What causes homosexuality?

[Edward Norton]

well, is it biological or environmental.

[Latifa]

'Causes homosexuality'.

You talk like it's a fucking virus. I'd say biological. It's like having red hair or being able to roll your tongue, I guess.

[Edward Norton]

You talk like it's a fucking virus.

No, Im not suggesting that it is a virus or anything else offensive.

By cause I simply mean why some people are gay and others not and what makes someone gay.

Its not a 'lifestlye' choice as some right-wingers would have it because I know that it is something that you cannot change, no matter how much you like being gay or not.

[CommieBastard]

What makes people straight?

As it stands there really isn't a way to know.
I have heard it suggested that humans are 'naturally' bisexual, (bonobos are arent they?) and that environmental factors lead to sexuality, just as they lead to any other gender trait.

[Edward Norton]

environmental factors lead to sexuality

Any specific factors that lead to homosexuality?

I heard from someone that boys brought up by their mothers, father is either dead or divorced, is one of those factors.

Does anyone know if genetics plays a role here as well?

[cormacobear]

it's caused by boredom.
I think it's envionmental, although i'm sure hormone levels play some role

[Xvall]

How about "free choice".

[encephalon]

How about "free choice".

Only if you consider fruitflies to have free choice as well. There are many documented experiments done with homosexuality and fruitflies: even a modest change in temperature will reverse their sexual orientation.

In mammals, homosexuality is widespread. Not just in humans.

I would say it's largely a matter of internal chemistry; which, in fact, is dictated by the interplay of genetic predisposition and environment.

So is it genetic? Yes.

Is it Environmental? Yes.

Is it a choice? Possibly for some and not for the rest, although I doubt it. It surely isn't a choice for the fruitflies.

[CommieBastard]

There are all kinds of statistics that one can rattle off as to under what circumstances homosexuality is most likely. However, one has to remember that it could be a combination of these circumstances AND the overall context of society that makes them consequential.

For example, the more older brothers a male has the more likely they are to be homosexual.

[Roses in the Hospital]

Not that I claim to know anything on the subject, but, I've always seen homosexuality in the same way as any other sexual prefrence: just as some men might like older women, fat women, or black women some men might like men (I'm using the example of men for the sake of convienience, the same would be true if you reverse the genders.) I don't think it requires a specific scientific explanatin, it's just a matter of personal taste...

[Iepilei]

Homosexuality has been linked to genetics; but the information backing this claim has been disputed many times. I would generally agree that a person is born homosexual, seeing as how many gay people I know say they just "feel" gay. Stating it's something they've known their entire life.

:ph34r:

[ComradeChris]

I agree that some cases of homosexuality, attraction, lack of attraction (asexuality) etc. are genetic.


Any specific factors that lead to homosexuality?

There's not much research done on female homosexuality (because it's considered a large faux pas for pretty much all of history; whereas some cultures adorn it for men). But groups consisting of all one sex, and are isolated for long periods of time, have been shown to indulge in greater ratios of homosexuality. This type of study was done in the military, sports teams, boarding schools, etc.

We're just sexual beings (minus asexual beings, obviously; but they only make up about 1% of the Canadian population and can only assume it's about similar throughout the world) and of course are open to experimentation to get more sexual pleasure. Under another thread someone mentioned that animals are naturally homosexual too. I find these theories very intriguing.

[American_Trotskyist]

I not sure about this subject. There is, sometimes, a tragedy that happens in the family or a dominance of the opposite sex. I doubt it is genetics, because the amount impact on your that genes make on your life used to be at 50 now it is a 30 and will likely shrink more. Condition Determine Consciousness, as a materialist I usually look from this point of view. There is nothing wrong with homosexuality, it doesn't affect a child being parented by a homosexual (usually the children turn out to be heterosexual), but humans were meant to reproduce, and we do that with the opposite sex. Perhaps it is a subconscious choice that they make, but I don't know.

[{GR}Raine]

I beleive its a fator of them all. Im bisexual,and I have a gay uncle. Now, do I think that directly affected me? no. My environent? not really. Ive grown up with two parents, I cant explain why I am what I am, i just do.

[DickersonSnuffbox]

I actually had a short but interesting conversation with a friend recently about this very thing.

With an insight into the future I thought a fun and very real conflict might arise when scientists/doctors identify the biological reason people are homosexual (given that there is one, which is most likely brain chemistry).

With that discovery we will be faced with several interesting debates, first between the gay movement and science, claiming that they shouldn't fuck with people's free choice and something that occurs naturally. Then there will be one between parents and gay people, parents claiming that they "wouldn't want to wish a gay life upon their child" and believe it is their right whether to have doctors 'correct' this biological counter-part to homosexuality. Which would then be followed up by a scientist/philosopher debate with other scientists/capitalists (obviously with politicians on either side).

The final debate being the most interesting and the most critical one.

With technology advancing ever fast, it's likely we'll discover a "cure for homosexuality" within 10 years. Why not cure all other congenital defects while we're at it?

The clincher is: Who will be the ones to decide/define what aspect of human biology is a defect? (most likely america, because we know what's best for the world)

That very question will lead to a whole new area of human science.

And who decides whether we should artificially eradicate something from our genes is pretty important. For genes are not 'alive' they do not possess rights, in fact an individual or company can patent individual genes. Which shows that society's value for these mini pieces of biology exetremely shortchanges their importance.

My projection is that through the short sighted greed for money, scientist will opt for providing 'defect cures' to the public at large....

I had more to type but this post is already becoming too large. And it has sparked some ideas for my book...which I wouldn't want to give away uncopy righted. =]

I think we've touched upon something that had some pretty cool implications for the future.

[enigma2517]

I'm not quite so sure if homosexuality is a "choice".

Ask any gay person when exactly they "decided" to start being gay.

I think an important answer may lie in examining when a certain individual attained some sort of actualization of their homosexuality. Most people I know have stated that they were gay for as long as they could remember...like 6 years old or something like that. While everybody liked Jane, they liked Jimmy. Who knows?

[guerillablack]

I know many people who chose to be gay. Especially females, just because they had men problems in the past and were tired of men. Look at all the men who become homosexual in prison. The answer is much deeper than biological, its psychological.

[Pedro Alonso Lopez]

Good looking men I presume.

[guerillablack]

Or men that look like women?

[DarkAngel]

hey whatever flouts your boat ;)

[guerillablack]

Never understood, why some homosexuals claim they are not attracted to men/women, but find themselves alwyas hooking up wit men that look like women or vice versa

[resisting arrest with violence]

I believe homosexuality is caused by narcissism ... by looking and admiring your cock with too much vanity.

I had a college professor who told the class that she believed it was caused by nature trying to control the world's overpopulation.

[LSD]

Never understood, why some homosexuals claim they are not attracted to men/women, but find themselves alwyas hooking up wit men that look like women or vice versa

I suppose it has a great deal to do with socialization.

If men are taught to believe that they should be attracted to women, then even if they are gay, some might find themselves seeking to satisfy that social expectation.

Certainly, that explains the high number of homosexuals who attempt to lead "straight" lives, and are too ashamed and scared to "come out".

...but, guerillablack, maybe I'm confusing you with someone else, but weren't you the one who said that the Quron was the literal word of God and Homsoexuality was a sin?

(I apologize if I'm remembering wrong)


elieve homosexuality is caused by narcissism ... by looking and admiring your cock with too much vanity.

:blink: :o :blink:

I'm going to take that as ...offensive ....I think.... unless it's just a poor attempt at humour.... which I'm desperately hoping it is!

[The Garbage Disposal Unit]

1. I cause homosexuality.

2. Does it really matter what the underlying causes are? Is the social/environmental dichotomy even as clear as we like to think? Even if they were, would it effect the way we respond to homosexuality? Is the male/female dichotomy even realisticly grounded?

[Postteen]

Originally posted by Virgin Molotov [email protected] 25 2005, 04:34 AM
1. I cause homosexuality.


:lol: nah I don't think so.. you cause heterosexuality for sure however!*now he becomes even more a narcissist*

I think that the types of women that are promoted nowadays are so awful that men have no other choice but to turn gay.I've read that sometimes homosexuality is in the genes.So apart from the social and environmental reasons, there are some biological ones as well.Some people just have a tendancy to become homosexual.

A friend of mine has a cat, and she's a lesbian(the cat).Now how can you explain that?She certainly wasn't influenced by her environment!

[The Apathetic Atheist]

At a fairly young age (elementary school) I noticed that I was simply heterosexual. I think it is entirely mental (like someone has said) because it operates in the same manner as: "I like long legs" "I like a round ass" "I like big women" type majig...

[rice349]

it's genetic, studies done by the National Institute of Mental Health have concluded that as well as the majority of the health community, that somewhere there is a gene they just have not been able to precisely locate it.

[seraphim]

to qoute Ewan Mcgreggor 'people are born hetrosexual be default not by choice. It's all a question of who you fancy'

[Elect Marx]

Originally posted by [email protected] 27 2005, 04:31 PM
The clincher is: Who will be the ones to decide/define what aspect of human biology is a defect? (most likely america, because we know what's best for the world)
Yes, very interesting/scary. I have heard that leftists are more likely to have a greater capacity for empathy, genetically control that and you might significantly decrease the leftist population... this might work for any number of other groupings of people...:blink:

If you have seen the movie Gatica, you might have a good idea where this is going.

[The Feral Underclass]

Originally posted by Virgin Molotov [email protected] 25 2005, 03:34 AM
1. I cause homosexuality.
True.

Homosexuality in my opinion is a biological phenomenan. A reaction of chemicals, hormones etc.

[seraphim]

Originally posted by The Anarchist Tension+Apr 1 2005, 12:53 PM--> (The Anarchist Tension @ Apr 1 2005, 12:53 PM)
Virgin Molotov [email protected] 25 2005, 03:34 AM
1. I cause homosexuality.
True.

Homosexuality in my opinion is a biological phenomenan. A reaction of chemicals, hormones etc. [/b]
Perhaps but why should we look for it to be anything other than a choice, if you chose to be attracted to the same sex noone should frown upon it. It's your choice and freedom of choice should be defended.

[The Feral Underclass]

Originally posted by seraphim+Apr 1 2005, 02:37 PM--> (seraphim @ Apr 1 2005, 02:37 PM)
The Anarchist [email protected] 1 2005, 12:53 PM

Homosexuality in my opinion is a biological phenomenan. A reaction of chemicals, hormones etc.
Perhaps but why should we look for it to be anything other than a choice [/b]
Because it isn't true. I didn't "choose" to be a homosexual. I had emotional/sexual feelings towards men as soon as I hit adolescence at the age of 11. As soon as I started to think those things I new I was attracted to men.


why should we look for it to be anything other than a choice, if you chose to be attracted to the same sex noone should frown upon it.

Why should people frown upon it anyway?

The human body is a mesh of chemicals, hormones, cells and differing complex functions. Each human being is formed differently to the other. It's simply a difference in hormone or chemical balance. It's neither right nor wrong, it's simply a fact. Just like some have green eyes and some have blue. Some people have brain hair some have blonde. Some have higher pitched voices and some have lower. Some are gay, some are straight.


It's your choice and freedom of choice should be defended.

No, it was biological inevitablity. My body was made that way. I did not chose to be a homosexual like you did not chose to be a heterosexual. I am, simply, what I am.

[seraphim]

ok I see your point. Do you think it's possible for a person tohave a a genetic or biological 'marker' that says they could be either hetro or homosexual and then make a choice? I don't mean bi cause that's a different matter all together but that they could chose to be hetro/homosexual?

[The Feral Underclass]

Originally posted by [email protected] 1 2005, 03:08 PM
ok I see your point. Do you think it's possible for a person tohave a a genetic or biological 'marker' that says they could be either hetro or homosexual and then make a choice? I don't mean bi cause that's a different matter all together but that they could chose to be hetro/homosexual?
I don't know is the short answer.

[SpeCtrE]

Homosexuals...

I'd say it is a matter of choice..

[LSD]

Homosexuals...

I'd say it is a matter of choice..

Except the available evidence would contradict that.

Sexual orientation isn't black and white, its very complex and very nuanced and undoubtable pychology and experience play a role, but it is hardly credible any longer to deny that a significant determiner of sexual orientation is biology.

Whether the cause is a single genetic marker, or a combination of codons, or a combination of genetic synchrony with enzymatic processes... I don't know, it's still being studied. But to claim that homosexuality is "a matter of choice" is laughably wrong.

[Brennus]

I have heard that leftists are more likely to have a greater capacity for empathy, genetically control that and you might significantly decrease the leftist population...

Hahaha, eliminating "leftist" genes. :lol:

I do not know what causes homosexuality, but I would be inclined to think that chemicals in the body create sexual urges. I doubt society promotes sexuality. I have always been uncomfortable when other people discuss their sexuality with me, so my heterosexuality is what comes innately from my own urges. It might be different for other people, but I have not been influenced by other people in my sexual preference.

[Dr. Rosenpenis]

What causes homosexuality?

I dunno.
What causes heterosexuality?

[More Fire for the People]

The cause of homosexuality is unkown because liberals are too whiney to let any psychological and sociological studies to go on and the right-wing is too rapped up in self-assurance to even let any science be done on the matter.

[Maksym]

Originally posted by The Anarchist Tension+Apr 1 2005, 12:53 PM--> (The Anarchist Tension @ Apr 1 2005, 12:53 PM)
Virgin Molotov [email protected] 25 2005, 03:34 AM
1. I cause homosexuality.
True.

Homosexuality in my opinion is a biological phenomenan. A reaction of chemicals, hormones etc. [/b]
What causes pedophilia?

[LSD]

What causes pedophilia?

Pedophilia (DSM IV-r code 302.2) is a psychological paraphilia. Its specific psychodynamic cause is unknown, but the disorder appears to emerge too late in development for there to be a biological element.

Certainly a history of abuse as a child, sexual or otherwise, has been shown to contribute. But, as with most paraphilias, it is severely understudied.

[Zingu]

Cultural.


Take example in the Greek Cities; people were openly gay. A person's sexual preference is heavily infulenced by surrounding society....anywhere from sailors (who, for hundreds of years have been more homosexually inclined than others) to today's society.

Growing up with a lack of women around would probably make you more likely attracted to other men (again explaining sailors) and vise versa.

Of course biological aspects have some part in this process as too.