Why are people gay?

Question

I recently read an article with the following quote: "Tellingly two founders of a ministry established to 'heal' homosexuals later described their program as 'ineffective ... not one person was healed'."


Before you answer this question, please give it some deep thought. I am asking this question for a college survey assignment.

Check out this article, if you can:
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/magazine/articles/2005/08/14/what_makes_people_gay/

Question: Why are some people gay? Do you believe that 80% of people (including heterosexuals) have had an attraction to their same gender at some point in their life? Do you believe being gay is a phase? Or do you believe people are born gay? What makes people gay? Is it genetics? Why do you think so? Or is it a choice? In a society that makes it very difficult to be gay, why do you think people would make that choice? Do you think people's upbringing and lifetime circumstances affect people and cause them to become gay?

I have offended some people by asking this question and I didn't mean to. My brother is gay and I love him and would do anything for him. I really am just curious what other people think. I was actually trying to just understand different people's views, opinoins, and thoughts. It wasn't about hurting anyone, honestly. I don't enjoy doing that to people. Please accept my apology. thanks

Answer 1

OK, I'll answer your questions 1 by 1...

Why are some people gay?
They are born that way.

Do you believe that 80% of people (including heterosexuals) have had an attraction to their same gender at some point in their life?
It wouldn't surprise me if that attraction wasn't strong enough to act upon.

Do you believe being gay is a phase?
No. The only phase part I know of being gay is being in the closet.

Or do you believe people are born gay?
Yes.

What makes people gay?
Is it genetics?
Why do you think so?
Scientific studies have shown a difference in the hypothalamus of the brain between homosexual and heterosexual people. At first there was a debate if the brain started out the same and changed over time due to sexual attraction or if it started out differently. Recent studies have shown chromosomal differences and it is widely believed that as gene mapping continues the precise gene will be found. (I included some sources if you are interested).

Or is it a choice?
The only choice is to deny your sexual attraction and attempt to lead a straight life (which unfortunately for those involved usually turns out quite poorly) or to accept your sexual attraction and attempt to live happily.

In a society that makes it very difficult to be gay, why do you think people would make that choice?
Due to society making very difficult to be gay, I think that shows that people do not choose homosexuality. In Islamic countries it is punishable by death, yet there is still homosexuality in those countries.

Do you think people's upbringing and lifetime circumstances affect people and cause them to become gay?
I do not think their upbringing causes them to be gay, but is likely a factor if they accept their homosexuality or not. Among teenagers who identify as gay, the suicide rate is unfortunately high and societal views on homosexuality is the most likely factor.

Answer 2

I know that when children are young (kindergarten aged) they like children of their own gender, but whether or not that is genuine attraction, I would not know. I think people may be born with the tendincy to be more feminine or masculine, and this may also be the same as being born "gay" or "straight". I have read that many adults who are gay, have had very abusive and unhappy childhoods. This was thought to have lead to the child not deleloping "normally" and being stuck in the "stage" of liking another person of the same gender.
I think that some people chose to be gay to be different, or to gain attention (a higschooler). But who, in the end of it all, would want such negative attention?
One thing that I do know, is that two male beings (or two female beings) cannot in any way be truly "joined" together, and create offspring. This is, I believe is scientific "way" that shows that that lifestyle is not "right" with the laws of nature.
I do believe that it is a persons upbringing and life time circumstances that cause them to be gay.
I hope I have not offended anyone with this.

Answer 3

Why Are People Gay

Answer 4

Question: Why are some people gay?

Do you believe that 80% of people (including heterosexuals) have had an attraction to their same gender at some point in their life? Yes, absolutley. Although many people are ashamed to admit it, even to themselves.

Do you believe being gay is a phase? No.

Or do you believe people are born gay? Yes and no. I believe that some people are genetically prone to being gay, while others chose to be.

What makes people gay? Genetics, environment, childhood history, preferences

Is it genetics? yes

Why do you think so? Hasn't that been been proven?

Or is it a choice? That too

In a society that makes it very difficult to be gay, why do you think people would make that choice? Forbidden fruit

Do you think people's upbringing and lifetime circumstances affect people and cause them to become gay? yes

Answer 5

People are gay because they are born that way. My daughter is a lesbian, not because she was recruited by some secret lesbian cult, nor was she EVER sexually abused. She is a lesbian because she was born that way. She has always had male tendencies. From the time she was able to walk she chose playing with her brothers toys over hers. She was never into baby dolls or the easy bake oven I bought her, but give her a toy gun or toy cars and she would play for hours. I told my children, from the time they were old enough to understand, that it didn't matter if they turned out to be gay, I would love them no matter what. The reason I made sure they understood this is because I have a very close male friend who is gay and when we were in high school he was terrified to tell his parents. I never wanted my children to be afraid to tell me anything!!! My daughter is almost 16 years old now and told me she was attracted to other girls just over a year ago. Some heterosexual males could learn from my daughter, she has very good taste in women. Did having older brothers influence my daughter to be gay? I don't know, but I also don't care. She is who she is and I will love her no matter what. I can honestly tell you that she didn't CHOOSE to be gay. She gets picked on at school everyday. She's tormented and called a "nasty lesbian" by her narrow minded classmates. She even has one teacher that calls her "Sir" but the school will do nothing about it. For those of you who think it's a choice, why would anyone choose to be ridiculed and tormented like this? I make sure she has a safe, accepting environment to come home to.

I do believe that, at some point in life, most people do feel an attraction to someone of the same sex. For me, I do realize when other women are attractive. I can appreciate a nice female form, but I have never felt a strong enough attraction to act on it. I have never had a lesbian experience.

I am not sure I answered all of your questions. My only source is life and understanding people.

Answer 6

I think I was born gay. I don't think 80% of people had same-gender attraction--some people move back and forth, but most people are straight all the way, some people are gay all the way, and a very few people are in between. I do think it's genetic, because as long as I can remember, I've felt sexual attraction to other boys, even before I knew what "gay" was. Why would people choose to be gay? They wouldn't...more proof that it isn't a choice. I don't think upbringing has anything to do with it.

Answer 7

I believe without a doubt that I was born gay. I have also been to a psychiatrist to figure this out for real. I am not opposed to people who view it as a choice cuz that is what they will let their mind tell them. My upbringing was your normal disfunctional family setting. I have a younger sister and an older brother. Nothing I can remember has supposedly changed my mind about the opposite sex. I just got to know myself better as I grew up and evolved. I happened to be emotionally, physically, and mentally attracted to someone who happens to have a p.ussy between their legs. I have great relationships with the opposite sex. I just cannot foresee a future of fullfilled love with them. I have been in love twice. It's heartbreaking but I have learned a lot. I can't make myself feel these feelings for men. I have tried and knew that it wasn't meant for me. I have a very supportive and understanding family. Not all people do, regardless of whether they are straight or gay.

Answer 8

The reason you might not be getting too many constructive or detailed answers is that we in the GLBT section are asked this same question several times a day, and have simply got a bit tired of answering it. You could try using the 'search for questions' feature to get previous answers, which will probably give you all the information you need.

For me, in brief: born gay, realised before puberty, pretty sure it can't be a choice, don't know enough about genetics to explain how it happens, and doubtful that upbringing or circumstances could affect anyone's born sexuality.

I know your question was well-meant, definitely more so than a lot of the times it's asked, but it is hard for us to keep repeating ourselves over and over. I hope you understand. Good luck with your assignment.

Answer 9

There was an article a few months back in Scientific American Mind which was very enlightening. It said that sexuality is a spectrum, not just a matter of homosexuality or heterosexuality. It's like a reverse Bell curve. Most people fall more toward one end or the other, but there are a lot of people who fall somewhere in between, either at different times in their lives or throughout their lives.

They don't have the entire article online (well, they do, but you have to pay $5 for it) but you can probably find that particular issue in your local library.

Here is a link:
http://www.sciammind.com/article.cfm?&articleID=00062352-4947-13D9-810183414B7F0000

Answer 10

Yes I believe that 80% of the people are attracted to the same gender. Yes I beleive that people are born with it. It can be a choice when you have had enough of being messed around with the other sex, but the other sex will always be their as option when you are done with your phase.

The last question I will have to say no to the upbringing and yes to the lifetime circumstances.

Genetics and going through crappy stuff in life will make you attracted to the same sex.