is there any viable evidence that homosexuality is genetic and not soley a lifestyle choice?

Question

this isn't a question designed to arouse ire or incite any kind of verbal throwdown. i'm just wondering where science stands on this.

i'm asking because there are so many arguments on the topic, and i was wondering if there were any facts in evidence to help prove or disprove various theories.

okay. lookit.

after checking out some of these answers, it kinda seems like if there is some kind of unbiased scientific evidence, it's pretty hard to sunstantiate with 'would anybody choose to live a tortured lifestyle?'

well, no. but i don't think schizophrenics, or rapid cycling bipolars, or geniuses choose to be those things either, and there's usually some kind of evidence to support how these things happen. like ... it's the hypothalmus, or it's their serotonin, or their norepinephrine or something.

and before i get the hell slammed out of me, i think it's important to note that i'm gay myself and have often wondered the same thing. not because of any self loathing, but because i think it's sorta interesting to find out these kinds of things. will having some kind of scientific explanation change me or my opinions about things or make me seek out some kind of straightness pill? hell no.

personally, i think it's genetic. can i prove it? no i can't. all i know is that i've been aware of it since i was 3, and that spells genetic to me. still, i understand being curious about the scientific aspect. it's always good to have strong ammunition when you've got a lot of ignorant so and sos telling you you could change if you wanted to. or that god hates gays (even though he created us).

and as for comprehending rhetoric i've got two degrees. one in history and one in poli sci. i've also worked at the state senate level. i think i have a fairly good grasp of analytical thinking and the art of debate.

cheers.

Answer 1

No one knows exactly why people are gay, lesbian, or bisexual, any more than we know why people are heterosexual. Many theories have been suggested as to why people are gay, lesbian, or bisexual, including hormonal differences, genetic predispositions, family interactions, social and emotional factors, or early sexual experiences. None of these theories is, as yet, widely accepted. There is a lot of evidence to suggest that homosexuality and bisexuality are, at least in part, determined by genetic factors prior to birth. Research continues to be conducted in these areas.

Regardless of why people are gay, lesbian, or bisexual, it is now clear that people do not "choose" to be homosexual or bisexual. Even if people do not have sexual experiences until they are adults, their sexual orientation is determined early in life. This means that whether a person is sexually abused as a child has no bearing on whether he or she will be gay, lesbian, or bisexual. While some people who identify themselves as gay, lesbian, or bisexual have been sexually abused as children, there are also many heterosexual adults who were abused as children.

Similarly, it does not appear that sexual orientation can be changed or altered. Whether through psychotherapy, religious experiences, or other means, there is virtually no likelihood that one's sexual orientation can be permanently changed. While our sexual behavior may be quite variable, orientation is more stable. A heterosexual person can no more be "changed" to be homosexual than a gay or lesbian person can be "made" heterosexual. Psychotherapies or religious organizations that claim to change sexual orientation focus on changing sexual behavior, not sexual orientation. Gay, lesbian, and bisexual people can best be helped by accepting who they are, rather than trying to change who they are.

Answer 2

There are several scientific studies that have shown that there are many factors that go into determining one's sexual orientation, attractions, and sexual desires.

Studies on biology and sexual orientation have shown that, at least in part, there is a biological basis for sexual orientation. The main biological factors are generally thought to be genetic and hormonal. However, most scientists agree that it is unlikely that there is a single "gay gene" that determines something as complex as sexual orientation, and that it is more likely to be the result of a number of biological, social, and environmental factors. The view that post-natal environmental influence is the sole determinant of sexual orientation gender is increasing rare among most of the scientific community.

Even if there was conclusive evidence that homosexuality is the result of biology and genetics, what difference will it make? Racial discrimination has not gone away even though there is no doubt that racial determination is genetic. Sexism exists even though we know that sexual determination is genetic.

Finding a 'gay gene' will neither make homosexuality morally or socially acceptable to those that refuse to accept it, nor will it diminish homophobia.

Answer 3

As far as I know, no "gene" for any kind of sexuality has been located, and I kind of doubt there ever will be. So it probably is not correct that anyone claim that sexuality of any kind is "genetic."

That said, however, there is much research going on regarding the impact of the mother's hormone levels on the developing fetus, particularly on the brain and each person's sexuality as well as on the physical, visible sex characteristics (such as penis size, always a popular topic).

Whatever the scientific perspectives eventually reveal, one thing is for sure. My homosexuality is my nature; homosexual is what I was born as, whether I like it or not. Other aspects of my personality have also been with me from birth: my cheerfulness, optimism, desire to help others, queasiness about heights and needles and blood, and so on. These things I cannot change, just as I cannot change my sexuality. Of course, to save someone else's life, I could overcome my fears and give someone an injection of anti-bee-sting-stuff, or, to save my life, I might be led to lie about my sexuality or even to have sex with women. But for me each of these things would be wrong and would be contrary to my nature.

I don't know how to explain it in any other way to get you to understand that the only lifestyle choice I had regarding my sexuality was whether to lie about it or to live with integrity. I chose to live with integrity, which is my nature.

You need to be careful about how you structure your thinking about science and about how people who are scientists think. The idea that "science" actually has "a single stance" on this matter is very naive.

Before you go on thinking that answers to humanity's complex questions are conveniently available, so that people with little education and even less understanding can "decide for themselves" what the truth is, you had better learn a few things about how little the human race actually knows with certainty.

I suggest that you learn a LOT about rhetoric and argument, and about evidence, reasoning, authority, logical fallacies, and a lot more before you waste your time trying to "decide" something or "make up your mind" about something you know nothing about. Sorry if I sound angry or impatient -- I am not. I am a teacher.

Answer 4

I don't know of any conclusive evidence but a lot of research is pointing in that direction. Speaking as a gay person myself I certainly did not choose this. I in fact, like most gay people, knew I was gay at a very early age. I just didn't know what it was til I was about 11 or 12 and then society got the best of me at about age 14 but I have since come to peace with myself and realize tha I am who I am and I'm not the one with the problem the people who hate me because of it are the ones with the real problem.

Answer 5

There is some scientific evidence that it is genetic, with more research going on that may prove it conclusively. But all that is needed is logic - why would anyone CHOOSE a "lifestyle" that gets them shunned, discriminated against, even murdered by bigots? Often rejected by their families and "friends." It has to be a very strong natural force for a person to do something that marks him/her as an outcast in much of society.

Answer 6

Do I really need to define what a lifestyle is AGAIN? The only 100% certain similiarity between between lesbians and gays is that they are attracted to someone of the same gender. Is that a lifestyle? No, it is a personality characteristic. Being a Soccer Mom, a NASCAR Dad, living in Malibu, or living on a farm are lifestyle choices. Being LGBT is not a lifestyle choice, or any other kind of choice. Why on earth would anyone choose to be something that they know is going to cause them to be subjected to this kind of abuse, and worse?

Answer 7

This may help a little.....I have been in a relationship with my gf for the past two years. Last year I found out that my dad wasn
t my real dad, I also found out that not only one of my biological aunts was lesbian but two of them were. So, I think for some it is a preference and for others it is genetic.

Answer 8

A recent study says that you are more likely to be gay if you are a younger brother than if you are a first born son. So yeah, there is evidence that being gay is biological if not genetic.

Answer 9

u know i also think y would anyoen choose to be that way when they know its only a hard path down the road so i think its just the way ppl r born. striaght ppl wont know this but if u r gya or whatever its coz u r liek jsut liek u r a guy or a girl its not a choice its somethign u r born with

Answer 10

Ummm how about is there any evidence what makes a straight person? I have lots of straight friends and one who knows I'm bi asked me one time what makes me think I'm bi, Well my answer went like this: You know how you look at a female and drool and drool over her feet because she is the bomb lol well that doesn't happen to me just with females.