Is Homosexuality Genetic?

If so, would you have to have a relevant in your background who was gay?

• Oh, dear!

• I don't think relevants are relevant.

• Yes, one of your parentheticals would have to be gay too.

• Made my day!

• OP is a relative of Norm Crosby.

• You'd better hope it's not. If so, it could be considered a birth defect - and if detectable in utero, would be a cause for abortion for many couples.

• Those who would abort such a baby are the same who are against abortion ! Hmmmmm....

• I think I read about "relevants" in some sci-fi story, many years ago.

• Well, it isn't so this thread is DOA.

• Homosexuality is a relatively common genetic mutation. This is my belief.

• Well, I have a few revenants in my family history...

  Boo%21

• [quote]You'd better hope it's not. If so, it could be considered a birth defect - and if detectable in utero, would be a cause for abortion for many couples. I have heard of many church leaders and a few Rabbi's who support abortion in this instance. Personally, if they could detect religious nut jobs in utero, then *that* should be considered a birth defect.

• Not as you imagine, r6 and r7. Evangelicals upon being told that they are about to give birth to a gay child would believe they could pray the gay away... or alternately beat it out of the kid. It would be a miserable life for the kid, being watched for signs of gayness the second he comes out of the womb etc, but abortion no. Those who would abort imho would actually be wealthy "progressive" straight couples after tearfully examining their "consciences" would abort out of what's "best for the child." "I just want little Tyler or Heather to have the best possible life. Let's try again, honey."

• I don't think it's genetic, but there's definitely a biological component involved for the overwhelming majority of gay people. I believe that it's related to hormone levels in the pregnant mother causing feminized brains in men and masculinized (is that even a word LOL) brains in women. I think a small minority of gay people can attribute their same-sex feelings to psychological issues stemming from sexual abuse and very strong internal feelings of inadequacy. These are not absolutes, but as general statements I think they're valid. I'm a gay man and have been around long enough in the gay world not to believe otherwise. In the end, it really doesn't matter why someone is attracted to a member of the same sex, but it's an interesting discussion in which to engage.

• I thought the replicants could be made with any sexuality.

• Okay, my auto-complete fucked up. I meant "relative." Enough jokes.

  OP

• I think so. Father was bi, probably gay. I am gay. Brother is most likely bi, and niece is a lesbian.

• I wonder if heterosexuality is genetic.

• it is unknown OP. There is no indication of it being known in the near future. And it doesn't matter.

• r14, why are you on DL?

• This was an interesting take, inheritance theory. The mothers on the family trees of homosexuals tend to be very fertile, giving birth to more children than mothers of heterosexuals. They believe that having gay children actually makes the woman more fertile. Ill add my two cents and say that it's Mother Nature curbing the larger family trees. The gay children usually get the better reproductive traits. But they are genetically programmed by the mothers to not spread them to any females in their generation.

  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3735668.stm

• Well, I'm the only boy born after three sisters. I subscribe to the in utero hormone theory. I'm also a lefty with a counter-clockwise hair swirl so........born that way!

  I%20have%20cookie%20face%2C%20too%21%20

• I don't think I'd characterize is as a "mutation". It's a trait.

• [quote]OP is a relative of Norm Crosby. That's not relevant!

• Nothing has be proven for homosexuality yet. Nothing is a fact.

• Nothing is a fact. Nothing is a myth.

  Mittens

• My dad had an elderly aunt who never married. She died when I was a kid and I remember finding her old passport which was filled with stamps from dozens of countries. I remember thinking she must have lived a really interesting life. A few years later my dad recalled how she lived with a "female friend" for most of her life. I don't really think of this in terms of genetic predisposition, but it did make me realize early on that I could lead a pretty damn interesting life without having to marry and pop out kids.

• Didja ever notice that when they do research on the origins of homosexuality, they only study MALE homosexuals...?? Just sayin'.

• R12, No Rabbis would ever support abortion for perceived homosexuality. Even the most religious Orthodox or Hassidic would unrealistically advocate lifelong celibacy and prayer. Hopefully the child would have the strength to leave the community and find acceptance elsewhere. By the way there are out gay and lesbian Rabbis, though usually among the more liberal Reformed branches.

• "By the way there are out gay and lesbian Rabbis, though usually among the more liberal Reformed branches." Meaning sometimes you'll run into out homosexual rabbis among the frum?

• I'm not a homophobic! And neither are any of my relevants!

  Larry%20Craig

• I used to think so, because I was heavily into evolutionary psychology. Now I don't. I consider it a normal part of human sexuality.

• It's generic among Republican fundies.