Homosexuality.

[RubiedCross]

For a while now, I've been pondering the idea of homosexuality and what it really is, or at least how it came to be. I've heard from some of my more intellectual friends that homosexuality is being studied by scientists. From what I remember, some say that homosexuality, or being attracted to someone of the same sex, is a state of the mind that has been there since birth, and is non-reversible. I, myself, am a person of faith, and believe otherwise. I will not bring that into this discussion, as all thoughts and beliefs on this subject through the eyes of a Christian would be considered opinion (which it is) and I would be shunned from the Critical Thinking forum. Therefore, what I am asking for is for any proof as to whether or not homosexuality is all mental, and can be reversed, or if it is, for the lack of a better term, solid.

I'd appreciate any proof and/or evidence found on this subject, and if it has been discussed before. I myself have heard of people who were previously homosexual "become" straight, but do not have any proof other than the words of my elders. Opinions in this topic I will also find helpful. I would like to know what others think about all of this.

Also, for those of you who are going to go to wikipedia, please don't. As wikipedia can be edited by anyone and may contain false information. I'd prefer proof from other sites.

Thanks.

[Aleste]

Re: Homosexuality.

i also do not believe that this is not something inherently in certain people from birth. it's common for many young boys (and girls, so i hear) to go through a stage of sexual confusion. Admittedly, i wondered at one point.. but thinking back it was only from outside exposure. A girl i once talked said that she at one time or another enjoyed seeing two girls together sexually, but never was herself and as time went by this faded as did my own confusion. i believe that at that certain point in these peoples life they are exposed to it or experiment with someone else and convince themselves that it is natural. Homosexuality is becoming commonly more accepted within our society, so if a youth has thoughts about the same sex they're more likely to experiment.

Unfortunately, i don't have anything beside my own thoughts to contribute to this topic.

[omgitznpv]

Re: Homosexuality.

I don't believe it's hereditary. I believe one is homosexual because of what would influence oneself. One could be a social outcast. One could be attracted to another of the same sex after becoming better and better friends. One could be influenced by their childhood. I honestly don't understand how it would be hereditary.

[RubiedCross]

Re: Homosexuality.

Thanks to both of you. These thoughts are similar to mine, and I had figured that people would react the same way. I do hope, however, to get an answer from someone who is homosexual (No offence to anyone if the previous sentence sounds rude). It seems that now a days, people are becoming more accepting of people of the homosexual status, and actually promote it. At least, this is something that I have seen happening in California from online "News" boards. Experimenting seems to be the most likely answer. As when you do something like that, and people promote doing so, it just starts to become normal or seems to be. However, this is all in my opinion, and I really can't take it as an truthful, proven answer.

((To add to this, I hope to be in no way offensive to anyone who is homosexual. To me, I probably would be offending by what I am saying, but I just would like to have a clear answer on this topic.))

[infinity.]

Re: Homosexuality.

Thanks to both of you. These thoughts are similar to mine, and I had figured that people would react the same way. I do hope, however, to get an answer from someone who is homosexual (No offence to anyone if the previous sentence sounds rude). It seems that now a days, people are becoming more accepting of people of the homosexual status, and actually promote it. At least, this is something that I have seen happening in California from online "News" boards. Experimenting seems to be the most likely answer. As when you do something like that, and people promote doing so, it just starts to become normal or seems to be. However, this is all in my opinion, and I really can't take it as an truthful, proven answer.

((To add to this, I hope to be in no way offensive to anyone who is homosexual. To me, I probably would be offending by what I am saying, but I just would like to have a clear answer on this topic.))

Homosexuality has actually been classified as a chemical inbalance in the brain causing a person to have thoughts such as attraction to the same gender. It could also be a choice is presume, but this seems the most logical.

[jecht3009046]

Re: Homosexuality.

Two words.

Genes and Environment.

Those two aspects control every aspect of ones life. Each has it's impact on every aspect of the human life.

P.S. People rarely change their sexual preference after they reach an "adult" state of mind. I don't mean 18, more like 30-ish.

[RubiedCross]

Re: Homosexuality.

Homosexuality has actually been classified as a chemical inbalance in the brain causing a person to have thoughts such as attraction to the same gender. It could also be a choice is presume, but this seems the most logical.

This sounds very similar to what my friend had told me before. It seems as it would be logical, but I'd still like to see proof or tests or something of that nature in order to proof that. It seems that it could really go either way though, so you really can't tell whether it's a chemical (in)balance or a choice.

Thanks for the input.

[Verruckter]

Re: Homosexuality.

Homosexuality has actually been classified as a chemical inbalance in the brain causing a person to have thoughts such as attraction to the same gender. It could also be a choice is presume, but this seems the most logical.

This description means nothing, really, because every action you make is the cause of a certain chemical being in greater quantity in your brain. If you want to go eat, it's because the number of chemicals making you want to go eat something is greater than the one suggesting you to, say, stay on your couch and watch TV.

Thank you dendrophilian for this great example.

[blindreper1179]

Re: Homosexuality.

i can't remember where i heard it from, but i'll try to discribe as best as possible.

when chromosome A and B go from point a to b(using A as a boy liking a girl), more of chromosome B gets to point b then A, thus making them like the same sex.

if that makes any sense. and i'm not sure if it's chromosomes either, just using that as an example also.

[d4u7211]

Re: Homosexuality.

okay this is my belief and i think its pretty accurate.

homosexuals are born gay. the reason i think this is because of the reason people think its mental. piece it together.

people who think its all mental can say if you think you're gay, you can become straight or vice versa. i dont think you can choose because think about it. if you're "gay" and you "become" straight, its just the matter that you were basically bi-curious and found that you were actually straight. and straights "become gays" because they want to be straight but they cant hold up a relationship with the opposite sex. they later find out they were gay. all it is is that you find out your actual confirmed sexuality. its confusion not decision.

btw i wrote this without reading any posts except for the thread starter.

[devonin]

Re: Homosexuality.

There are a number of potential indicators that homosexuality is genetic. One of the prime examples is the overwhelming amount of anecdotal evidence from homo- bi- and hetero- sexual people that whichever their orientation, they had always felt that way their entire life.

While there are certainly people who can and do make a choice to start practicing a certain type of sexuality, the fact that homosexuality existed in relatively large numbers during a time when all outed homosexuals were treated like crap, beaten, disowned, abused and shunned, I find it incredibly hard to believe that this was a free choice of so many people. The ability to think "I am going to make the free decision to adopt a lifestyle that will get me attacked, shunned, and heaped with abuse" seems indicative of a seperate problem entirely.

But there are other issues that aren't anecdotal. For example: When a woman is pregnant with a son, there is a chemical that is produced by the body of the woman to basically keep the estrogen being produced by the women away from the fetus, so it continues to develop as properly male. However, with each consecutive pregnancy, the woman's ability to manufacture this chemical degrades. Functionally, with each consecutive son a woman has, the more generally effeminate that son will be, having been exposed to larger and larger amounts of estrogen while in development.

While this presumably would not be a problem when a woman is pregnant with a daughter, one could suppose a similar sort of thing possibly contributing to the masculisation of female children, if the body did produce this estrogen inhibitor with a baby girl.

While simply being an effiminate man or masculine woman doesn't indicate homosexuality necessarily, the fact that a fairly large percentage of homosexuals exhibit these qualities suggests that some connection is likely possible.

[jecht3009046]

Re: Homosexuality.

It wouldn't be chromosomes. Chromosomes are just super-coiled DNA (essentially), thus the traveling of one or all chromosomes to any place will have no affect on just about anything. I could go into more detail, but I don't think it's necessary. Chemicals, as stated before are a major part of sexual preference, along with everything else anyone does. As Verruckter said, every action is due to chemicals, for that is basically all we are. Our genes determine the basics of what chemicals do what, when, where, how, etc. Genes (and other "sensors") receive signals from stimuli (environment) and change the output of chemicals in whichever way the body was "programmed" to do so in each certain situation. It all starts with instincts, which all branch off to create all our emotions and actions. They are an infants only way of interacting with the environment, until the instinctive actions create a change in the environment, which is then perceived and programmed into the infant. All actions build on top of each other, each causing certain chemical reactions which cause more actions to create more stimuli, which in turn makes MORE actions, and that is life. With that said, our actions are directly caused by the internal chemicals, which are influenced by past programmed information and current stimuli. With all that said, one's sexual preference is determined by past experiences and the chemical balance produced due to the past experiences. Clearly, current environment has little to do with one's sexuality at that precise moment, but can cause a slight change in one's chemical balance, which in turn may have a slight effect on later feelings and decisions.

I'm sure I skipped over some major/minor details, but that should cover the basics of genes, environment, chemicals, and the concluding actions and feelings.

[blindreper1179]

Re: Homosexuality.

i'm not sure if it's chromosomes either, just using that as an example also.

oh

[Reach]

Re: Homosexuality.

Many brain differences between gay men and straight men have been found, and similarities between female and gay male brains.

For most truly homosexual individuals, it's inherent and not a choice. Imagine for a moment how difficult it would be for you, assuming you've made up your mind about your sexuality, to suddenly just switch by choice and be attracted to the other sex. I'm sorry but this simply doesn't work. If you can't do it yourself then don't apply a double standard here. From an endocrinology perspective overcoming these innate desires by choice alone doesn't happen. In *some* teens that are still developing I think it's possible bisexuality can develop from choice alone, though it mostly seems to due to bizarre cultural influences, as it appears to be trendy or something nowadays.

[XCraigeX]

Re: Homosexuality.

Well let's see. I think that it is all about personal preference in the end, is there really a need for you to discuss things like brain waves and such? Can't you just accept it and leave it as personal preference? You may as well be asking why some people like apples and others prefer oranges. It's all about personal choices and preferences.