Homosexuality: Genetics, Environmental, or Both

During the 2000 census, officials attempted to get an accurate count of the number of homosexuals living in the US. Because of the unexpected small number reported, they believe they were unsuccessful. The official count was 1% of the population which has been heavily criticized and is not believed to be true.

Most, if not all of us know someone who is gay. For some of us, it turns our stomach upside down, inside out. For others, some of our closest friends are homosexuals. Some of you may be homosexual. That brings up the age old question: Is homosexuality a learned behavior, something you are born with, or a little bit of both? Genetics, environment, or both?

In an attempt to answer this question within the medical community, the following are the only possible answers to the question:
1. Because of the desire to experiment, people fall into homosexual behavior.
2. Homosexuality is a mental illness. Just as a pedophile is a mentally disturbed individual, homosexuality is sometimes viewed as a mental illness.
3. Homosexuals are born this way. It is biological and there is no choice involved.

So which answer is correct? No medical research has shown a link between genetics and homosexuality. A homosexual and heterosexual persons' genetic make-up are not different. Because I believe in evidence based medicine and because of other personal reasons, my thoughts are that homosexuality is strictly a learned behavior.

So I am sure each one of you are thinking about the homosexuals you encounter and if you believe he/she was born this way or if it was learned. I am sure you will begin to think back to the very earliest memory that you have of that person. For me, this memory is of my cousin Jack who as a 6 year old, he loved dolls and shunned the thought of playing with trucks, cars, and typical boy things. These memeories would make me believe that genetics plays a huge role and that he was born this way. How could a 6 year old learn such a thing? Then I start to think about the possible things that could have happened to him to cause this sort of behavior. Was it a traumatic event? Was it something he witnessed? I even start to question this whole thought of evidence based medicine! Many homosexuals experienced traumatic homosexual events as children or their first sexual encounter proved to be homosexual (1970 Kinser Institute).

So, what do I tell patients who talk to me about homosexual desires:
1. Avoid other homosexuals- Just like anything else...if you don't like it or want it, stay away. Since there is no medical evidence that suggests it is genetic and can not be changed, you can 'unlearn' this behavior if desired. 'If desired' being the keys part of that sentence. According to Kinser Institute study in 1970, many homosexuals experienced traumatic homosexual events as children or their first sexual encounter proved to be homosexual. That behavior can be unlearned.
2. If there is a history of trauma as a child, deal with it- These memories may plague you. You must deal with them. If psychological treatment or counseling is necessary, I refer. Ask your NP to do the same if necessary.
3. Organizations- There are organizations out there to help with those attempting to get away from homosexuality.
4. Religion- Not all believe in a higher being, but I believe in God. According to medical literature, relegious committments seems to be most helpful in changing a homosexual lifestyle.

For those patients who are homosexual and love their life as it is, I encourage safe sex with one partner and making smart choices.