1. What is sexual orientation?

Sexual orientation is one of the four components of sexuality and is distinguished by an enduring emotional, romantic, sexual or affectionate attraction to individuals of a particular gender. The three other components of sexuality are biological sex, gender identity and social sex role Three sexual orientations are commonly recognized:homosexual, heterosexual, and bisexual.

Homosexual: A person who is sexually attracted solely to others of the same gender. See: Gay (a male homosexual) & Lesbian (a female homosexual)

Heterosexual: A person who is attracted solely to members of the opposite gender

Bisexual: A person who is attracted to persons of both genders

2.What causes a person to have a particular sexual orientation?

Various theories have proposed differing sources for sexual orientation, including genetic or inborn hormonal factors and life experiences during early childhood ¹. However, many scientists share the view that sexual orientation is shaped for most people at an early age through complex interactions of biological, psychological and social factors.

3. Is sexual orientation a choice? Can therapy change sexual orientation?

No. Sexual orientation emerges for most people in early adolescence without any prior sexual experience. And some people report trying very hard over many years to change their sexual orientation from homosexual to heterosexual with no success. For these reasons, psychologists do not consider sexual orientation for most people to be a conscious choice that can be voluntarily changed.

In 1990, the American Psychological Association stated that scientific evidence does not show that conversion therapy works and that it can do more harm than good. Changing one's sexual orientation is not simply a matter of changing one's sexual behavior. It would require altering one's emotional, romantic and sexual feelings and restructuring one's self-concept and social identity.

In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatric Disorders. The American Psychological Association declared that it was not a disorder in 1975.

Recent statements by professional organizations include:

* The American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses in 1973.

* The American Law Institute continually updates group of laws that they suggest be implemented at the state level. They recommend to legislators "that private sexual behavior between consenting adults should be removed from the list of crimes and thereby legalized."

* The American Bar Association in 1974 expressed its approval of these legal changes and its decriminalization of consensual adult homosexual acts.

* The World Health Organization removed homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses in 1981.

The research on homosexuality is very clear. Homosexuality is neither mental illness nor moral depravity. It is simply the way a minority of our population expresses human love and sexuality. Study after study documents the mental health of gay men and lesbians. Studies of judgment, stability, reliability, and social and vocational adaptiveness all show that gay men and lesbians function every bit as well as heterosexuals.

Nor is homosexuality a matter of individual choice. Research suggests that the homosexual orientation is in place very early in the life cycle, possibly even before birth. It is found in about ten percent of the population, a figure which is surprisingly constant across cultures, irrespective of the different moral values and standards of a particular culture. Contrary to what some imply, the incidence of homosexuality in a population does not appear to change with new moral codes or social mores. Research findings suggest that efforts to repair homosexuals are nothing more than social prejudice garbed in psychological accouterments.

* The Academy of Pediatrics and the Council on Child and Adolescent Health have also stated that homosexuality is not a choice and cannot be changed.

4. Can lesbians and gay men be good parents?

Yes. Studies comparing groups of children raised by homosexual and by heterosexual parents find no developmental differences between the two groups of children in their intelligence, psychological adjustment, social adjustment, popularity with friends, development of social sex role identity or development of sexual orientation.

Another stereotype about homosexuality is the mistaken belief that gay men have more of a tendency than heterosexual men to sexually molest children. There is no evidence indicating that homosexuals are more likely than heterosexuals to molest children.

When Anita Bryant campaigned successfully in 1977 to repeal a Dade County (FL) ordinance prohibiting anti-gay discrimination, she named her organization "Save Our Children," and warned that "a particularly deviant-minded [gay] teacher could sexually molest children" (Bryant, 1977, p. 114). The number of Americans who believe the accusation that gay men and women are child molesters appears to be decreasing. For example, Gallup poll data in 1992 indicated that 41% of Americans would allow gay people to be elementary school teachers, compared to 27% in 1977 (Colasanto, 1989).

One problem in discussing molestation concerns terminology. Sexual abuse of male children by adult men is often referred to as "homosexual molestation," which implies that the perpetrator is himself gay or has a homosexual orientation. Usually, however, the adjectives "homosexual" and "heterosexual" really refer to the victim's gender in relation to that of the perpetrator, not to the perpetrator's sexual orientation. The distinction between gender of victim and sexual orientation of perpetrator is important because many child molesters have never developed the capacity for mature sexual relationships with other adults, either men or women. Recognizing this fact, Finkelhor and Araji (1986) proposed that discussions of the sexual attractions of perpetrators should be conceptualized along a continuum ranging in degrees from exclusive interest in children to exclusive interest in adult partners. Similarly, Groth and Birnbaum (1978) categorized child molesters as either fixated or regressed (see also Groth, Hobson, & Gary, 1982). Fixated offenders never developed an adult sexual orientation of any sort, whereas regressed molesters have done so. Thus, regressed molesters can be adult homosexuals, heterosexuals, or bisexuals. But it is meaningless to speak of fixated molesters in these terms since they are attracted to children, not to men or women. Using this distinction, Groth and Birnbaum (1978) found that none of the 175 adult males in their sample; all of whom were convicted in Massachusetts of sexual assault against a child had an exclusively homosexual adult sexual orientation. 83 of the men (47%) were classified as "fixated;" 70 others (40%) were classified as regressed adult heterosexuals; the remaining 22 (13%) were classified as regressed adult bisexuals. Of the last group, Groth and Birnbaum observed that "in their adult relationships they engaged in sex on occasion with men as well as with women. However, in no case did this attraction to men exceed their preference for women....There were no men who were primarily sexually attracted to other adult males..." (p.180). Another researcher took a different perspective. Dr. Carole Jenny reviewed 352 medical charts, representing all of the sexually abused children seen in the emergency room or child abuse clinic of a Denver children's hospital during a one-year period (from July 1, 1991 to June 30, 1992). The molester was a gay or lesbian adult in only 2 of the 269 cases in which an adult molester could be identified (less than 1% of the cases).

5.Why is the 'coming out' process difficult for some gays and lesbians?

Because of false stereotypes and unwarranted prejudice towards them, the process of 'coming out' for lesbians and gay men can be a very challenging process which may cause emotional pain. Lesbian and gay people often feel 'different' and alone when they first become aware of same-sex attractions. They may also fear being rejected by family, friends, co-workers and religious institutions if they do 'come out'.

In addition, homosexuals are frequently the targets of discrimination and violence. This threat of violence and discrimination is an obstacle to lesbian and gay people's development. In a 1989 national survey, 5% of the gay men and 10% of the lesbians reported physical abuse or assault related to being lesbian or gay in the last year; 47% reported some form of discrimination over their lifetime. Other research has shown similarly high rates of discrimination or violence

LINKS/REFERENCES

University of California-Davis Clear, accurate explanations of scientific research on homophobia and hate crimes, HIV/AIDS stigma, and other concerns to lesbians and gay men. Actually, the site is extremely valuable for all persons who are concerned about discrimination and hatred.

APA Brouchure Answers to Your Questions About Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality

APA New Reslease Council of Representatives Passes Resolution on So-Called Reparative Therapy

RESOURCES

National Institute of Mental Health 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 7C02 Rockville, MD 20857 (301) 443-4513

Sex Information and Education Counsel of the United States 130 W. 42nd Street, Suite 2500 New York, NY 10036

American Psychological Association Office of Public Affairs 750 First St., N.E. Washington, DC 20002-4242 (202) 336-5700

REFERENCES

Garnets, L.D., et. al, 'Issues in Psychotherapy With Lesbians and Gay Men,' American Psychologist, Vol. 46, No.9, pp 964-972.

Goodchilds, J.D., Psychological Perspectives on Human Diversity in America, American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C., 1993

Garnets, L.D. and Kimmel, D.C., Psychological Perspectives on Lesbians & Gay Male Experiences, Columbia University Press, NY, 1993.

Gonsiorek, J.C., and Weinrich, J.D., Homosexuality: Research Implications For Public Policy, Sage Publications, CA, 1991.

Herek, G.M., and Berrill, K.T., Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Vol. 5, No.3.

J.M. Bailey, R. C. Pillard, "A Genetic Study of Male Sexual Orientation", Archives of General Psychiatry, 48 (1991): 1089-96.

J. M. Bailey, R. C. Pillard, et al, "Heritable Factors Influence Sexual Orientation in Women" Archives of General Psychiatry, 50 (1993): 217-23.

J.A.Y. Hall & D. Kimura, "Dermatoglyphic Asymmetry and Sexual Orientation in Men", Behavioral Neuroscience, Vol. 108 #6, 1994-DEC, P. 1203-1206.

Dean Hamer et al, "A Linkage Between DNA Markers on the X Chromosome and Male Sexual Orientation" Science 261 (1993-JUL-16): pp 321-27.

Dean Hamer & Peter Copeland "The Science of Desire: The Search for the Gay Gene & the Biology of Behaviour", Simon & Schuster (1994

The American Psychological Association has a FAQ page on homosexuality which answers many questions in simple language. See: http://www.butler.edu:80/~woodruff/alliance/APAAnswers.html

Chandler Burr, "A Separate Creation: The search for the biological origins of sexual orientation", Hyperon, New York, NY (1996)

Chandler Burr, "Homosexuality and Biology", Atlantic Monthly, 1993-MAR

Richard Green, "The 'Sissy Boy Syndrome' and the development of homosexuality", Yale University Press, New Haven CT (1987)

J.Michael Bailey & Kenneth Zucker, "Childhood Sex-Typed Behaviour and Sexual Orientation", Developmental Psychology 31 (1) (1995) 43-55

Dr. Eric Lander, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge MA. Quoted in C. Burr, "A Separate Creation", P. 220)

Frederick Whitam & Robin Mathy, "Male Homosexuality in Four Societies: Brazil, Guatemala, the Fillippines and the United States,", Praeger, NewYork NY (1986)

Chandler Burr, author of "A Separate Creation: The Search for the Biological Origins of Sexual Orientation" has a WWW page devoted to the biological research of sexual orienation at: http://members.aol.com/GAYGENE. E-mail address is GAYGENE@aol.com

J.M. Bailey & A. P. Bell, "Familiality of Female and Male Homosexuality.", Behavior Genetics 23(4): 313-322. (1993)

J.M. Bailey & D.S. Benishay, "Familial Aggregation of Female Sexual Orientation.", American Journal of Psychiatry, 150(2): 272-277. (1993)

M. King, and E. McDonald "Homosexuals who are Twins: A Study of 46 Probands.", British Journal of Psychiatry, 160: 407-409. (1992)

F.L. Whitman & M. Diamond, et al. "Homosexual Orientation in Twins: A Report on 61 Pairs and Three Triplet Sets.", Archives of Sexual Behaviour, 22(3): 187-206. (1993)

Anne Moir and David Jessel "Brainsex", Dell Books (1993) 

2. The Christian conservative minister, Albert Mohler, has now begun to state that there is a biological reason for homosexuality. The most interesting research along these lines relates to the study of sheep. Scientists at the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station are conducting research into the sexual orientation of sheep through "sexual partner preference testing." As William Saletan at Slate.com explains: A bare majority of rams turn out to be heterosexual. One in five swings both ways. About 15 percent are asexual, and 7 percent to 10 percent are gay. Why so many gay rams? Is it too much socializing with ewes? Same-sex play with other lambs? Domestication? Nope. Those theories have been debunked. Gay rams don't act girly. They're just as gay in the wild. And a crucial part of their brains--the "sexually dimorphic nucleus"--looks more like a ewe's than like a straight ram's. Gay men have a similar brain resemblance to women. Charles Roselli, the project's lead scientist, says such research "strongly suggests that sexual preference is biologically determined in animals, and possibly in humans." www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=891