Our BetterMost Community > Chez Tremblay

BBC News Article.... Womb environment 'makes men gay'

<< < (2/4) > >>

gattaca:
Well, I don't remember the birth experience (does anybody?), and I have only 1 younger sister - so I don't fit the statistical sample. :)

However, I don't remember ever "deciding" to be gay. I just was. There were no higher-level throught processes involved. I can't say whether or not sexual preferences are genetic, hardwired, due to miniscule variations in our DNA, the result of environmental factors, or a combination of all these - but I grew up gay. And I wasn't involved in the 'decision process'.

The paper poses an interesting premise.

ednbarby:

--- Quote from: YaadPyar on June 27, 2006, 11:40:30 am ---My instinctive reaction to articles like this is to think that as long as this kind of research continues, it underlies a fundamental assumption that something "makes" people gay.  If science decides that the causative factor is biologocal, then tolerance, compassion, equal rights...will be advocated.  Otherwise, it's an excuse to justify bogotry. 

Either way, this approach gives me the creeps.  It begs the question of "what's wrong with this certain group of people" and assumes the way to treat them is derived from the answer. 

Does it matter?  Do the differences in people have to be explained by research like this?  Can't we affirm the equal value of all people without it?
--- End quote ---

Good point, Celeste.  I know what you mean - it does bother me, too, that people seem to have to have a "reason" for it, like it's a disease or disability.  I wish everyone could see it the way I think all of us here see it - that we're all equal in general as human beings and specifically in that not a one of us can help who we are attracted to and who we love.  You're right - these articles (and this kind of research and this mindset in general) only serve to promote the notion that homosexuality is a problem that needs to be solved.  So the tent's not straight.  Why can't they just let it be?

Kelda:
I had nothing really to add to the article, but I thought it made interesting reading. Liking the replies too.

Never heard of the Wonder of Boys book, but sounds very interesting, and it does indeed make you think about what also may be 'learned' in the womb.

I do see your point however, Celeste, and while that makes sense to us that there is no reason to do this reseach I do think its a useful tool to brandish against the bigots.

Flashframe777:
I think there are physiological as well as spiritual components to heterosexuality and homosexuality.  By spiritual I don't imply good or bad, but consider it a likely dominant factor.  Science should really examine both sides of the equation. 

Front-Ranger:
Native Americans thought of gay people as having twice the humanity of straight people, who were thought of as being sort of split in half. And thus gay members of the tribe had an exalted place and lived their lives openly and accepted.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page