Pink Cupcakes Posted May 2, 2010 Posted May 2, 2010 If a guy told you that his parents had been divorced for 3 years because his dad fell in love with a guy and left his mom for a guy, would you be worried that the guy might be gay, too, but doesn't realize it yet? Is homosexuality inherited? (like father like son is what I'm saying?) Just wondering.
Kamille Posted May 2, 2010 Posted May 2, 2010 No, sexual orientation isn't scientifically considered inherited. Else, everyone would be heterosexual. Plus, if he was gay, wouldn't it be easier for him to come out since his father is gay? I'm wondering if you're only looking for reasons to dismiss this guy PC.
TaraMaiden Posted May 2, 2010 Posted May 2, 2010 Forgive me PC, and really, I'm not trying to insult you - but is this for real? Here we are in 2010, and you're asking whether homosexuality is hereditary? Have you not heard or read enough in your time, to know this is actually quite an 'ignorant ' question? It's a bit of an insulting question, too, don't you think? If you don't think it is, tell me why you wouldn't have asked your BF outright? I'm sorry. I'm just a little stunned.
alphamale Posted May 2, 2010 Posted May 2, 2010 Is homosexuality inherited? i don't think "gayness" runs in families. its a random genetic mutation that is combined with environmental issues
TaraMaiden Posted May 2, 2010 Posted May 2, 2010 i don't think "gayness" runs in families. its a random genetic mutation that is combined with environmental issues I really don't thing an homosexual person would be very glad to consider themselves as being a 'random genetic mutation'. And I'm certainly not convinced about environmental issues being a factor, either. The one thing guaranteed to run in families, is childlessness. If your parents never had kids, chances are, neither will you.
Rorschach Posted May 2, 2010 Posted May 2, 2010 I really don't thing an homosexual person would be very glad to consider themselves as being a 'random genetic mutation'. And I'm certainly not convinced about environmental issues being a factor, either. The one thing guaranteed to run in families, is childlessness. If your parents never had kids, chances are, neither will you. I had a gay nerd friend (as in a gay friend who also happened to be heavily logic based in their actions) who wholeheartedly believed that 'gayness' was a brain disorder, either a chemical or hormonal imbalance that could somehow be solved with a pill one day. So no I don't think 'all' gay people would find that idea offensive, some even embrace it. Personally I believe him to be right, in the same sense that EVERYTHING to do with sex is a chemical or hormonal imbalance, every fetish in existance is probably a chemical imbalance they'll have a pill for some day.
Pleco Posted May 2, 2010 Posted May 2, 2010 Homosexuality is caused by a huge combination of factors, many of them being genetic. Just because your boyfriend's dad ended up being gay does not mean that he will also - there are SO many other factors at play. That being said, my good friend's dad left his mom for a guy, and my friend did end up gay. His mom was not too pleased. So, it can happen.
Kamille Posted May 2, 2010 Posted May 2, 2010 I had a gay nerd friend (as in a gay friend who also happened to be heavily logic based in their actions) who wholeheartedly believed that 'gayness' was a brain disorder, either a chemical or hormonal imbalance that could somehow be solved with a pill one day. So no I don't think 'all' gay people would find that idea offensive, some even embrace it. Personally I believe him to be right, in the same sense that EVERYTHING to do with sex is a chemical or hormonal imbalance, every fetish in existance is probably a chemical imbalance they'll have a pill for some day. Then the question is :who gets to decide what is balanced? A law of biological averages? Societal conventions? I have gay friends. They take offense at being described as medical abnormalities. No one ever wonders what's wrong with heterosexuals. We all just assume heterosexuality is the norm, yet, there is no scientific reason behind this assumption.
dreamingoftigers Posted May 2, 2010 Posted May 2, 2010 In the book "Welcome to Your Brain" published last year.there is a section on sexual orientation. They have said that the leading factor in studies the show correlation between homosexual populations is that often the gay male would have an older brother. They have surmised with further study that after the first pregnancy with a male that some mother's immune systems develop an intolerance for the last set of hormones (all or some of them) that enter the fetus' brain during development that set sexual orientation in place, thereby you get a male with the sexual orientation that a woman would usually have. Some males are born with female brains as well, I have heard that many transexuals have the female brain. So when a man says he is a female trapped in a man's body, he may very well have it right. Although I do know a set of twins that are both gay. However, they both also have a ton of different mental issues and a very strange family background that placed them in odd circumstance. The only reason I mention this is because they also shared a bedroom until the age of at least 24 and experimented with each other during their sexually formative years which may have imprinted male sexuality on their psyches. I suspect this is not the norm for most homosexuals. Just what I read and heard. I have no judgments on homosexuality. I honestly do not care if it is "wrong" or "right" or any of that. I just kind of look at it as none of my business because I do not engage in that lifestyle and don't care to look in anyone's bedroom. If God wants to judge them, than that is his right.
TaraMaiden Posted May 2, 2010 Posted May 2, 2010 I know fourteen gay males 10 of whom are all older brothers. Two are lone sons. Only two are younger brothers. one of these has an older gay sister..... I find theories like these - even by so-called experts - to be utterly irresponsible.
dreamingoftigers Posted May 2, 2010 Posted May 2, 2010 I know fourteen gay males 10 of whom are all older brothers. Two are lone sons. Only two are younger brothers. one of these has an older gay sister..... I find theories like these - even by so-called experts - to be utterly irresponsible. You happen to know a relatively small sample size plus there is no telling if all 12 mothers may have previously lost or aborted a fetus, which may be a factor. As with everything that surrounds us and everything that makes us, it will eventually be studied. Somewhere along the line there will be shown to be a biological or imprinted difference between a heterosexual and a homosexual because neither group was formed in a vacuum, we became hetero, bi or homo for some reason and curiousity will eventually win out with testing and studies etc. I suspect there are many factors, many different ones in fact but I was merely sharing what one may be. I don't known why anyone would get upset for anyone else asking if homosexuality may be genetic/recessive. Maybe it is. Maybe it is passed down as a recessive gene from the mother, there is nothing offensive about this. In fact, that would show that it could be argued that it is natural would shouldn't be offensive to anyone.
ADF Posted May 2, 2010 Posted May 2, 2010 No, no, no. There is no good evidence homosexuality is inherited. This guy is no more likely to be gay than any other guy.
Author Pink Cupcakes Posted May 2, 2010 Author Posted May 2, 2010 I've only gone out with him once, he said this on the first date. I was just curious. Thanks for the helpful replies!
TaraMaiden Posted May 3, 2010 Posted May 3, 2010 You happen to know a relatively small sample size plus there is no telling if all 12 mothers may have previously lost or aborted a fetus, which may be a factor. Oh I know them all well enough to know that aborting a foetus is not a factor, at all. I think I know a pretty large sample size. How many people here can claim to know in excess of 25 gay people, as good friends? As with everything that surrounds us and everything that makes us, it will eventually be studied. That does not preclude that accurate answers will be arrived at. Isaac newton studied astronomy and gravity. His findings, by today's standards, are laughable, yet at the time, he was both respected and uncontradicted.
dreamingoftigers Posted May 3, 2010 Posted May 3, 2010 Oh I know them all well enough to know that aborting a foetus is not a factor, at all. I think I know a pretty large sample size. How many people here can claim to know in excess of 25 gay people, as good friends? That does not preclude that accurate answers will be arrived at. Isaac newton studied astronomy and gravity. His findings, by today's standards, are laughable, yet at the time, he was both respected and uncontradicted. I do not think 14 gay men is not enough to dictate a sample population to be studied. As well with any type of study there would be more then one person's friends to form a sample. For instance there might be a certain type of person you become friends with that doesn't represent the whole population in an accurate manner. As I was saying that everything will be studied. At Isaac Newton's time period there weren't exactly "standards" and "reviews" that followed a certain protocol. Even today studies are turned on their heads. That doesn't mean they are all right or all wrong. That also doesn't make them irresponsible, being responsible includes searching for proper answers and responding to the world around you in a reasonable way. If every study known to man said that there was a 50/50 chance that when you walk outside you could get shot, at the very least I would go out with a bullet-proof vest. (Probably avoid going out too, or move, really). Those actions would be responsible actions, simply dismissing them could be quite irresponsible (but not for long). The OP is wondering if homosexuality is genetic. At this point NO ONE KNOWS FOR SURE. There is one theory that has been purported that I have read. It could be wrong, or it could just be one OF MANY contributing factors. Let's just say all ten birth mothers didn't have a miscarriage or abortion AND the sons are oldest boys AND the theory that was listed in the study above is correct and exists THEN something else would be a factor in that young man being a homosexual, be it biological but not genetic, or something to do with the way he was raised, or something to do with the randomness of the universe, or maybe the aliens came down and did their magic and made a whole bunch of people gay just for fun. Whatever, who cares what the reason may be, people are going to try and find out what it is and that really doesn't have to be a bad thing. I think the more important thing is to never stop trying to seek the truth, regardless of how it may look sometimes. I am curious to know why it would be such an offensive thing if it was genetic on the mother's side. Why is that so distressing?
Author Pink Cupcakes Posted May 3, 2010 Author Posted May 3, 2010 Wow, thanks Dreamingoftigers. Truly something to think about. It's really fascinating!
sally4sara Posted May 3, 2010 Posted May 3, 2010 I know twin guys where one is bi (tho mostly into guys) and one is straight. And plenty of straight couples - yet sometimes the kid is gay. So it makes no sense to worry that this guy might be gay simply because his dad is gay. He might be - but not because his father is gay.
kdark Posted May 3, 2010 Posted May 3, 2010 I do not think 14 gay men is not enough to dictate a sample population to be studied. As well with any type of study there would be more then one person's friends to form a sample. For instance there might be a certain type of person you become friends with that doesn't represent the whole population in an accurate manner. As I was saying that everything will be studied. At Isaac Newton's time period there weren't exactly "standards" and "reviews" that followed a certain protocol. Even today studies are turned on their heads. That doesn't mean they are all right or all wrong. That also doesn't make them irresponsible, being responsible includes searching for proper answers and responding to the world around you in a reasonable way. If every study known to man said that there was a 50/50 chance that when you walk outside you could get shot, at the very least I would go out with a bullet-proof vest. (Probably avoid going out too, or move, really). Those actions would be responsible actions, simply dismissing them could be quite irresponsible (but not for long). The OP is wondering if homosexuality is genetic. At this point NO ONE KNOWS FOR SURE. There is one theory that has been purported that I have read. It could be wrong, or it could just be one OF MANY contributing factors. Let's just say all ten birth mothers didn't have a miscarriage or abortion AND the sons are oldest boys AND the theory that was listed in the study above is correct and exists THEN something else would be a factor in that young man being a homosexual, be it biological but not genetic, or something to do with the way he was raised, or something to do with the randomness of the universe, or maybe the aliens came down and did their magic and made a whole bunch of people gay just for fun. Whatever, who cares what the reason may be, people are going to try and find out what it is and that really doesn't have to be a bad thing. I think the more important thing is to never stop trying to seek the truth, regardless of how it may look sometimes. I am curious to know why it would be such an offensive thing if it was genetic on the mother's side. Why is that so distressing? I hope nobody ever finds out why people end up gay. Because then people are going to try and "cure" it.
dreamingoftigers Posted May 3, 2010 Posted May 3, 2010 I hope nobody ever finds out why people end up gay. Because then people are going to try and "cure" it. I would just hope that gay people would make whatever choice they wanted to about their life, if they wanted to be gay they would, if they didn't they wouldn't. And maybe straight people could choose too. I would just hope if it was a genetic component that that would make it more acceptable like having brown eyes, hopefully no one tries to "cure" that.
Rorschach Posted May 3, 2010 Posted May 3, 2010 Personally I have a particular kink that is not accepted in many circles, so I just go about my life and keep it in my head, but if they made a pill to cure it I'd do it in a heartbeat, not everybody likes what genetics/chemicals/hormones have handed to them.
kdark Posted May 3, 2010 Posted May 3, 2010 I would just hope that gay people would make whatever choice they wanted to about their life, if they wanted to be gay they would, if they didn't they wouldn't. And maybe straight people could choose too. I would just hope if it was a genetic component that that would make it more acceptable like having brown eyes, hopefully no one tries to "cure" that. If it was found to be genetic, it would be seen as an undesireable mutation to those who are against gay people. Then their will be gene therapy, and treatments to try and cure it. It will be treated like a disease. That would set back the gay rights movement so far. And saying being gay is like having brown eyes is a pretty large leap of logic. Gays have been persecuted for over a millenia, and even in this day in age, still don't have all the rights that heterosexuals enjoy. No one has ever not been given a job, been arrested, or been killed because they had brown eyes. With the amount of hate out there for gays, if it is found to be genetic tomorrow, then gay hate groups will immediately go to work trying to "cure" it. Some already claim to have a treatment plan for "gayness". And it usually leads to a life of unhappiness and loneliness for those who go through it. I'm usually all for scientific advancement, but to me trying to find out why people are gay is like trying to find proof of god's existence. People will see all kinds of things that will make them believe that that is the proof/reason, and will swear they know the truth. But the only truth is knowing that there is no definitive truth, and to just accept the outcome at face value. We live in a world with gay people, and that is not changing anytime soon. Just accept them as full fledged humans like everyone else, and move on. We have more important things to worry about like cancer and hunger.
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