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5. Biological evidence regarding gender development.
Despite all the impression given by the media, homosexuality is neither an entirely innate condition nor is it unchangeable. The so-called ‘gay gene’ has never been found. There are studies that show it is possible to change sexual orientation from predominantly homosexual to predominantlyheterosexual orientation.
- A recent review by authors sympathetic to the gay movement shows clearly that homosexual development cannot be only determined by genes. Evidence from biology shows clearly that gays are not simply born that way. Environmental influences play a significant role in the development of gender identity and sexual behavior. (Bailey JM. Biological perspectiveson sexual orientation. In: Garnets LD and Kimmel DC: Psychological perspectives on lesbian, gay, and bisexual experiences. Columbia University Press, New York. 2003)*There is no convincing evidence for a ‘gay gene’. Indeed, if there were a ‘gay gene’ those who carry it would probably be at adisadvantage in the natural selection process of evolution: ‘If there was a ‘gay gene’ this gene would cause a significant problem: homosexuality is associated with low fertility, indeed if a homosexual has only sex with same-sex persons he will have no offspring.’ (Bailey JM. Biological perspectives on sexual orientation. 2003)*One way of finding out whether a condition is genetically determined is to examine the behavior of identical twins (who have the same genetic material) and comparing them with non-identical twins. It is assumed, that twins grow up in the sameenvironment, There have been several studies investigating whether the identical twin brothers of homosexual men are alsohomosexuals. Concordance (both identical twins being homosexual) was found in only 25-50% of identical twin pairs. ‘Genes’ therefore cannot entirely explain homosexual orientation and behaviour. (Pillard RC and Weinrich JD. Evidence of
familial nature of male homosexuality . Archives of General Psychiatry. 1986: 42; 808-12. King M and [McDonald]Create? E. Homosexuals who are twins. A study of 46 probands. British Journal of Psychiatry. 1992; 160: 407-9.)
- Recently, a study was published by Professor Spitzer, a prominent psychiatrist. He is viewed as a historic champion of gayactivism by playing a key role in removing homosexuality from the psychiatric manual of mental disorders in 1973. In his study,he examined whether a predominantly homosexual orientation will, in some individuals, respond to therapy. He examined 200respondents of both genders who reported changes from homosexual to heterosexual orientation lasting 5 years or more. Hewrites: ‘Although initially skeptical, in the course of the study, the author became convinced of the possibility ofchange in some gay men and lesbians.’ Although examples of "complete" change in orientation were not common,the majority of participants did report change from a predominantly or exclusively homosexual orientation before therapy to a predominantly or exclusively heterosexual orientation in the past year as a result of reparative therapy.
These results would seem to contradict the position statements of the major mental health organizations in the United States, which claim there is no scientific basis for believing psychotherapy effective in addressing same-sex attraction. (Spitzer RL. Cansome gay men and lesbians change their sexual orientation? 200 participants reporting a change from homosexual to heterosexual orientation. Arch Sex Behav. 2003; 32: 403-17; discussion 419-72. – further evidence see www.narth.com)
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