Sexual Orientation
As mentioned earlier, a person’s sexual orientation is their emotional and erotic attraction toward another individual. While the majority of people identify as heterosexual, there is a sizable population of people within the United States who identify as gay or lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, or other non-hetero sexualities. A 2022 Gallup poll concluded that 7.1% of adult Americans identified as LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, or trans).[1]
sexual orientations
These are most of the commonly referenced sexual orientations, though not a comprehensive list:
- homosexual: emotional and erotic attractions to same-sexed individuals, also referred to as “gay”, or “lesbian”
- heterosexual: emotional and erotic attractions to individuals of another sex, also referred to as “straight”
- bisexual: emotional and erotic attractions to both same-sexed individuals and individuals of another sex
- asexual: individuals who do not experience sexual attraction or have little or no interest in sexual activity
- demisexual: individuals who require an emotional connection in order to develop sexual attraction (note that both demisexuality and asexuality exist on a spectrum).
Additional categories may be used to categorize the more nuanced aspects of sexual identity, including (but not limited to):
- pansexual: individuals who experience attraction in which sex, gender identity, or gender expression do not play a role
- polysexual: individuals who experience attraction to many, but not all genders (sometimes used instead of bisexual).
- queer: an umbrella term for people who don’t identify as heterosexual, or whose attraction isn’t based on gender or sex
Issues of sexual orientation have long fascinated scientists interested in determining what causes one individual to be straight while another is gay. For many years, people believed that these differences arose because of different socialization and familial experiences. However, research has consistently demonstrated that family backgrounds and experiences are very similar among people from all sexual orientations (Bell, Weinberg, & Hammersmith, 1981; Ross & Arrindell, 1988).
Genetic and biological mechanisms have also been proposed, and the balance of research evidence suggests that sexual orientation has an underlying biological component. For instance, over the past 25 years, research has demonstrated gene-level contributions to sexual orientation (Bailey & Pillard, 1991; Hamer, Hu, Magnuson, Hu, & Pattatucci, 1993; Rodriguez-Larralde & Paradisi, 2009), with some researchers estimating that genes account for at least half of the variability seen in human sexual orientation (Pillard & Bailey, 1998). Other studies report differences in brain structure and function between heterosexual and gay or lesbian individuals (Allen & Gorski, 1992; Byne et al., 2001; Hu et al., 2008; LeVay, 1991; Ponseti et al., 2006; Rahman & Wilson, 2003a; Swaab & Hofman, 1990), and even differences in basic body structure and function have been observed (Hall & Kimura, 1994; Lippa, 2003; Loehlin & McFadden, 2003; McFadden & Champlin, 2000; McFadden & Pasanen, 1998; Rahman & Wilson, 2003b).
There is considerably more evidence supporting nonsocial, biological causes of sexual orientation than social ones, especially for males.[2] Scientists do not necessarily believe that sexual orientation is a choice,[3] with some researchers even claiming that it is established at conception.[4] Current scientific investigation usually seeks to find biological explanations for the adoption of a particular sexual orientation. In aggregate, the data suggest that, to a significant extent, sexual orientations are something with which we are born.
Misunderstandings about Sexual Orientation
Regardless of how sexual orientation is determined, research has made clear that sexual orientation is not a choice, but rather it is a relatively stable characteristic of a person that cannot be changed. Claims of successful gay conversion therapy have received wide criticism from the research community due to significant concerns with research design, recruitment of experimental participants, and interpretation of data. As such, there is no credible scientific evidence to suggest that individuals can change their sexual orientation (Jenkins, 2010).
I was considering writing something that would acknowledge that I now judge the major critiques of the study as largely correct. . . . I believe I owe the gay community an apology for my study making unproven claims of the efficacy of reparative therapy. I also apologize to any gay person who wasted time or energy undergoing some form of reparative therapy because they believed that I had proven that reparative therapy works with some “highly motivated” individuals. (Becker, 2012, pars. 2, 5)
Citing research that suggests not only that gay conversion therapy is ineffective, but also potentially harmful, legislative efforts to make such therapy illegal have either been enacted (e.g., it is now illegal in California) or are underway across the United States. Many professional organizations have also issued statements against this practice (Human Rights Campaign, n.d.)
- LGBT Identification in U.S. Ticks Up to 7.1%". Gallup. 17 Feb 2022. ↵
- Bailey JM, Vasey PL, Diamond LM, Breedlove SM, Vilain E, Epprecht M (2016). "Sexual Orientation, Controversy, and Science". Psychological Science in the Public Interest. 17 (21): 45–101. doi:10.1177/1529100616637616 ↵
- Gloria Kersey-Matusiak (2012). Delivering Culturally Competent Nursing Care. Springer Publishing Company. p. 169. ISBN 978-0826193810. Retrieved 10 February 2016. ↵
- Vare, Jonatha W., and Terry L. Norton. "Understanding Gay and Lesbian Youth: Sticks, Stones and Silence." Cleaning House 71.6 (1998): 327–31: Education Full Text (H.W. Wilson). Web. 19 April 2012. ↵