactly all of you fear will happen if we were to just let them co-exist with us- it's as if you think at any moment they are going to burst through your dining room windows, interrupt your perfect conventional heterosexual family dinner, and start jumping on your tables dancing and screaming at your children "It's good to be gay!!!!". No, they have and will remain unobtrusive in your family life, why can't you do the same for them? Perhaps you can take all that wasted energy and do something progressive and useful with it, like plant some trees or teach your children how to be good people.
Because just as my mother never taught me to be gay, she certainly never taught me it was okay to discriminate against others for their harmless differences. Instead, she taught me this; to be compassionate and caring for others, to love, to laugh, to enjoy beauty and learn from pain, to find my passion and be proud of my accomplishments, to yearn for a better world dictated by peace and love, to seek knowledge and question everything, to stand up for what I believe in and remain strong when others try to knock me down, and above all else, that despite whatever differences and discrepancies lie on the surface, at our very core, we are all still human, we are all connected, so reach out a hand to your brothers and sisters of this spectacular world we all live on and just rejoice in the wonderment of being alive. rejoice in the wonderment of being you.
It is a Choice... maybe if you are bisexual
Are you saying that you choose to feel sexual attractions only to your opposite sex? Because this means that you have the potential to fall in love with both sexes.
This is called bisexuality. Maybe you are bisexual and you don't know, it may be a reason. It happened to me. I couldn't understand how heterosexual people only loved the opposite sex and how homosexual people only loved the same sex. It was difficult to me to understand as it is for you, because I had the possibility to choose.
One can choose to have homosexual sex but not to be homosexual. As you cannot choose to be heterosexual. I am serious. A friend of mine tried to choose being homosexual but she couldn't because it was not her choice. She is heterosexual.
RE: It,s a CHOICE!.......(I disagree)
Are you saying that homosexuality is like murder?!?! I have many Homosexual friends and speaking upon their behalf there is nothing wrong with homosexuality! They were born into it and shame on you for trying to deprive them of love and happiness!
BS
Homosexuality is NOT a choice. I am a straight teen born to gay parents and it's not their choice. They can't help that they love people of the same sex. Just like I can't help loving people of the opposite sex. You can CHOOSE to PRETEND and LIE about your sexual orientation, but that doesn't make it true, that doesn't make it a choice. Murdering and stealing is a choice, drinking, smoking, doing drugs, sex, bad parenting, those are ALL CHOICES. And bad ones at that. Are you saying being a flaming homosexual is a bad thing? The PERSON you are is a product of your choices and decisions, the PERSON you are is a product of nurture. But your sexual orientation is part of your nature, and it is absolutly not a choice.
Not everything comes down to
Not everything comes down to decisions and choices. though we are lead to believe that we can do most anything we set our minds to that is not neccissarially the case. Our genes play a heavy role in who we are right now. you seemed to have missed this vital point. We are the products of our genes and environments aswell as our decisions and choices. if you are suggesting that choices are what make us who we are and all you need to do to get good grades is study, what do you make of people who are genetically predisposed to having learing disiblilities, regardless of the amount of study they may never be able to attain high grades. i suppose you are simallarly suggesting that alcoholism is a choice, though it is defined as an incurable (arguably genetically linked) disease. What makes homosexuality any differnt? humans are not the only animals which have the tendancy to be homo, hetero or bisexual. this must suggest a genetic liniage? our environment and genes combined with our ability to make decisions and ill say it, luck give us the product of who we are today, not meerly our choices
Not so fast
You make no attempt to explain why it is a choice. You simply explain choices. There is still a lot of research that needs to be done. Based on your response, I would guess you're a heterosexual male. Since everything is a choice, why don't you choose to be gay for one year? Actually have a gay sexual relationship. Since you make things sound so simple, it shouldn't be a problem. Right???
Choosing Something That Is NOT Appropriate
Suppose you choose to be an Alcholic for one-year. With some people the smell of alcohol makes them sick. I am actually that way. I am even that way when it comes to coffee. If I were told that I had to drink coffee for an entire year; no doubt within my first week, I shall have committed suicide.
Not so fast yourself. The
Not so fast yourself. The person above, by describing it as a choice, is only half-baked. It would be more accurate to describe it as a preference, or ORIENTATION. Hence the term that has long been in existence. Certainly, we cannot really help what color we find ourselves most attracted to or what music we love the most (though there are chances of ENVIRONMENTAL and SOCIOLOGICAL factors that have chances of influence), why is sexual orientation any different then any other human predilection? Some people change their minds on sexual preference during the course of their lives! Sometimes, our tastes change just the same. At one point, I clearly remember my favorite color was black. Now it is pink. I used to hate seafood. Now I eat sushi and shrimp on a regular basis. There may be some influence from genetic markers but there are also environmental factors, and over all, by free choice. Because I have the make somewhat of a mental decision in my head when I say whether I like or don't like something, and it's entirely subconcious. A lot of factors go into these things. It cannot be purely genetic. Research has yet to prove under proper scientific method, or with results analyzed properly, to conclude this. What I have said is merely the most likely explanation of homosexuality. And this is all without including bisexuality, transexual tendencies, heterosexual crossdressers/transexuals, and a number of other such sexual things. When we start calling homosexuality genetic, why not throw those in? Or why not even something like fetishes? BDSM? Seriously.
Neat stuff.
Seriously, I have 1 gay cousin. Well she was gay before she moved to Texas. Now she is not gay, perhaps genetic magic.
You need to ask yourself about your influences as a child. You need to recall how influences as a child helped you to come to the rock solid conclusion to be gay. There really is no scientific evidence that gay is in a persons genetic code. Even if allot of people are gay in a family simply means that this was the influence of the child when they were young.
I saw a boy go into a foster home gay and come out straight at the age of 6 to 9 years of age.
I need solid scientific proof other the fact that the media is forcing this on us like they do everything else. Now kids watch television at a very young age, see it and it influences them.
We are products of our environment that directly effect our environment and the environment of others. This is psychological theory of course because in all of psychology, it cannot be proven, just like this. But I do wonder still, if we can see an atom, why can't we seem to find this?
lol texas
haha lol as if u wouldnt go straight if u go to texas good luck scissoring or bumin out there for too long
do you know how long it took
do you know how long it took to discover the atom? do you know how many genes there are in the human genome? The human genome has just over 3 billion DNA base pairs encoding containing 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. a single change in just one of these 3 billion base pairs can alter a protien which can dramatically change the way a gene fuctions. the investigation into sexuality being genetically linked was only suggested 20 or so years ago. do you realise how much information needs to be compiled before anyone will accept this hypothesis. give it a chance.
"that which can be asserted without evidence can also be dismissed without evidence" i do believe that there is evedience out there it is just not 'rock solid' enough for people to accept. physical disorders we can accept as being genetically link. why is it that intangiable things such as behaviour are harder for people to digest as being genetically linked.
This is similar with depression. Depression is a legitimate mental disorder, yet in sociaty it is seen as a choice, a weakness. why must we treat everything as a choice till proven otherwise?
Speechless....Okay not really....lol
I looked this up for shits and giggles!!!
As a Gay Christian let me say this. I choose to be a Christian. I choose this after prayer attempt to convert my thoughts to be straight. Trying to ask Jesus into my heart to save me. When I was in the forth grade I had my first crush. On another boy. I didn't get it at first. I went to a Catholic school had a strong Father and a good mother. Went to church three times a week. I have been through it all.. Really. I did not understand sex. I was confused at first.... Then angry!!! I knew within a few years I was gay!!! I was not okay with it. My Mom and Dad really tried to help. Pastors Priests nuns and the list goes on. Then one day I realized something Christ died for me to. There are over 266 sins in the bible!!! There are over 122 condemnable sins. You know what everything is a sin!!! Lying, greed, jealousy, lust, two blends in clothing, eating bottom feeders like crab, two crops in the same field, the list is endless. One road to heaven. Christ's GRACE!!! We are never free from sin till we die. In our act of dying the gift of grace washes away our sins allowing us into heaven. Modern religion likes to teach you can be sin free now. But then the pastor shows up at crab night and were supposed to put him to Death for eating it....lol
Really!!! Grace People.
If you think it really matters this genetic stuff let me tell you this. There is no proof of GOD!!! There is no proof that science is right either. Both take faith in my book. I can say I did not choose to be gay. My Mom new when I was 4 that I was gay. Ask her and my grandmother. They did it all to try and prevent it before realizing how much I was hurting. If a straight man argues to much about it being a choice then he is afraid he might be gay!!! My very best straight male friend told me this!!! I know I did nit choose to be straight. I know you did not choose to be gay and I don't care that you are. If any guy gives you trouble it's because he has doubts in his own mind about Who he is. I have spent many years sharing with others. I have learned a lot. Some people protest to much. Then later a scandal erupts!!! Pastors that preach being gay is a choice are gay!!! They try and hide behind hate!!! They try to pretend they can change. Then end up with prostitutes and young men they are "treating".
Let me Finnish with this. I don't care what anyone really thinks....lol nor should anyone else!!! We are all free to live. Why waste time arguing!!! Here's my advice MOVE ON!!!
Has a news junkie and Internet junkie. Never believe everything you read!! Secure people don't fight like children over issues that have no facts!!! Either way choice or not...lol
Does it really matter???? Be happy!! ;) Count your blessings!!!
You seem to put no effort
You seem to put no effort in fully giving your life to Christ.You seem to actually contribute to this abominable sin.You misuse the mercy and grace of our most high God.As a christian teen in school, I have been around plenty of gay people.I do not judge other people.As a matter of fact,I had some gay friends,but I simply cannot live that lifestlye.In the New testament in the Bible it says"Be ye perfect as the father in heaven is perfect".If I sound like Im coming down on you,I apologize,but we as christians need to separate ourselves from this wicked world.We cannot be Lukewarm.We cant hold hands with God and hold hands with satan at the same time.We can only love one,and dispise the other.I know we're not all perfect,but we are suppose to strive for perfection.As a fellow brother in Christ,I would suggest that you pray an fully meditate on Gods Holy Word and He will will reveal wisdom,knowledge and understanding unto you.I will pray for you and I hope that you understand why this matter is so important.May God bless you and keep you in His Holy Word.Amen
open mind
Thank you David for what you have said. I do believe that God LOVES us all and also has mercy on us all. For God sent not his son into the world to condem the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
purification
as i read this comment i personaly sense the frustration that you were not able to find help to overcome. you clearly understand that homosexuallity is sin, just as murder, stealing, adultry, and fornication, and so many others. if others take your sugestion and i am hearing you correctly then it is ok to continue in those behavior because of GRACE! WAHERE IS HOPE IN THAT? unfortunatly you express very well what the church has lost and that is the process of sanctification that comes after salvation that through obedience to Christ you may be cleansed 1 peter chp 1. Even Christ learned obedience but what he suffered. when we accept Jesus and what God the Father did through him on the cross we have just begun a journey. we have become equiped with the Holy spirit to become sons of God and are now responsible to work out our salvation with fear and trembling phillpians 2:12, so that we can move onto good works. there are basicaaly three stages in a believers walk. 1. Accepting the Gospel message. 2.o walking in obediance to the commands so that through obedience the soul is cleansed and the mind is transformed. romans 12: says we are to be transformed (renovated) and renewed (restored) in our minds (understanding of truth and who God is). scripture tells us this is a process that has to be walked out in obedience tp prepare the person for good work. to sum it up my fellow brother you have to turn in obedience fcrom the act of homosexuality, in that obedience your mind and soul will suffer do to the life sgyle c,hange but over time the mind set of homosexuality will begin to break down and the true love need berried under that behavior will begin to emerge and you will finally see and understand why even at 4 you were drawn to boys. you have a love void that is trying to be filled through homolsexual relationships and that void needs to be cleansed and washed by the Spirit through your obedience a.nd willingness to allow God to heal thet love need. 3rd is good works OUT OF A CLEAN HEART. your heart is not clean in this are of your life and walk and because you have a love void you are unable out of this are of your heart to do good works because of sin still operating in you and through you. once that love void is filled with Gods love that says one thing "God loves You!" then you too will be able out of that love to good works and it is these works that will be counted as righteousness. 1 corin 10-15 tells us that there is no other foundation other than the foundayion we have in Christ and what ever we build on that foundation wether gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or stubble will bw tested by fire and those things that do not stand will be consumed in there will be great loss and those things that do there will be great reward yet you shall be saved by fire. so my friend dont be decieved and know that we as believers will stand in that fire and tbose things we held onto and those things loike homosexuality will not stand and all those works will be consumed, and yes you are right you will be saved but you will also experience great loss from the eternal rewards you have received for turning away from that even if it brought suffering and discomfort. blessing my friend.
I am trying to find an
I am trying to find an article for extra credit in my sociology class concerning this "homosexual gene" thing... I'm not going to use this paper. But I read David's response and I think he has a the right idea about things! Good attitude!
Think About It.
As a rebuttal for the people who think being gay is immoral, I think you need to change your morals to things that help people, and make people happy.
For example: my morals include to be understanding and respectful of people's ideas even if you do not agree. I respect and try to understand your (generalized) hatred for gay people and through this thought process have come to the conclusion that you have simply been raised into hatred and cruelty, with a misunderstanding of individuals of this world. This, of course, is not your, or your ancestor's fault, it is simply a fault of society to think that we should judge everyone just so we can feel better.
One more thing, in the bible it says "Judge not, lest ye be judged." Have we completed disregarded the parts of the bible that actually make a bit of sense? I thought Christians were supposed to let God do the judging of "the sinners" not do it themselves. So why is everyone else wrong?
In conclusion, I strongly believe that being gay is no more a choice than having blond hair or black skin. You are what you are.
Oh! I almost forgot, to the person that was saying people who are homosexual should be "cured" like we want cancer patients to be? Did you ever consider that the people who are gay are OK with being gay? Did you ever consider that they may actually be comfortable with who they are, and, in fact, appreciate it like you cannot? Think about it.
Definitions . . .
The word HATE always comes up when a homosexual is losing his arguement over how the world is forcing him into romance. No one wants to be called a HATER, but on the same token no man wants to step up to plate and scream out I LOVE GAY MEN!!! [After all, THAT wouldn't be a sign of hate to a homosexual.] Homosexualism is always going to be about the study of extremes; due to politics . . . If I hated things the way that I was accused of just for NOT being a homosexual, then I would explode a bomb inside all of the produce markets that sell Brussel Sprouts. The bottom-line; if you eat sourdough French bread that doesn't mean that you hate whole-wheat toast to the point that you will strangle the chef.
Its just the way of looking
Its just the way of looking and thinking, All of animals and humans are Biosexual, we can love each other, sex is no matter, many boys are beutifull as girls and many girls are ateractive as a boy no one can not Undrestand that without breaking or changing his own red lines. (Sorry for my English mistakes)
Look
Finding someone who is gay with gay family does not mean it's genetic it just prove that homosexuality influenced them at a young age. To say you where born that way to me is just making excuses for your decisions. Every one has a choice on if they like male or female look at bisexuals ok are you going to say they only have half of this "Gay Gene". The people they are looking at are only homosexuals with gay families what about the ones that don't. My brother is gay we have the same mother and father he is my twin I am not gay at all nor is my father mother siblings or any of my kin. If it was a gay gene I would have got it too but I love woman and he loves men. Yes my brother does have kids a boy and a girl niether of witch are gay so where did this "Gay Gene" come from? As far as religion goes I am a Christian and what my pastor teaches is non descrimination we accept gays and straights alike so don't say that Christianity is judgemental at all plus half the people that say such have never even steped foot in a church or opened a bible so leave religion out of this it has nothing to do with the choice made to be gay because being gay is not genetic AT ALL
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