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June 18, 2008

Study: People Are Born Gay?

In a new study from Stockholm’s Karolinska Institute, researchers reported clear similarities in brain physicality and function among straight men and lesbians, and straight women and gay men, The Toronto Star reported today. The results of the study could indicate that people are born gay, as these similarities are almost certainly present at birth, according to the Star .

With the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), researchers noted that in straight men and lesbians, the right hemisphere of the brain is markedly larger than the left. In both straight women and gay men, however, the right hemisphere is approximately the same size as the left, the Star reported.

In the brains of the 20 straight men, 20 straight women, 25 gay men, and 25 lesbians who participated in the study, similarities in amygdala function were also noted. The amygdala, a segment in the brain, is responsible for emotional behavior, fear responses, and aggression.

McMaster University neuroscientist Sandra Witelson told the Star , "These are differences that can’t be explained by any environmental or learning factors…so in fact, there’s a [genetic] predisposition.”

These results could help LGBT political causes such as marriage equality and legal protections.

The study, authored by Karolinska’s Dr. Ivanka Savic, was published online yesterday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. (The Advocate)

Reader Comments

These comments are reproduced as written by visitors to this Web site. They have not been edited for content, grammar, or spelling. The viewpoints appearing here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of advocate.com, The Advocate, or its affiliates.

  • Name: danielle
    Date posted: 2008-12-06 6:01 PM
    Hometown: long beach

    Comment:

    What's interesting is that there are some gay advocates--Judith Butler--who believe that gender and sexual preference is a choice. Butler is not a homophobe, but believes that an essentialist view won't lead to the kind of political change we need. She thinks that through subversion of gender norms, we can achieve a more tolerant world. It's a slippery slope, but quite interesting.


  • Name: ready4change
    Date posted: 2008-11-04 5:11 PM
    Hometown: Atlanta, GA

    Comment:

    People Are NOT Born Gay ! ! ! Homosexuality is a LEARNED Behavior, UNHEALTHY Behavior, and IMMORAL Behavior ! ! If such a Study is True (which its not, just a bunch of gay scientists anyway), then one could also argue that they are born Racist. Are people born Racist ?? No ! Are people born Gay ? ? NOOOOO ! ! ! ! Its simply a Lifestyle choice..


  • Name: Hailey
    Date posted: 2008-10-01 11:02 PM
    Hometown: California

    Comment:

    Gays are just like everyone else in this world. They find someone they love and honestly what is the problem in that. I believe that people are born gay and what is wrong with that...nothing. People should be able to love whoever they want and not get called horrible things ecspecially if they cant help it because they were born that way. and honestly there is nothing to fix. and i agree that science rules because it shows stupid people that its not ur choice. I am not gay but i am on ur side.


  • Name: Larry
    Date posted: 2008-06-18 8:59 PM
    Hometown: Urbandale, Iowa

    Comment:

    Still another study. Nothing but nothing will convince the right wing idiots that it isn't a chosen lifestyle, and thus immoral. Remember, these folk don't believe in science, either. Their minds are made up; don't convince them with facts! They hate all things different from them... politically, religiously, socially. Why are we wasting our time on this?


  • Name: Larry
    Date posted: 2008-06-18 2:09 PM
    Hometown: Olympia, WA

    Comment:

    Yet another study that just confirms what gays already know, that your orientation is built in. Will this one convince the Nay-sayers and Homophobes that we don't have a choice in who we're attracted to, or will they say, " but your lifestyle just changes the shape of your brain" or some other such nonsense? At any rate it's nice to have somebody on our side. Science rules!!!!


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