Has it been proven that homosexuality is genetic?

[Coito ergo sum]

Oh, Jeez, sorry for overestimating you...

[JimC]

We should not get bogged down in the genetic/biological dichotomy. It is clear that homosexuality is not a whim, neither is it a straightforward example of social conditioning. The biology of gay people, both in neurological and hormonal terms, has clear, consistent and significant differences to heterosexuals.
It is possible that this is the result of an environmental factor, and this could be in utero, or it could be a combination of an environmental trigger and a genetic tendency. I have cerainly read articles from science journalists reporting on claims that twin studies have suggested that there is a genetic component, but I cannot quote the papers by name. There have also been interesting evolutionary models which suggest that a genetic tendency towards homosexuality could be selected for if it was accompanied by an increased average fitness of siblings of the opposite sex. Speculative, perhaps, but it demonstrates that a genetic component to homosexuality is not incompatible with natural selection.

[Pappa]

There have also been interesting evolutionary models which suggest that a genetic tendency towards homosexuality could be selected for if it was accompanied by an increased average fitness of siblings of the opposite sex. Speculative, perhaps, but it demonstrates that a genetic component to homosexuality is not incompatible with natural selection.

I remember reading about those a while ago. Very interesting idea and perfectly plausible too.

[Berthold]

Last option: It may well be a multi-component thing; innate does not necessarily mean genetic; and, anyway, so what?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

No, and I know I'm not. How do you know you're not?

I know because I don't feel a sexual attraction to males. How do you know you're not?

What are you even on about?

There's only one way to know if you're gay or not. Try it. If you like it, you're gay. If not, you're not. Have you tried it?

[The Curious Squid]

No, and I know I'm not. How do you know you're not?

I know because I don't feel a sexual attraction to males. How do you know you're not?

What are you even on about?

There's only one way to know if you're gay or not. Try it. If you like it, you're gay. If not, you're not. Have you tried it?

I was wondering what you were getting at with that question. I disagree, the physical act doesn't play as big a part as attraction.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I was wondering what you were getting at with that question. I disagree, the physical act doesn't play as big a part as attraction.

So, you wouldn't try it with someone you didn't find attractive at all? And I didn't limit "try it" to just the physical act. Unless some of my post disappeared, that is.

[The Curious Squid]

I think there would have to be some attraction, what's the point otherwise?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I think there would have to be some attraction, what's the point otherwise?

True, and that's where I found out that I'm not interested in guys. No attraction. So I then went to "maybe it's just a physical thing?" Just not for me.

[Coito ergo sum]

No, and I know I'm not. How do you know you're not?

I know because I don't feel a sexual attraction to males. How do you know you're not?

What are you even on about?

There's only one way to know if you're gay or not. Try it. If you like it, you're gay. If not, you're not. Have you tried it?

Nope. But, I don't think that one needs to actually try it to know one wouldn't like it. I don't have a sexual reaction to images of men, nor do I have the same feeling toward men as I do toward women. I've never been in a room and looked at a guy and been "floored," but it's happened to me with women. I've never had that certain indescribable feeling of "attraction" toward a guy. I don't think it has anything to do with trying out sex acts with a guy. Sexuality is not just about sex acts, it's about a fundamental attraction.