So I recently decided to try and cut through all the wargharbl regarding homosexuality in an attempt to find some science. I would find something here and there, but nothing that wasn't vague as hell. But I was dicking around on a news site I frequent and found this link in the comments section. What science knows about homosexuality Seems to sum up an absolute ton of scientific studies over a many year period, along with references and source names. Figured I'd just drop this here. Some of you might be interested.
Also, for those interested, you might want to check out "epigenetics." Study Finds Epigenetics, Not Genetics, Underlies Homosexuality
Bookmarked. (Well, what passes for bookmarking for me.) Here's some more links for you guys. * A study finding that there is chromosomal skewing in mothers of gay men, which means that there'd be some genetic factors and some epigenetic ones. * An article about several studies, sadly without naming them, that comments upon the birth order effect and twin studies, concluding we are born gay. * A report by the Guardian on a study finding that women related to gay men were more fertile, which again points to a genetic component which gives an evolutionary advantage. * A study (really the study, not a report on it) about bred lesbian mice, which found that removing a certain gene caused them to behave like male mice, including sexual interest in other females. Overall, we are pretty sure that homosexuality is a natural and inbuilt thing, but we're not sure how much of an influence each factor has.
So technically, is being gay something that is not natural? Is it a biological error? It kinda makes me feel bad that we have no purpose (not that I really want one). I definitely find the explanation of lack of testosterone exposure feasible.
I've got this science encyclopedia thing and it said that during puberty, people usually become heterosexually attracted to other people. And then it said that some people may become homosexually attracted to other people. It said that it might pass eventually after puberty, or not.
I think the medical community deems it a "normal" variation of sexuality; most likely, because it causes no adverse medical effects.
