Question Of The Day: Are People Born Gay?

Homosexuality is a taboo subject in many cultures, while others embrace it and those individuals a part of it. Whether you’re pro or anti-gay, the fact of the matter is that around “9 million (about 3.8%) of Americans identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender“, so they’re not going anywhere. However, that doesn’t mean we have to stop debating on the topic.

Here are a few facts about the LGBT community, according to the Advocate:

  • Homosexual Americans are “racially, ethnically, and geographically diverse”.
  • 70,000 of homosexual couples have gotten married and 90,000 are in civil unions or domestic partnerships.
  • “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy has cost American taxpayers over $500 million since it’s start in 1994.
  • “If all 50 states and the federal government recognized marriage for same-sex couples, the federal budget would benefit by over $1 billion each year”.

Judging by the statistical information, you may have discovered that America harbors more same-sex individuals than you initially thought and you are either rigidly against this type of life-style or openly accept it. So I ask you this question, are people born gay? Did nine million American babies come into the world programmed to be attracted to the same sex?

Read these two excerpts from both a “pro” and “anti” so to speak perspective.

According to The Huffington Post:

In 1993, a study published in the journal Science showed that families with two homosexual brothers were very likely to have certain genetic markers on a region of the X chromosome known as Xq28. This led to media headlines about the possibility of the existence of a “gay gene”.

According to CARM:

HomoSEXuality is a behavior, an action.  It is not the same thing as a genetic condition such as skin color, height, or gender.  Homosexual intercourse (is there homosexuality without it?) is a behavior and is, therefore, something people choose to do.  Actions are what people choose to do – whether or not they have a tendency.  On the other hand, being born in black or white skin is not a choice and is not a behavior.

The purpose of this post is to trouble the waters a bit among my readers. So let me hear from you, whatever your opinion may be and please provide some explanation for either side of the fence you’re on.

Again, in your opinion, are people born GAY?

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  • MyTruth

    Personally I don’t see it as a ‘condition’ so I’ll go with NO I don’t think people are born gay. I believe people search for comfort and some people can expand there horizons further than others. You fall in love with personality, appearance, demeanor etc. From there you develop a more physical attraction. I don’t think it’s set in you at birth nor do I think it’s learned. We like what we like, plain and simple.

    • admin

      Very Good Observation. I almost agree. However, the issue is the conflicted struggle in some persons who don’t want to be what they are sexually. What is your take on this struggle? (sexuality struggle that it)

  • C. Alexander

    I don’t think people are born gay. I believe their environment shapes them into the person they become. I agree with the comment above from MyTruth,…..You fall in love with personality, appearance, demeanor etc.

    • admin

      What do you mean by “environment?” This is a very interesting point!

  • Sizzle

    Honestly I can recall the first initial attraction I had for the same sex I was at the age of 4 and still in pre-school. Throughout primary school and secondary school I obviously went through a lot of gender role confusion. Because society told me I was straight and I should like women but my mind and my body responded to the attraction of a man. So I whole heartedly believe that homosexuality is something you are born with. There were no outside factors that contributed to me liking men over women so i cant contribute it to my environment…My feelings have been there since day one…but over time I did grow to have a sexual attraction to females as well…So now I have concluded that I like a person regardless of their gender…I guess you would call it Bisexual…I just call it being myself!

    • admin

      Is Bisexuality dangerous? Dr.O

  • D.O.A

    I think people are born gay. Simply because their hormonal balance is off. Either sex hormones lean too far over into the opposite sexs range. Others who have same sex are most likely lusting or trying something out. This is common in females I believe but male can NEVER reclaim his manhood once he step over. As a man I can’t imagine EVER loving and sexing a man like I do a woman. Only the born gays have that ability. And if there’s a man who can imagine that then he has hidden homosexual tendacies. I think back when I was I child. There was this one dude that loved to do the girl stuff just everything girl. Years later he came out the closet. But it was no surprise to us cuz we knew. But what I’m getting at is that as a child ur mind and body gravitates to people and things naturally. It not forced it’s not by choice.It’s what their genetically programmed to do. But as you get older u learn to control or hide who you are and who you want because it’s taboo mostly amongst the African American community.

    • admin

      Have you had the opportunity to read the Kinsey Scale?

  • C. Alexander

    What is the Kinsey Scale?

    • admin

      Google it and let me know what you think?

  • armageddon16

    No that is a choice that people make so there for it shouldn’t be a problem with what anyone’s sex pref. is……..

    • admin

      Is it always realy a choice? What about persons who were raped recurrently, as a child, and now has sexuality-conflict issues?

  • MyTruth

    It couldn’t be a choice. Who would choose to be something that is constantly criticized and looked down upon by society MAINLY black society. You can’t rid your desires you can only surpress/hide them. What good does that do? When your time is up your suppose to be proud of the fact you lived your life for everyone else? No, that’s not cool.

  • admin

    This is the truth, Mr.Truth. How do you counsel friends in such a dilemma as this, sexuality.

  • MyTruth

    @admin I have always been open minded so I tell them to grasp the understanding that people complain about things they don’t agree with. If it wasn’t your sexuality it would be something else. Why are you dating outside your race, why are you dating someone who use to prostitute, why are you dating a married woman, why are you dating long distance. You can go out of your way to please society and family but the sad truth is…They’ll never be fully pleased. So do what makes you happy. You get one life and one chance to live it. When the blood stops flowing and the breath escapes your body there’s no second chance to do it all over again. That would be my advice for someone struggling with sexuality.

    • admin

      Your insight is great! Are you working in Psychiatry? Please call the office, I would like for you maybe to do some guess blogging for us. 404-575-5785 ask for Mr.Belk.

      • admin

        Please clarify that last statement for us?

  • Anthony

    This is a great topic. I think that certain things happen. You know what and how u feel. People get into the thing about its a choice. While I thibk its a choice to carry out any sexual relationships. But I don’t think u have a choice as to who u are attracted to.

  • D.O.A

    I like what you saying Truth but it something you said is kind of out of order to me. When you said personality, appearance and demeanor before physical attraction. Most of us men are physically attracted FIRST. This is why women dress certain ways and do their hair and face up so we can be attracted to the physical. Only later they get to know their p,a and d that’s if they wanna get to know them like that. There is alot of not so fine and pretty who have excellent personalities demeanors etc but their physical is the road block. Dudes will fight and kill over that big butt and a smile and not even know the girl name. Women however are more emotionally and mentally attracted first. I gather this from what I see and have seen But just take a look around. Ever wonder how some big ugly pimps have beautiful ladies selling them selves for him? Ever wonder how these prisoners get these women who they met on an online site for writing inmates.get them to leave husbands and families, take risk sneeking contraband in? TheY been got attracted to the emo and mento.

    • admin

      @D.O.A. are we still as shallow as we where 20 years ago?

  • James Sampson

    I do not beleive a person is born gay because it is not a stigmatic being. It is an indvidual decision to their interest that satisfies themselves. According to my health teacher she said, Psychology expertise said that an individual sexuality is not much so solid until they have reach the age of 25 or older. There are a lot of people who are not really sure about their sexuality and do not know what they really want to comfort them.

    • admin

      First young Man, i before e except after c. (believe) LOL Your information I think is incorrect. Gender Identitity is accomplished around age 6. Personality are usually confirmed around age 15. The only thing that really starts around age 25 is mental illness.

  • Sizzle

    @admin Bi-Sexuality isnt dangerous….being a hoe is! I feel like a lot of people have a misunderstanding of what it means to be Bi-sexual (it doesnt mean your down low). It just means that you are equally attracted to both men and women! What and how you choose to share your past with your partners is your business! Most guys in a heterosexual relationship dont give a run down of all the women they have been with so why would a bisexual man feel the need to give a run down of all the niggas he has been with! Its called privacy now if you have reached a point in any relationship it is important that you share certain information with your lover but not necessarily off tops!

    • admin

      @Sizzle from Dr.O anything that has two heads is a monster. Therefore sexual ambivalence can be exhausting and confusing! What do you think?

  • Kris

    Wow…

    • admin

      WOW and what? Please express your self….

  • DC

    Think about this simple question as if you were talking to your Creator. God my Father, In your process of creating me did you forget my body form while creating me did you give me a body of a man then put the desires for another mans body contrary to your will and plan for my life. And the opposite if you are a lesiban.

    • AskDrO

      @DC Now that you have given some scriptuarl insight, what is your personal position on the question?

About Dwight A. Owens, M.D.

As a practicing physician, Dr. Dwight A. Owens, has a respected voice in psychiatry that truly makes an impression. He keeps readers enthralled by refusing to shy away from controversial topics and pulling no punches. He also adds spice to the blog by commenting on the state of relationships at every stage, from the first encounter to the daily struggles in even the most satisfying marriages.

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