Do you think there is any genetic proof for our being gay?

Question

Im wondering if maybe being gay is just psychological. Most gay guys (me included) have bad relationships with father figures and other stuff like that.
maybe if there was some credible genetic proof id feel better, but unless i find some, im getting some severe therapy to become straight. Other people have done it, so can I.
If you havent noticed by the tone of this question, I really don't like being gay.

Answer 1

Allow me to give you part of the same answer that I gave to someone else:

What people don't understand is that genetics don't determine every physiological thing. The "nature" side of "nature vs. nurture" isn't limited to raw genetics. Let's start at the beginning...

When a human embryo is formed, it contains (usually) either the XY combination or the XX combination of chromosomes. (If the embryo has another combination, a chromosomal disorder such as Downs or Turners Syndrome results.) Anyway, back to XY and XX. Those chromosomes carry genes that code for certain proteins, which, in turn, trigger the release of certain hormones in the womb. Those hormones, NOT the actual chromosomes, determine gender.

So, if all goes typically, the XY combination will trigger the release of hormones that will cause the embryo to develop as a male, or the XX combination will trigger the balance of hormones that cause the embryo to develop as a female. However, the hormones for both are the SAME ONES... just in different balances. Women have testosterone, men have estrogen - just in different balances.

Now, what happens if the balance of hormones is just a little bit off in the womb? The results can be startling. XY individuals can develop as complete physiological females, and XX individuals can develop as males. Sometimes, you get a combination of traits. Sometimes, there are minor differences... and one of those differences is brain structure and chemistry.

When the brain develops in contrast to the physical body, the person can feel that he or she was born into the wrong body - transsexual. When the brain develops with a combination of male and female traits, the resulting individual may very well be gay. It's natural. It's that person's nature. No more can a straight man decide to be gay if his brain is hard-wired as straight than a gay man can decide to be straight. That person can fight with his nature, trying to pretend to be something else, but the person will likely be miserable.

In short, YES, "gayness" can very well be physiological, but it's not necessarily caused by a "gay gene" (although there might be genes that make it more likely to occur). It's caused by the hormone balance to which the developing embryo is exposed. That alteration from the usual hormone balance during development is not just genetic, so it can happen in anyone.

NOTE: Some people may indeed "decide to be gay". Most of those people are ACTUALLY bisexual in nature, and make a choice to be with a specific person, or to be with people of their own gender based on bad experiences with the opposite gender.

NOTE: Some people might have bad relationships with their parents *because* they're gay, AND they have tried to hide that fact, OR their parents are homophobic and treat them badly. The secretiveness and the shame cause tension, the disapproval and anger cause more problems. (I have had an open dialogue with my mother about my sexual orientation, and we've had a wonderful friendship all my life. My father is a homophobe, and I've got no use for him.)

NOTE: The many hormone-mimicking chemicals to which we are exposed may also play a significant role in the development of gender-related traits in fetuses. We call these persistent organic chemicals "endocrine disruptors", and they most often mimic estrogen. They're in everything - the water we drink, the food we eat, and some people have higher levels than other people. We do not know how much of an impact they have on human physiology, but they may be part of the puzzle.

Either way, if you're gay, it's not because of your relationship with your father. It's physiological. It's brain structure and chemistry. Don't hate yourself for it. Talk to other people who have been in your shoes. And don't listen to the idiots who are saying that it's an illness or that you just need a good lay with a woman. That changes NOTHING. It's not an illness. It's not wrong.

If you're not gay, and you're just going through a strange phase, still, it can't hurt to talk to people and help sort out your feelings.

Answer 2

There is no genetic proof of being gay or straight. Everyone has bad relationships with parents and other stuff like that but only a percent is gay, so that can't be a logical explanation.

If you don't like being gay then its cause you have been taught its wrong, a sickness or a sin. Once you get over that and realize its just the way you are then you will feel better. People don't like being short or tall or other things they just are and they learn to accept it and deal with it. don't let others keep you from being happy just the way you are.

and no one has gone through therapy and become straight, they have only gone through therapy to help them live with denial and live lonely lifes with out love. its not worth it.

good luck

Answer 3

That's too bad you're struggling to find happiness with who you are. If you simply give yourself a chance, you might one day find that you wouldn't change things even if you could...happiness and a whole lot of wonderful is waiting for you when you find acceptance for yourself. There's so much genetic proof out there, but aren't you the best "proof" of this...right in front of you. You know inside who you are and seems to me at least have the belief that this won't change. You're already half way there friend...why not grab hold of the things you CAN change and find out how special, unique & gifted you actually are! D'n'D

Answer 4

I would think there would be more proof for what makes people gay simply because we would be looking for differences that stand out from the majority. In other words if there is something that shows up in scientific study that points to that orientation being there, it would stand out from the characteristics shown in the predominant culture.

Answer 5

I may be wrong but I thought they did prove that a person is born gay???
if not think about it, it makes sense. most gays say they knew they were different at a very early age, it does not matter what kind of up bringing you have if your gay your gay.

do you think a person would choose to be something that most other people are going to banish them, hate them and ridicule them for.

Answer 6

if you are truly gay, THERE *MAY* BE NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT. Some people are born that way and some people are made that way through bad life experiences. I admit that if you have been traumatized into it, it would probably be possible to therapeutically treat it, but I don't know too much about that. if you are gay naturally, you will have to learn to accept it someday and live with yourself for who you are.

Answer 7

There is plenty of proof. Most schools of thought now believe it is a generic trait. That is both scientific and social groups doing research on this. Read up on it, there is plenty of data out on the Internet.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3735668.stm

Answer 8

the VIP SCN nucleus (a part of the brain) in twice as large in gay men than in straight men, and four times as large in gay men than in women.

Answer 9

Gay gene research:

http://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/news/20050128/is-there-gay-gene

Answer 10

No, it's psychological. I think you don't like being gay because of all the negativity that comes with it.