Sexual identity hard-wired by genes.

[trof]

Sexual identity is wired into the genes, which discounts the concept that homosexuality and transgender sexuality are a choice, California researchers reported on Monday.

“Our findings may explain why we feel male or female, regardless of our actual anatomy,” said Vilain. “These discoveries lend credence to the idea that being transgender —- feeling that one has been born into the body of the wrong sex — is a state of mind.”
http://www.msnbc.com/news/982646.asp?0na=x22129O0-

nyah, nyah, nyah
told ya so
;-)

[RC]

1. Wired into the genes, huh?

So how come one of a set of identical twins can be gay, but not the other?

[pw]

3. The other one is just in the closet.

There are actually researchers who have said that...

[Q3JR4]

5. The same reason

that one set of twins can be left handed and not the other.

[newyawker99]

6. Hi Q3JR4!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[foreigncorrespondent]

11. Most likely...

...because the twin that isn't homosexual is either living in denial, or never got that part of the gene. A twin might be indetical on the outside, but that doesn't mean that they are indentical on the inside.

[pw]

2. At least this explains gender identity in rats

The story is very simplistic, and among other things seems to conflate sexual identity (gay/straight/bi) with gender identity (male/female). All you have to do is go to an urban gym to know that's not a good idea.

[salmonhorse]

4. Ee-yup ~

You should talk to my pals, Ed & Curtis, queer as $3 bills and they will tel you as much. They will confirm; short of the notion of hedonism of course ~

he·don·ism
(hdn-zm)
n.
Pursuit of or devotion to pleasure, especially to the pleasures of the senses.
Philosophy: The ethical doctrine holding that only what is pleasant or has pleasant consequences is intrinsically good.
Psychology: The doctrine holding that behavior is motivated by the desire for pleasure and the avoidance of pain.

[Scaramouche]

7. Guess this means more money for finding...

The Gay Gene...

[pandatimothy]

8. So then people who hate homosexuals can test for the gene and..

then abort their children who have it? Nice. :-(

[eleny]

13. Hmmmm....

now that's a most cogent point to raise. What would the religious right wingers do? They could say the research is bogus. But I bet they would still want to find out. And if they gave in to their fearful curiosity, what do they do if they learned their child has homosexual genetics? and which parent contributed it?

Such a corner that the wingers have painted themselves into in the first place. It's so much easier to embrace the world and the child that "god" created.

[Zorra]

9. Gay and transgendered are

not the same thing. Many gay folks accept their gender identity, ie, a gay man does not necessarily view himself as a woman, nor does a lesbian necessarily view herself as a man.

On the other hand, a transgendered person, transsexuals in particular, experience profound gender dysphoria, which is having the anatomy of one gender but believing themselves to be of the opposite gender.

“Our findings may explain why we feel male or female, regardless of our actual anatomy,” said Vilain. “These discoveries lend credence to the idea that being transgender —- feeling that one has been born into the body of the wrong sex — is a state of mind.”

[mermaid]

12. Thank You...So Few Know The Difference!!

i'm so glad YOU posted that. I am a transsexual, and there is a HUGE difference between gay and TS.
GAY is abiut who yiu are attracted to
TS is about how you percieve yiurself!!


Myself being TS (male-to-female...almost 1 year since the surgery...my rebirthday is Oct.30!!!) I can tell you TS sexuality runs the gamut from straight to bi to gay, to asexual.

In my case...I'm pretty much asexual. I could care less if I ever have sex again in my life! Never was real entusiastic about it to begin with.
See, my surgery had everything to do with ME...not with what I might be attracted to.
Having said all that...were I to have a partner again, it would definitely be a male (the idea of sexual relations with another woman is revolting to me) but, I'm really a lot more interested in the love, companionship, friendship aspects of a relationship. I'd be happy in a sexless relationship.

In fact, I say often that the only thing I need from a man that my dog can't provide is a double income. Becuase I surely don't NEED sex. I'd do it, if I HAD to (with a man...NOT my dog!!)...but would prefer a guy who doesn't much care for it either....yeah, I know...good luck, right??

It bothers me a bit, in that article, thuough, where they speak of "transsexual sexuality" They still confuse TGism with sexuality...and it actually has NOTHING to do with one's sexuality.

[dsc]

10. I am convinced that this is true

but it is a two edged sword. While being born gay could lead to it being equated with religion or race legally but it also could lead to it being treated as a disease that needs cures or prevention via abortion. I have no clue which way it will go.