The Gay Brain
By II2aTee
@II2aTee (2559)
United States
June 18, 2008 10:58am CST
Scientists have made many breakthroughs in past years into the origins of human sexuality. Today, one such breakthrough has been made public.
Neuro scans of 90 gay and straight human being reveal that the brain of gay men are strikingly similar to straight women.
www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1815538,00.html?cnn=yes
The research is as always open for debate, but if we keep venturing down this road we may eventually come to the conclusion that human sexuality is rooted in the human brain - just like all of our other life funtions.
These findings fly in the face of opponants to homosexuality who cling to the beleife that homosexuality is a concious choice someone makes.
As a gay man, I can assure you that my attraction to men is much more complex than just deciding to be that way. I, like most homosexuals I know, will say that they knew from an early age that they were forming attractions to their same gender.
What I dont understand is how someone who is not gay understand that homosexuality is not a choice? Do they think all gay people are lieing when we say otherwise? What would have to gain by that?
If I ever made a choice to be gay - I would admit it.
Then I would defend my right to choose how I live my life.
But it's not. I am not defending my right to CHOOSE my lifestyle. I am defending my right to live my life the way it was meant to be lived - with the traits that I was born with.
Maybe the brains of gay men are "wired" differently from straight men. Could this be a peice of the puzzle to understanding human sexuality?
1 person likes this
10 responses
@kerriannc (4279)
• Jamaica
18 Jun 08
Scientists always comes up with their foolishness whenever they want to justified things that are wrong. Homosexuality is wrong and there is nothing named Gay or Straight Brain. Everyone get a BRAIN. It was not given a expection name. God give it a name as Brain. So I think those scientist named to go and tell these persons that their lifestyle is wrong according to God Laws.
2 people like this
@funnysis (2619)
• United States
18 Jun 08
No one is saying wrong or right just trying to figure out how it comes to be,no need to be harsh he is just stating what he thinks and everyone has a different outlook on things of all nature.We just have to face it there are gay people in the world and thats not going away anytime soon if ever but its not for us to judge.Have a great day.1 person likes this
@II2aTee (2559)
• United States
18 Jun 08
You may think it is wrong, but that is your opinion.
All opinions aside there may very well be some real answers out there as to why homosexuals are the way they are. Like the person who responded to you said homosexuals exist, and they have through all time. Would it be that hard for you to entertain the possibility that gay people did not choose to be gay?
If it is brain, genetics, or any other scientific reason, then your opinion would be proven wrong and you would have no reason to continue to judge homosexuals.
It's a scarey thought so I understand why you are so upset about it. But dont worry, science still has a ways to go before this theory can be made fact. You still have plenty of time to hate gay people :)
By the way, we are discussing science here, not morals. If you have a problem with homosexuality I invite you to bring some research or scientific studies to the table. If not, kindly keep your hatefull opinion to yourself because it is counter productive to the progression of my discussion.
1 person likes this
@II2aTee (2559)
• United States
18 Jun 08
Im sorry but there are no social factors that cause homosexuality. Again, this is your OPINION. No one is attacking you, but you are lashing out at the very thought that homosexuality is inborn.
It is the mark of an enlightened mind, he who can entertain a thought, without accepting it as truth.
The reason whu science is researching the cause of homosexuality in the human body is -because- there have never been any proven social factors to lead to this behavior.
You cannot say that gay people are gay because it was learned because there are gay people out there who were raised in scrict religious families. The reason why the cause of homosexuality is of such interest to science is because society has failed to define a cause itself.
No one is attacking you. But if you are closed to the possibility that gay people are only gay because they want to rebel against God, then you really have nothing more you can contribute to this discussion.
If you are so firm in your beliefs, fine. But dont begrudge the scienticif thinkers of the world who are putting more time thought and effort into the subject than you.
2 people like this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
18 Jun 08
Hi Tee, I read the article and am pleased to see yet another bit of evidence for what I think now, the majority of people realize to be true, homosexuality is an inborn trait. Hopefully everyone will soon see the folly of believing anything different. Blessings.
1 person likes this
@funnysis (2619)
• United States
18 Jun 08
Very good article and you are right it very well could be something in the brain that causes it as long as they keep doing studies maybe they can find out just what it is for sure it will be interesting to see what comes of this new information.Have a great day.
@lovespecialangel (3632)
• United States
18 Jul 08
That's very interesting. I always believed you are either born gay or straight. I once heard someone say, or I read it some where-can't remember, that men who are gay were suppose to be born female and women who are gay were suppose to be born men. But something happened that didn't form the baby the right way as far as male and female are concerned.
@blademaiden (734)
• Romania
18 Jul 08
I never thought that gay men are women, they are men who are attracted to men. Being homosexual doesn't mean you become the opposite gender. You are confusing gay and transgender.
@urbandekay (18278)
•
9 Aug 08
Not really since the wiring changes as we learn, indeed learning is in part a rewiring. So all it shows is gay men have different neural wiring which perhaps shouldn't come as a big surprise, what it doesn't show is why they do.
all the best urban
@urbandekay (18278)
•
4 Sep 08
Thanks, I was interested to read this. The crucial line is,
"A number of studies have looked at homosexuality in twins, all with similar results. For example, in one study, if one identical twin was gay, the other was also gay 50% of the time."
Whereas if homosexuality was primarily genetic we would expect to see it close to 100% for exactly the reasons the author outlines.
Furthermore he is wrong in stating that all such studies show a 50% correspondence, in fact the figure varies wildly, which alone suggests bad procedures and lack of proper experimental conditions in some of the studies.
Strangely, he then goes on to contradict himself, admitting that different studies show different correspondent rates.
Forget all the nonsense about brain structure, brains are known to be plastic and no strong link between structure and function of the individual has been established.
This then leaves the position much as I stated before,
That the strongest position defensible would be that genes may predispose a person to homosexuality.
This of course is a reason to rejoice, it is a glorious thing that we, to a large degree, make ourselves.
all the best urban
@II2aTee (2559)
• United States
4 Sep 08
Urban I wanted to show this to you, because it involves studies between twins... a topic we have discussed before. Like all information, of course take it as you will, but I thought of you while I was reading it. Any thoughts?
Hope you are doing well.
Tee
http://www.thetech.org/genetics/ask.php?id=155
@AnnieOakley1 (5596)
• Canada
18 Jun 08
"gay men are strikingly similar to straight women"
AHA! That's why us straight girls like you gay men so much. We do have so much in common.
Yes, I have always believed that it was not a choice, but how we were wired. Period.
It irritates me to no end when those blasted religious bible thumpers try to STUFF IT DOWN YOUR THROAT that gay people are choosing to be that way or falling to temptation to try strange things. 
@II2aTee (2559)
• United States
18 Jun 08
What gets me the most about the "choice"argument is this:
So what if it is a choice? Arent people allowed to choose how they live their lives?
People choose to be Christian. Hello. No one is running around telling them they cant be Christian. Religion is a choice.
We are all entitled to our choices. So if homosexuality IS indeed a choice - I think that would only strengthen my right to be one.
1 person likes this
@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
24 Jun 08
WHAT A FABULOUS ARTICLE!! and I'm so glad you shared it with everyone....I have to admit though, that even though I KNOW how we are born is how we are born I still found the article to be really interesting....Especially considering I had NO IDEA in the first place that our brains were different shapes..I though it was a "one size fits all" kinda deal with the very rare mutant exception LOL
@skinnychick (6905)
• United States
20 Jun 08
This is the proof that some of the world needs. They still won't believe it. Most think it is a conscious choice. They fail to remember that they didn't make a conscious to be straight they just are. So how is it different if your gay? Oh that's right it isn't...Thanks for the evidence. It's very interesting.
@ruby222 (4847)
•
10 Aug 08
That is a very interesting post,I have a friend who is gay and he always says that he knew from a young age that he was gay.He couldnt pin point anything,but he said that he just knew.He tried a relationship with a woman,and it became a lasting friendship ,but he couldnt have called it a relationship in the true sense of the word.But it makes you wonder if any of this research has any value,that the brain of a gay male is in some way ..as you put it..wired differently from a straight male.My friend is a straight gay,and no one would ever guess that he was gay,he doesnt try to hide the fact from anyone,and indeed why should he,he is in a long term relationship ..eight years or more,and his partner also is straight to the point re his sexuality.But I always find it quite amazing,the fact that many of their friends are female,and lol there are many female friendswho worshi pthe ground that they walk on!!
@powerbrokenape (399)
• United States
21 Jun 08
interesting artical. what strikes me is why there wouldn't be any naturally gay animals if homosexuality was based on the brain.
