If it is not nature or nuture, than what is the reason?

Question

I believe it is genetic, but there are some cases of unfortunate proof that it may not be. Just keep listening. Identical twins-- one is gay, while the other is straight. Two people share identical DNA. If it was DNA-based, they would both share the same sexuality. Can we explain this? Well we can say that it is not nurture, since they've both been raised in the same environment (which theoretically would make them both straight or gay).

So I think it is not nature or nurture.
It's not genetic, it's not environmental.

How can we explain it? I am gay, and I honestly don't know why. I just am, and I know a lot of you feel the way I do. I want to say it is genetic, but at the same time I know I don't pick to like guys. What do you feel influences sexuality?

The question should be: "If it is not nature or nurture, then what is the reason?" A spelling and a grammatical mistake.

@Mac Hine: Yes, for a bit I wished I was straight. I just thought it would make things easier, you know?

@ryeguy123a: You're right. I don't care that I like guys. I would like to know why I do, though. I feel if we can't we give an explanation, then we won't be able to progress, socially and politically, even though the acceptance of being gay has come a long way.

@Radagast_23: Given what you said, I would hope that it is not genetic! I would hope that there is no way to control sexuality. I don't think that type of "scientific advancement" [I put that in quotes because it is a step towards science, but I don't consider it an advancement in equality] would happen in a long time. Who would fund that?

For the record, I do have an older brother, since someone mentioned something about hormones and child birth.

Answer 1

A caterpillar paints a rainbow on the mothers stomach while she is pregnant.

Answer 2

Even in the case of twins, where one is gay and the other is straight, that doesn't mean it's isn't genetic. In fact, when one twin is gay there's at least a 50% chance that the other one will be too... which is a lot larger than the general population. It could be that there are genetic predispositions to becoming gay - meaning, genetically, you were more likely to be gay - that are influenced by other factors.

It could also be tangently genetic - determined by your mother's genes, not your own. For example, there's a lot of evidence that shows that for each boy a mother has, the younger boys are more and more likely to be gay. A lot of scientists have developed a theory - one that I believe in - that, for men, whether or not they become gay is determined by the hormones in their mother's womb. Each boy they have creates a larger amount of that hormone, which makes the subsequent boys more likely to be gay.

In the end, though, what does it matter? You're gay. That's the way you are. Whether it's nature or nuture or some combination of both, you can't change the fact that you're gay. That was decided by whatever force well before you could have possibly had any control over it. I wouldn't change the fact that I'm gay if it was as easy as turning a light switch: we get a unique outlook on life that only gay people ever get to experience. Plus, guys are hot =p

Answer 3

p.graph -- that is a fairly simple question -- it relates to genetic penetrance.

I know that doesn't get discussed very often, but it is the exact reason that one child in a pair of identical twins can be homosexual and the other heterosexual.

The exact same dna does not mean the exact same expression of dna.

I have linked to a definition of genetic penetrance from biology online, and a more indepth description that was accurate at the moment I checked it -- but for all I know will not be by the time you read it. This is not my discipline, so I recommend that you consult with a college level bio-genecist if you want more detail than I can offer.

However, penetrance is the answer and there is absolutely no conflict between divergent identical twins and a genetic explanation for homosexuality.

I wish there were -- I believe that without knowing what else they are destroying society will elect to wipe us out, as soon as they are sure of what genes to watch for. Watson (co-discoverer of dna - in fact) has already called for selective abortion to eliminate homosexuals prior to birth -- expect more and more of the same from the Right once they can no longer deny that it is a genetic expression. Those scientists who are working so hard to determine the genetic basis might as well have a gun to our heads, intending to pull the trigger on the unborn --- regardless, as far as I can tell from reviewing the evidence, there really isn't much, if any, chance of it not being genetic anymore.

Kind thoughts,

Reyn
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Answer 4

About 2 months ago I saw a 60 minutes just on this topic.

I'm not sure what it is- I know that people don't all of a sudden drop everything and say, "I decided going to be gay!- I want to like the same sex", so I definately think that either DNA or some brain component has a factor on who is or is not gay.

But then again if twins -we're talking about people who have the same DNA- are born, and one is straight, and one is gay, how is it that it can be DNA?

Some say the enviroment we are in contributes to the factos of whether or not you are gay. I'm not quite sure about that yet, because being gay is just something you are...or at least it feels like it.

It's definately not a personal choice, but maybe its more like a prefrence- I don't know! That sounds wrong too, because it seems that people are just born gay!

"There is one area of consensus: that homosexuality involves more than just sexual behavior; it’s physiological."

My head hurts now...

Answer 5

I understand your confusion, and it is a question for which no clarity exits, unfortunately...

However, as far as Identical twins are concerned, the subject is a sketchy one in medical science, and very complicated. I may be wrong, but to my knowledge twins are not genetically Identical, but merely share physiological attributes and other characteristics of that nature (Eye color, skin tone, body type, etc.)

And I also understand the implications of "choice". I personally believe that choosing to be gay is ludacris, considering how prevalent hate and other things like that are. Its a scary life being gay, and I most definitely don't "choose" to be so. To me, it must be some very deep-seated, and quite possibly genetic.

External influence does not hold much merit with me, as my brother and I were raised in an Identical environment, and only I am homosexual. Some people believe that the lack of a father figure in ones life leads to homosexuality. Now, some looking at my situation (Fatherless for all my life) might think that such a theory holds as provable, but as mentioned previously, I have a heterosexual brother raised in the same situation.

Now, if homosexuality was genetic, It would logically exist as the natural check of heterosexuality. A random gene code to act as population control. Now there are multiple theories that string from this core theory, but its almost as complicated as the twin theory previously mentioned.

American Sex Expert Dr. Alfred Kinsey was dedicated to the belief that human sexuality is a constantly changing, cyclical phenomena. In lame mans terms, Kinsey believed that all human beings are bisexual, and go through phases of preference, ranging from 0-6 (0 being solely heterosexual, and 6 being solely homosexual), but spend most of there lives closer to either opposite side of the sexuality spectrum. I don't much believe that theory, but many do.

In truth, no one really knows were homosexuality comes from, but what is known is that it has existed since the dawn of time (Achilles Hero of Troja and Patroclus, or even Alexander the Great and Hephestian the Loyal) in both humans and animals.

I know for sure that I do not choose to be homosexual, and that little but of clarity is all I need to know that If it is just as as Heterosexuality, than it is just as deserving of rights of that nature.

~Charlie Murder
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Answer 6

Homosexuality has been shown to be linked to nature without any linkage to nurture.

A scientific study published in "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences" said that researchers have known for years that a man's likelihood of being gay rises with the number of older biological brothers. But the new study found that the so-called "fraternal birth order effect" persists even if gay men were raised away from their biological families.

Anthony F. Bogaert, Ph.D., professor at Brock University, said "The research suggests that the development of sexual orientation is influenced before birth."

The older-brother effect was constant regardless of whether the men were raised with natural, adopted or stepbrothers. It also didn't matter if they weren't raised with their biological mothers.

If gay younger brothers and older brothers don't have the same home environments, what do they have in common? "They shared the same uterus, the same womb, the same mother," Bogaert said.

Answer 7

I believe that the reasons differ for us all: For some, it is nature, and for some, it's nurture. I know I was born a lesbian. I think most gay people were really born gay. Some don't act on it until later in life or not at all, but in their hearts, they KNOW they weren't meant for the opposite sex. Some people "turn to it" after being really abused by rape or by abusive, failed heterosexual relationships. I was never really interested in males and after 37 years of living, I still know I'm a lesbian, and I was never abused by males. I simply LOVE women emationally, sexually, romantically... but I don't have those feelings for males by my own nature. I believe that nature decides who and what everyone will be attracted to and it's not a choice. But every now and then I meet someone who began as a bisexual and later chose one gender over the other (because of preferences, or because of a committed relationship). Gays in general cannot choose their feelings any more that heterosexual people do. The only "choice" we have is to live a lie and be miserable or to live the way nature created us and be happy.

Answer 8

Being Gay may be different from Gay person to Gay person. There is no scientific proof of why some people are Gay.

This is what I believe, right or wrong here it is. I believe God mad me Gay for a reason.

Being Gay, Straight, Trans, Bi isn't a choice.

We are all sexual beings. By extension, each of us has a sexual orientation: an enduring attraction — be it sexual, romantic, emotional or affectional — to another person. Sexual orientation, however, varies from one individual to the next and exists on a continuum that ranges from exclusive homosexuality to exclusive heterosexuality. Between these two poles, there exist various forms of bisexuality.

It's thought sexual orientation is likely the result of complex interactions of a number of factors — genetics, cognitive, environmental, and biological.

Sexual orientation is different from sexual behavior: sexual orientation refers to feelings and to self-concept. People may — or may not — express their sexual orientation in their behaviors.

In most people, yes, and their sexual orientation emerges in early adolescence. What's more, there's also considerable evidence to suggest that genetic and hormonal factors play a key role in shaping a person's sexuality.

Answer 9

I would think it is a combination of both. People are genetically predisposed to a lot of things. Doesn't mean that all of them will happen. Take alcoholism, Just because they are genetically predisposed doesn't mean they will get it. There are a lot more examples. No, I am not comparing alcoholism to homosexuality.

Answer 10

I don't care what it is. I am what/who I am, and part of that happens to be a lesbian. I don't question or try to explain it, what is the point in that? If you are happy the way you are then why feel such a need to make excuses for it. It doesn't matter what influences sexuality, it is what it is.

Answer 11

I genuinely believe that the source of sexuality will never be found out. Sexuality in itself is so fluid, and there are so many facets that vary from person to person, it almost seems impossible to pinpoint exactly what predicts our sexual outcome. This does NOT, however, stop me from having my own personal feelings on the subject. I believe sexuality is influenced by a mixture of all factors actually. I think it can be greatly environmental (while growing up, my environment was strictly heterosexual, therefore that's what i thought was "right" and i played the straight role for years...until i moved out. lol), i also believe its something innate that develops within a person as he or she grows older. I believe we are all born WITHOUT a sexual orientation. As infants, we are innocent and void of sexual needs and desires. But as we grow older and began having our own experiences, experimentations, etcetera...we find what turns us on and what doesn't, and we go from there.

That's just my take on it.