Here's What Science has to say about Homosexuality. Got my sources.?

Question

This is a follow up of my previous question. I just want to know why you people are so crabby? Why do you get all defensive?
I am gay myself, and I think it's Natural, but I don't tell people I was born this way. You are brought up this way.


1-What Causes a Person To Have a Particular Sexual Orientation?

Most scientists today agree that sexual orientation is most likely the result of a complex interaction of environmental, cognitive and biological factors. In most people, sexual orientation is shaped at an early age. There is also considerable recent evidence to suggest that biology, including genetic or inborn hormonal factors, play a significant role in a person's sexuality. In summary, it is important to recognize that there are probably many reasons for a person's sexual orientation and the reasons may be different for different people.

2-Sexual orientation emerges for most people in early adolescence without any prior sexual experience.

http://www.apa.org/topics/orientation.html#cantherapychange

To the guy who accused me of being gay...Did I reject the fact I am?
God,,you're so silly

Answer 1

So whats your question. seems like you answered them and found your own sources.

so, are you just trying to make a statement? or.....?

Answer 2

"Most scientists today agree that sexual orientation is most likely the result of a complex interaction of environmental, cognitive and biological factors."

As a person with a degree in biology and psychology, I have no idea where one reading this would get the idea being gay was anything BUT a primarily biological phenomenon. (BORN WITH) Environmental factors has a biological subfactor, cognitive factors has an ENORMOUS biological component (Cognition including memory, attention, perception and other biological phenomena) and Biological factors is, ahem, biological factors.

That would indicate a genetic predisposition, or more adequately, a diathesis-support model (a predisposition+the ability to engage in sexual contact/thought. This later can be removed by terror, for example, in some third world countires where gay people are executed violently.)

Answer 3

I don't get it. What's your question? People's sexual orientation is the result of both biological and environmental factors. As is every single other aspect of people's personality. This is not news to anyone, or it shouldn't be.

If you're trying to prove people are not born gay you should read that quote more carefully. A biological factor means you're born with it. Unless an accident or something physically changed your brain, I guess you could argue that was biological. Also, remember when babies are born their brains are not fullky developed. Their neural pathways continue to form in the first years and the way their brain becomes hard wired is based in some part on their expriences in early life. If their experiences as a small child played some part in their sexual orientation and that affected the development of their brain, it's a stretch, but you could say that's a biological factor in your adult personality.

Answer 4

There is at least a strong biological component. It's not just "nurture." Check these sources out:

Hall, J. A. Y. and D. Kimura, "Dermatoglyphic Asymmetry and Sexual Orientation in Men," Behavioral Neuroscience 108 (1994): 1203-1206.

Hamer, Dean and Peter Copeland. The Science of Desire. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1994.

LeVay, Simon. The Sexual Brain. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1993.

Matthews, John. "Supporting the Biological Link." ASU Research (1994): n. pag. Online. Internet. 4 November 1997.

Wertz, Dorothy C. "Genetics and Homosexuality," The Gene Letter 1 (1996): n. pag. Online. Internet. 4 November 1997.

http://www.apa.org/topics/orientation.html#choice

http://www.psych.org/public_info/HOMOSE~1.HTM

http://www.theatlantic.com/atlantic/issues/97jun/burr2.htm

http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/rainbow/html/facts_mental_health.html

Answer 5

But it SAYS that there is 'also considerable recent evidence to suggest that biology, including genetic or inborn hormonal factors, play a significant role' which means that you CAN be "born that way". The very source that you cite disagrees with your original assertion.

Sorry to sound crabby - first cup of coffee, yanno.

Answer 6

Here are some documented statements:

In his book, Overcoming Homosexuality, Dr. Robert Kronemeyer says, "From my 25 years experience as a clinical psychologist, I firmly believe that homosexuality is a learned response to early painful experiences and that it can be unlearned."

Even homosexuals who are honest about their behavior have admitted they were not born gay. John Dececco, editor of The Journal Of Homosexuality, says homosexuality is a "behavior, not a condition" and that "the idea that people are born into one type of sexual behavior is entirely foolish." ["A Biological Theory For Sexual Preference," USA Today, (March 1, 1989), p. 40]

Bill Flatt, Ed. D. , says, "Conditioning is the predominant cause of homosexuality: conditioning by parents, siblings, by dating and other experiences. Genetics alone is never the cause. Genetic studies of homosexual and heterosexual groups cannot accurately distinguish between the two groups." [Counseling Homosexuals, (Jonesboro: National Christian Press, 1985) p. 65]

If you are trying to "prove" that people are born gay, you are mistaken.

Answer 7

Well that applies to heterosexuality, says orientation not homosexuality. Nowhere does this say that it is not natural, it is talking about the numerous factors involved, including genetic and inborn hormonal factors.

I for one couldn't care less about whether homosexuality or heterosexuality is a choice or not. I will still not discriminate against gay people because they choose it.

Answer 8

But that's not saying there's no biological basis, which is a different argument. It's like talking about genetic predisposition to things like addiction and mental illnesses. Just because you have said combination of genes or chemicals doesn't mean you'll definitely develop the full-blown condition, but that you're more at risk. So it's not actually saying you're NOT born that way either...

Hang on, why are we discussing this in R&S?!

Answer 9

Okay, so it may differ from person to person. Still...if genes and inborn hormonal factors play a role...then the person is born that way.

I don't really care either way. A person's sexual orientation is not my main concern.

Answer 10

"There is also considerable recent evidence to suggest that biology, including genetic or inborn hormonal factors, play a significant role in a person's sexuality"

um, that is something you are BORN with.

Answer 11

I don't understand why any of this matters to you. If you are gay go live the best life you can. It isn't a persons sexual orientation that matters. It is their heart, mind, and actions. Just like it doesn't matter what your skin color is.