Why are some people designed to be gay?

Question

I'm a guy who is dealing with myself. But I'm wondering, is being gay as natural as being straight? What benifet would being gay have to the person or to the benifet of repopulating the species? Humans are designed with large minds to outsmart predators, with thumbs to grab and carry objects and tools, but where does homosexuality fit in with the evolutionary process?

So can we really say that being gay is natural? Of what benifet (on the basic level) does it provide?

I'm not asking if it is a choice or not... I've already realized for myself it is not a choice. I am asking why it seems to be such an integral part of the species when it seems to offer no obvious benifets.

Answer 1

The genetic makeup that has been linked to a woman having a gay child is also related to that same woman being more likely to reproduce, thus increasing her odds of repopulating the human species.

Answer 2

Homosexuality is definitely natural. It's been documented in many species outside of humans. Think of it this way- a straight person can't force themselves to be attracted to people of the same sex, so what makes anyone think homosexuality is a choice? If you're not attracted to someone truly, you can't force it. Thus, gays are naturally attracted to people of the same gender. Why? It could be a hormonal thing, it could be a genetic thing. Science isn't quite sure. I once heard that there had been a gene found that controlled it, but someone also told me that was bogus. But if it was a genetically recessive trait, that would explain its presence in the population, especially since the human population is so large. A recessive trait that is not very common would be very hard to eliminate, evolutionarily. Especially since it's evolutionarily neutral. It doesn't further the species, but it doesn't harm it either. Some people can be carriers, but since the trait doesn't harm them, it can be passed down from generation to generation without a single homosexual showing up for many many years. On the other hand, it does help with population control...

Answer 3

I'm not entirely certain...but the fact that homosexuality has always been with us tends to make me believe that it is really important to the survival of the species. If it weren't it would have been eliminated long ago. Evolution doesn't allow weakness...But what evolution exists on is not the strongest or the best...but the best able to adapt to changes. Maybe by having gay people in the culture we somehow keep the whole spectrum of sexuality open...so as to assist the species survival. This is a very good question. and the only answer that I can come up with sounds very lame here...but nature doesn't allow perpetual 'mistakes' to happen without damn good reason(s).

Answer 4

It is as "natural" as being left-handed. In other words, it is "variant" rather than "aberrant." Adaptation of all species must include "possibility for variance" as a trait for the species to continue. This "chance" for variance allows for the introduction of changes, or new directions that may benefit the survival of the species. Unfortunately, this same variance trait allows for changes that may be undesirable. Either way, it only comes in one package: a kind of dice toss, not under our control. CHANCE. The only way.

Humans will not stop trying to influence the toss of the dice (as in the super-race creation pursuit of Nazi Germany, stem-cell research, etc.) Sensitive territory, to say the least.

Whether it's autism, left-handedness, homosexuality, or whatever: we need not fear. These "variations from the norm" will always be a small percentage (minority) of the human race unless something catastrophic occurs (radiation, or other sci-fi genetic horrors).

Because these variations are undesirable, it is shocking to learn that they are simple, innocent, natural occurrences in the overall evolutionary scheme: one facet of a magnificent diamond; a small part of a total picture!

They will always appear to be undesirable because our view is at fault: narrow, limited, even -- I must say -- ARROGANT.

Ultimately, then, the real issue here is our view of variance. Our current view is tolerance. Well, Is it or isn't it? If there is any place in the world where this view does not prevail, well, then, carry the message there, by all means.

What does all history teach us? Inquisition, Crucifixion, Incarceration, Slavery, ... Or TOLERANCE.

Someone summed up the message of tolerance for variance by simply saying: "God doesn't make junk."

Answer 5

Gay exist in the anmial kingdom and no one knows exactly what is the evolutionary purpose of being gay in either humans or animal kingdom. But then what is the purpose of being born with blue eyes as oppose to brown eyes, what is the purpose of boldness versus full hair, and what is the purpose of a man having nipples!! The fact that people are born gay, animals are gay by nature, and all are God's making. This is nature. Some religious groups decided to say: It is to limit the population of the earth. I do not believe it.

Answer 6

Homosexuality is caused by certain chemical balances in the brain. Only recently has it begun to become accepted as being involuntary. As such, not much research has been completed with regards to possible benefits. As you have pointed out, humans developed larger brains and cognitivie abilites, enabling them to climb their way to the top of the food chain. Perhaps homosexuality was a means of population control. It sounds cruel, but it is an honest answer---if a predator is never prey, overpopulation could destroy it. Homosexuality could be a way of easing the strain on resources by slowing the growth of global human population.

On a more individual level, homosexuality, as being the minority with regards to sexuality, could reduce the risk of personal injury or damage in many respects. It would reduce or eliminate all competition for mates (again, sounds savage, but it's true) in regards to the homosexual in question, hence providing that individual with a possibility of a longer lifespan.

Answer 7

Some of us are just lucky.

Yes, its just as natural. Its been identified in every species known to man. There are many benefits, such as population control, escorts (safety) for women, babysitting for friends, caring friends and support networks, etc. We are unmarried and without children, this means we have more 'throw-away' money without children to spend it on. Its why we're called D.I.N.K.S or Double Income, No Kids. It gives us an easier life, financially, unless of course you want children.

So, yes, of course its natural. Boundaries are unnatural. When you look at a map, the only thing truly "drawn" are the borders and even THAT is to separate people.

Answer 8

Why are some people born taller than others? Why are some people born with green eyes, and others blue? Why is it that sometimes one eye could be a different color from the other eye (like the lovely Jane Seymore)? It's genetics.

And how does it benefit repopulating the species? There are straight people who are infertile. It does not make them unnatural. Just because you are gay, it does not mean your reproductive organs are not working.

It's natural because its a product of nature, not nurture.

;-)

Answer 9

It's a natural result of genetic inheritance, I struggled with my sexuality before coming out thinking I was the only one, and to my surprise I discovered that I was amongst many. Don't blame anybody including yourself, it is a function of nature.

Society, governments, the establishment and religions make you believe that you are not natural but homosexuality has been around for longer than any of these so called institutions.

Answer 10

The theory that one in four is gay provides a 25% population that is not encumbered with families, children, etc. Assuming this number is true, which I don't, that means that every family would have at least one gay aunt/uncle to help support aging parents, and/or widowed sisters.

There's a natural reason to have gays.