Why does homosexuality have to be either a choice or genetic?

Question

When you think about it, aren't these the two least likely possibility for the existence of homosexuality? If there were gene(s) responsible for homosexuality, then they should quickly be selected against because of the relative inability for such a gene to spread to offspring. For such a gene to exist, its inability to propagate would have to offset by a huge survival advantage, and I really can't imagine what that would be.

As for it being a choice, for one I find it doubtful that homosexuals would choose their lifestyle with the severe negative stigma attached to it. Secondly, I'm pretty sure my heterosexual preference isn't under my conscience control, so I don't see why it would be any different for a homosexuals.

I can see two better possibilities as to why homosexuality exist. One is that balance of hormones in the womb effects ones sexual preference. Secondly is that our sexual preference is burned into our brain before reaching puberty without our knowing.

Anyway, either option seems likely then the two choices often presented. Why doesn't anyone discuss the other possibilities and instead choose to present a false dichotomy?

Jake0670: You misunderstand my intentions here. I don't believe there is anything wrong with homosexuality. The reason why I'm curious about the subject is that contradict what we know of how sexuality works. It's not different than looking at a bumblebee and wondering why it contradicts the laws of aerodynamics for example. It is because I am interested in sexuality in general as well as why of heterosexuality that homosexuality becomes an interesting science problem.

If I had some sort of prejudice against homosexuals, I'd probably be appealing to the same God that you are right now. Silly me to believe that gaining an understanding of who we are as humans would breed tolerance and understanding.

Jolly Roger: Do you have any more information on this eye color and gay gene connection? On the surface it seems to bring up an even deeper mystery. I can make sense that there is gene that makes one more likely to be gay connected to some important function of a body, most likely sexual reproduction itself. Even in that case, it would be a gene that makes only more susceptible to becoming gay just like some genes make one susceptible to a heart attack (that's as far as the analogy goes). However, eye color-gay genes doesn't make sense on the surface for the reasons I mentioned earlier, what's the benefit for the genes existence, reciprocal altruism? You have any more info on this study? Although it has occured to me that mitochondrial DNA might be a cause of male homosexuality, since mitochondria doesn't care either way since its a dead end for them. Some animal studies back up non-genetic causes when you consider that rats sexuality can be determined by stimulating the anus.

Anyway, interesting point about fetishes. So in theory, a bisexual's sexual preference could be formed the same manner that a fetish normally is, but it comes no closer to explaining homosexuality itself.

Answer 1

Actually your assumption about the genetics is probably wrong, espcially as we see homosexuality in many social animals, and manipulation of eye color genes will produce gay behavior.

Granted, there could be a number of casual factors other than genetic, such as hormones or environment, while I'm not sure about hormones, we can look at other sexual preferences that imprinted in early development, these are commonly called fetishes. A fetish is a condition where an individual has a sexual response to something not normally associated with sex, examples of common fetishes are clothing (white panties, pantyhose, leather, etc), food, toe cleavage, etc. In most fetishes, this response is very desirable but doesn't preclude normal responses i.e. viewing sex without the fetish is still a turn on, but not as much. This is not the case with gays.

I'd say that discounting genes is premature until it has been fully researched.

Edit:
Making a judgment call based on what "seems" to be more likely is not the best idea, without taking a look at what research has been done and what the conclusions are. It is very likely that early imprinting would have been investigated already just as genetic factors are now.

Answer 2

while I appreciate your search for "truth"... I have to say, as a gay man... it's kind of offensive to me that people feel that there even should be some "excuse" or "reason" to be gay...no one ever asks why people AREN'T gay... I know ... because I live in this body...and have this brain.. that I've always been attracted to men sexually.... from my earliest childhood memories of even being a sexual person.. and I know that I'm just fine... and that my sexuality is just as "normal" for me as yours is for you... I don't know why people can't just leave it at that... the very fact that there's MILLIONS of people exactly like me means that it's meant to be... maybe god wanted to have some people be able to adopt all of the unwanted throw away kids that straight people have no conscience about creating...

Answer 3

i could in basic terms prefer to be attentive to why somebody could choose for, in this homophobic society the place gay is an insult, to be a gay. that's genetic. while did your persons choose for to be quickly? I hate people who think of that's a call, by using fact I actually have a gay chum and that i could prefer to punch all and sundry in the face who thinks he chosen to be a gay and ridicule him for it. @Kovusimba and how precisely could you have genetic gay mothers and fathers? Bisexual, perchance, yet quite?

Answer 4

I don't think it really matters at all. I know what I like and choose to go with it. So maybe, it is both.

Answer 5

If homosexuality were genetic, it would not be named in the Bible as an abomination to God.
God's Word clearly states that a man shall not lie with a man as he lies with a woman. It says that homosexuals, along with thieves, murderers, idolaters will have their place in the lake of fire.
HOWEVER, as Christians, we hate the sin but love the sinner. It is not for us to judge people but since we are all sinners, we are to love each other.

Answer 6

Exactly! it is burned into us before puberty without us knowing it.

Answer 7

idk but i dont really care i mean i am who i am