Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Will Increase Prevalence of Homosexuality (

http://www.narth.com ^ | 14 October 2008 | By Trayce Hansen, Ph.D.

[Maelstorm]

By Trayce Hansen, Ph.D.

An accumulation of research from around the world finds that societies which endorse homosexual behavior increase the prevalence of homosexuality in those societies. The legalization of same-sex marriage--which is being considered by voters in several U.S. states--is the ultimate in societal endorsement and will result in more individuals living a homosexual lifestyle.

Extensive research from Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and the United States reveals that homosexuality is primarily environmentally induced. Specifically, social and/or family factors, as well as permissive environments which affirm homosexuality, play major environmental roles in the development of homosexual behavior.

A closer look at the research: Twin study investigations of homosexuality were recently conducted in both Sweden and Finland. Such twin studies compare rates of homosexual behavior between different sibling groups who share varying degrees of genetic similarity (i.e., identical twins versus non-identical twins). By comparing such rates, twin studies help sort out the extent to which homosexual behavior is genetic and/or environmental. For instance, if homosexuality is genetic, then in cases where one identical twin is homosexual the co-twin should be homosexual nearly 100% of the time because identical twins share 100% of their genes.

But that is not what these two large-scale Scandinavian studies found. Both studies revealed that when one identical twin was homosexual the other twin was homosexual only 10% or 11% of the time. Such findings indicate that homosexuality is not genetically determined.

Instead of genetic factors, these Scandinavian studies concluded that unique environmental factors play the largest role in the development of homosexual behavior. The question as to which specific environmental factors contribute to homosexuality was not answered by these studies although some conclusions are offered by Danish and American research data to be discussed later in this article.

But first, it should be noted that although the Swedish and Finnish twin studies are among the best to date, they still have wide margins of error. In fact, the margins of error are so wide it remains entirely possible that genetic factors play no role in the development of homosexuality. That remains to be determined, but what has been resolved is that the primary factor in the development of homosexuality is environmental.

A Danish research investigation studied two million adults living in Denmark, a country where same-sex marriage has been legal since 1989. This study uncovered a number of specific environmental factors that increase the probability an individual will seek a same-sex rather than an opposite-sex partner for marriage.

For Danish men, the environmental factors associated with higher rates of homosexual marriage include an urban birthplace and an absent or unknown father. Significantly, there was a linear relationship between degree of urbanization of birthplace and whether a man chose homosexual or heterosexual marriage as an adult. In other words, the more urban a man's birthplace, the more likely he was to marry a man, while the more rural a man's birthplace, the more likely he was to marry a woman.

For Danish women, the environmental factors related to increased likelihood of homosexual marriage include an urban birthplace, maternal death during adolescence, and mother-absence.

Interestingly, this Danish research finds that urban birthplace and separation from the same-sex parent both were associated with same-sex marriage for men as well as women. (The latter finding supports psychological theories that have long asserted homosexuality is related to childhood problems--real or perceived--with the same-sex parent). In summary, this study finds that environmental factors that contribute to the development of homosexuality can be social and/or familial.

Finally, an American research study--the most comprehensive and representative survey of sexual behavior in America--reported its findings concerning homosexuality. The results of this study also support an environmental theory of homosexuality, not a genetic one. In particular, this survey identified specific types of environments that increase the likelihood of homosexual behavior. The authors describe these environments as "congenial" to the development of homosexuality.

For American men, the environmental factor most related to homosexual behavior was the degree of urbanization during the teenage years. Specifically, boys who lived in large urban centers between the ages of 14 and 16 were three to six times more likely to engage in homosexual behavior than were boys who lived in rural communities during those same ages. The authors offer the following possibility: "an environment that provides increased opportunities for and fewer negative sanctions against same-gender sexuality may both allow and even elicit expression of same-gender interest and sexual behavior (p.308)." Note the word "elicit." These researchers believe that growing up in a more pro-homosexual region may evoke or draw out homosexual behavior in young men. The implication is that some homosexual men who were reared in urban centers would not have become homosexual if reared in non-urban centers. The authors explain, "the environment in which people grow up affects their sexuality in very basic ways (p.309)."

For American women, the environmental factor most associated with a homosexual or bisexual identity was a higher level of education. And though that was also true for men, the pattern for women was more dramatic. For instance, a woman with a college degree was nine times more likely to identify herself as non-heterosexual than a woman with only a high school diploma. The specific elements that create this marked difference are unclear, but the researchers don't believe it's simply due to higher reporting of non-heterosexuality by more educated individuals. They believe one explanation is the fact that with more acceptance, even encouragement, of homosexuality at universities, more university women embrace a non-heterosexual lifestyle. For an example of how that might develop, see Dennis Prager's article entitled, "College Taught Her Not To Be a Heterosexual."

Based on the findings of this American research study, environments that sanction and/or promote homosexuality induce more individuals to engage in homosexual behavior.

Conclusion: All of the aforementioned research studies from four different countries, each utilizing large, countrywide samples, reveal that homosexual behavior is not genetically determined. Rather, the data find that human sexuality is malleable, and environmental experiences and influences can and do shape its expression. Moreover, these findings are supported by decades of anthropological and sociological evidence that reveal that rates of homosexual behavior fluctuate--sometimes greatly--with changes in the social, cultural, and legal climate. The more an environment affirms or encourages same-sex sexuality--whether an urban center or a university campus--the more homosexuality there will be in that setting.

Social and cultural norms, as well as legal regulations, influence human behavior including sexual behavior. So not surprisingly, as the United States and other Western Countries have become increasingly pro-homosexual--socially, politically, and legally--they have experienced an upward trend in the number of individuals engaging in homosexual behavior. That trend will continue if we move beyond mere tolerance of homosexual behavior (which is appropriate) to formally honoring it by legalizing same-sex marriage.

###

References: Butler, A.C. (2005). Gender differences in same-sex sexual partnering, 1988-2002. Social Forces, 84, 421-449.

Frisch, M. & Hviid, A. (2006). Childhood family correlates of heterosexual and homosexual marriages: A national cohort study of two million Danes. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 35, 533-547.

Langstrom, N., Rahman, Q., Carlstrom, E., & Lichtenstein, P. (2008). Genetic and environmental effects on same-sex sexual behavior: A population study of twins in Sweden. Archives of Sexual Behavior, DOI 10.1007/s10508-008-9386-1.

Lauman, E.O., Gagnon, J.H., Michael, S. (1994). The social organization of sexuality: Sexual practices in the United States. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Prager, D. (2005). "College Taught Her Not To Be a Heterosexual." Available on the web at: http://dennisprager.townhall.com.

Santtila, P., Sandnabba, N.K., Harlaar, N., Varjonen, M., Alanko, K., von der Pahlen, B. (2008). Potential for homosexual response is prevalent and genetic. Biological Psychology, 77, 102-105.

[Maelstorm]

•  
• 

  Trayce Hansen, PhD

  Dr. Trayce L. Hansen is a licensed psychologist with a clinical and forensic practice. She received her Ph.D. from the California School of Professional Psychology, San Diego, in 1997. Dr. Hansen’s professional experience is varied and includes work in multiple clinical as well as forensic settings. She is particularly interested in issues related to marriage, parenting, male/female differences, and homosexuality. Dr. Hansen has extensively reviewed the research literature in these areas and occasionally writes commentaries based on her findings that have been published worldwide. She has been heard on local and national radio and interviewed by the web and print media. Dr. Hansen also consults on legal cases and has testified in both deposition and court hearings related to her professional expertise.

[SoConPubbie]

Well DUH!

[RobbyS]

Sure. Many “straights”already do. Most gays are living a libertine life style, and likewise the “straights” for whom marriage in the historical sense is a “tender trap.”

[MAD-AS-HELL]

oh come on....while I am 100% against homosexual marriage, there is no basis in this bogus research. It’s junk science.

[I_Like_Spam]

I’m not suprised by the results of the study.

Man still has free will to determine his own behavior, in spite of what some would say.

[SoConPubbie]

oh come on....while I am 100% against homosexual marriage, there is no basis in this bogus research. It’s junk science.

Oh please yourself!

This is just common-sense, you give something legitimacy and the blessing of the State, all you are telling everyone is that it is OK to live a deviant lifestyle.

Men/Women do not struggle to be bad or selfish. It is a struggle to do the right thing.

Take away the stigma and prohibition for a lifestyle that can be summed up as selfishness, and you will have more people succombing to this lifestyle.

[fleagle]

Not sure I'm buying it...although I did know a few male theater majors in school who became gayer and gayer as they became more involved in theater, but then when they graduated from college got married and had kids. Not sure what that was all about.

I also know some females who've suddenly "turned" gay after having had many unsuccessful relationships with men.

So there may be some environmental and societal factors going on, but most gays I know are, well, gay and that's pretty much that.

[Paved Paradise]

You are completely wrong. One of the most obvious evidentiary supports for this is what occurs within prison system. People who otherwise never practiced homosexuality or lesbianism suddenly do and when they get out, they leave that behind. Strictly environmental.

[Iron Munro]

"I warned you!"

[Maelstorm]

I know. I bet you didn’t hear about this in the media though. I bet you didn’t hear it on Glen Beck or Rush Limbaugh. We are fighting this battle alone. What is interesting about this study is that urban men without fathers are the most likely to be adversely effected.

[Maelstorm]

It is not bogus research or is it bogus just because a homosexual liberal global warming believer told you so?

[MAD-AS-HELL]

but do they end up practicing homosexuality when they get out of prison? And prison is a MUCH different scenario than what happens in the real world. Many guys have to have sex to avoid physical harm (other than to their rectum). You are comparing APPLES AND ORANGES.

[SoConPubbie]

What is interesting about this study is that urban men without fathers are the most likely to be adversely effected.

Which is just common sense as well.

[BallyBill]

I ain't buying it. I can see why legalizing drugs might increase use, but ...well, I just keeping gagging on the thought that straight people will turn gay by choice.

[a fool in paradise]

Will it do anything to reduce promiscuity among homosexuals or will these be marriages in name only?

[a fool in paradise]

well, I just keeping gagging on the thought that straight people will turn gay by choice.

Except for high school girls, lesbians until graduation (college), etc, right?

[MAD-AS-HELL]

yeah that’s it.....better watch out, you might not only catch the swine flu but you might catch the gay bug!

[edcoil]

“Extensive research...reveals that homosexuality is primarily environmentally induced.”

So being gay is caused by global warming?

[MAD-AS-HELL]

ok, if we can prove that Buttcrack Obama is light in his air jordan’s then I will say this has some merit.

[stripes1776]

I’m not suprised by the results of the study. Man still has free will to determine his own behavior, in spite of what some would say.

Perhaps man has free will, but what does that have to do with the study? The study says that sexual behavior is determined by environment. If a particular behavior is determined by environment, then in that context that behavior is not determined by free will.

Here is the main conclusion of the study: "Instead of genetic factors, these Scandinavian studies concluded that unique environmental factors play the largest role in the development of homosexual behavior." If environmental factors develop a particular behavior, then that behavior is not the result of free will on the part of an individual.

Psychological behaviorists are determinists. They use statistical methods. They assume that there is some social factor that determines a particular behavior. Statistical, quantitavie methods do not offer any possibility of studying free will.

A man exercising free will would refuse to let environmental factors determine his behavior.

[Maelstorm]

I don’t understand what you are getting at. The most recent twin studies have laid to rest the idea that Homosexuality is genetic. If it is it is very weak with 10-11% influence. As for someone being gay, what is that exactly? The one gay man that I know very well, we had diner not so long ago with my family. He was always a rather scrawny gentle guy but throughout highschool he did not identify himself as gay. He date my wife as a child, she kicked him in the balls when he tried to kiss her so there is no doubt he had fairly normal interests in girls. The one thing he also had was an uncle who molested him sometime after that. He also has many health problems related to his lifestyle especially the lower intestinal kind.

I still appreciate my friend, I do not accept his lifestyle and he knows this, but I do accept him as individual. The sexual activists want to present this issue as an either or. You either love their diseased horrid incorrect behavior or you can’t love us. This is insane. I loved my sister even though I did not love the life she led up until her death. I also love my nephew who had to be treated to prevent the transference of an STD right after birth because of her behavior.

I have more stories than this one but sadly most people know very little about this lifestyle personally, its variations, or the people involved. They are safer wearing their homosexual friends on their sleeve like collectible yuppie trinkets. They parrot the bully activists because they are afraid. They are more likely to accept fictional shows like Will and Grace at face value than accept scientific research. Well I will not see the door closed on these people and I also will not stop until the radical agenda of the sexually disturbed is stopped.

[IrishCatholic]

It always amazes me that NARTH is allowed on the web. Same for Junk Science. The Democrats are pretty slow on setting up the reeducation camps.
Of course, with the new hate crimes law the site will probably be shut down.

[polymuser]

So there may be some environmental and societal factors going on, but most gays I know are, well, gay and that's pretty much that.

I believe the exact opposite is becoming known through various studies. The 2% of population that's actually homosexual may be due to predisposition by various causes, but it's still unnatural in all aspects and against natural selection. Don't drink the pink koolaid.

[CharlesWayneCT]

It does appear to have a basis, as it appears to rely on collected data which shows a difference in homosexual behavior based on measurable environmental factors.

In fact, it would be funny if, rather than the 10% twins study showing a minor genetic disposition to homosexuality, that it instead shows that environmental factors are the key — in this case, being that if a twin is homosexual, it would make the other twin more accepting of homosexual behavior.

Anecdotally it is easy to see that where homosexual behavior is encouraged, more homosexual behavior occurs. It will be a while but I expect that we will find the children of homosexual parents will be gay more often then the general population, not because of a gay gene but because of upbringing.

In prison, men have gay sex. But these are not people who were homosexuals before they went to prison, they are just men who want to have whatever sex they can have, and if they can’t have women, they’ll have men.

Why is it hard to believe that boys who find it hard to relate to women, but who want sex, wouldn’t take the same route, finding other boys who similarly want sex and can’t get girls to have sex with them?

[SoConPubbie]

So being gay is caused by global warming?

The reason or cause of becoming Gay is summed up quite well, in my opinion, in Romans chapter 1. Basically, and forgive me for summing it up, it states that men make continual selfish, sinful choices to please themselves instead of God, and as a result, God at some point gives up and gives them this horrible "abomination" of a disease where he removes all of his grace and they are left to the worst of human desires, men lusting after men and women lusting after women. Furthermore, they are described and the most immoral of all human beings.

[TheBigIf]

The fact that no one seems to mention in the debate about gay marriage is the fact that the left-wing wants to force their opinions of sexuality upon society. They want all children to be brought up being taught that homosexuality is normal and an equal choice to heterosexuality. They want those that discriminate against homosexuality to be punished in a court of law.

It is the left-wing that acts as if the science is settled when it is not.

I absolutely do believe that if we take the approach that the left-wing wants then we will see an increase in the prevalence of homosexuality and an increase in all acts of sexual corruption as well but I do at least admit that the science to back up this belief is still open for debate.

That is why this issue must be determined through our right to representation and not dictated to us by a court.

[SoConPubbie]

So being gay is caused by global warming?

Here is the supporting scripture to my earlier posting:

Romans 1:18-32

18  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

21  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23  And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

24  Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

25  Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

26  For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

27  And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

28  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

29  Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30  Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31  Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

32  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

[Maelstorm]

Well we know that in places in countries where it is legal it does not decrease promiscuity or prevalence of disease.

[The_Repugnant_Conservative]

Insufficient evidence to support her conclusions Both studies revealed that when one identical twin was homosexual the other twin was homosexual only 10% or 11% of the time. Such findings indicate that homosexuality is not genetically determined.

If prevalence of Homosexuality was already 10-11% in that environment then yes. But without a control group impossible to state. Additionally note tracking of prevalence rates is based solely on rates of those choosing to enter into marriage either gay or straight. Without presenting any evidence that these should be anticipated at the same rate. Finally we should concider the rates of the Closeted Homosexual for whom a large swing in numbers would be anticipated based upon acceptance in the community. The evidence would probably support a conclusion that the Publicly Gay community would increase in size with any act of additional acceptance on the part of society. The rest would need further controlled studies.

[fleagle]

I think when a young boy is molested by a man it creates lasting, terrible emotional problems for him. It's tragic. I have a cousin who was molested by his scout master and has never been the same since. It's been thirty years since the molestation, which unfortunately went undetected for many years. He hasn't married and has "dabbled" (for lack of a better word) in a homosexual lifestyle. My heart breaks for him.

It's difficult for me to understand the gay lifestyle, but I do believe that some people are born gay. That doesn't make me a proponent of gay marriage, as I strongly believe that marriage is one man and one woman and true marriage is based on having children and becoming a strong, loving, productive family.

[fleagle]

I do agree that homosexuality is unnatural.

[TomasUSMC]

Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Will Increase Prevalence of Homosexuality

Well we already have a Closet Gay President.....

http://larrysinclair-0926.blogspot.com/

[allmendream]

That must be why Iran, according to Ackmanonjihad DOESN’T HAVE any homosexuals.

[fleagle]

What’s upsetting to me, but not surprising, is how my liberal friends (and ex-friends) jumped all over the Cali court’s recent decision NOT to overrule the majority of people who decided against legalizing gay marriage. It really is upsetting the way the left wants to control society through the courts. They want to overrule the will of the people because, in their view, the “people” are nothing more than small-minded bigots, idiots and morons who wouldn’t have the sense to piss with their pants on fire unless a liberal was there to tell them to.

[Maelstorm]

I have to disagree on that point alone. To say someone is “born” gay exclusively is a dangerous lie that is meant to entrap and intimidate. I know that is not necessarily your goal because you probably want to just be nice cause you have some gay friends or relatives but the activists certainly have used this lie effectively simultaneously preying on people’s fears about their own sexuality so they can say “whew” its genetic so that leaves me out or leave people who may have an incidental homosexual fantasy the idea that they might have been born gay. This is why I believe that it is so dangerous especially for children in their formative years.

Homosexuality also is not the only form of sexual peculiarity. Are all of these genetic and unchangeable? I hardly believe that. Some people are born with a tendency to accumulate and store more fat than others something that is exacerbated by a sedentary society. Very few would tell them to be happy and indulge themselves to their hearts content while making seats 4 feet wide in airplanes and theaters along with larger toilets, and banning fat jokes.

I don’t in the least hate people who think they must be gay. (Most of the time I’m the last to know.) I hate the horrible lifestyle they wish to integrate and force acceptance of into society which I think is dangerous and causes unnecessary confusion in a world where clarity and reason is needed more than ever.

[Maelstorm]

I’m sure Iran has very few in comparison to the rest of the world. I imagine they don’t have any porn either. I do believe this study is valid. Those that experiment and identify themselves as homosexuals especially, urban male youths with no father figures will be more susceptible. This just confirms what studies have show for the past 60 years. It is not new. The media will have an ahha moment eventually and behave as if they have discovered anew what has been known for decades. They discovered in the 90s the differences between men and women but the research was not really new. It just didn’t serve the leftist cause. No one wants to acknowledge research at all because they know it does not support them and that it is a battle they can not win just like they can not win on facts with Global warming.
The stakes are high and if we do not push back on the left in this country, Iran will not have to fire a shot in its efforts to rule the world.

[allmendream]

Selection bias.

Iran doesn't “have” any homosexuals. That is because they kill them. Thus if you are a homosexual in Iran you pretend you are not.

In societies where gays are accepted there will be more who ADMIT to being gay, that in no way shows the incidence of homosexuality has gone up within the population.

Gays are present in every population of humans and have been throughout history.

[WOSG]

Is there a source less biased/more credible than NARTH for this factiod:
“Both studies revealed that when one identical twin was homosexual the other twin was homosexual only 10% or 11% of the time. Such findings indicate that homosexuality is not genetically determined.”

[TheBigIf]

“Gays are present in every population of humans and have been throughout history.”

So has every form of crime and corruption under the sun. And throughout history when a crime or corruption has been made acceptable then it has increased in prevalence as well.

[GSWarrior]

As long as parents with crappy parenting skills continue to have children there will be no shortage of homosexuals.

[Paved Paradise]

Look, the point of this article is that environment is a factor. I am providing supporting evidence that this is true. I am not talking about the guys who are raped or do it to avoid having their butts kicked. There are many who simply just resort to it. Have you even studied this at all? It appears not. Sexuality is not as hard-wired as some would believe.

[The_Repugnant_Conservative]

Prison may not be a good relationship.

In one you have a choice between gay sex or Celibacy/possible death/injury

In the other it’s a question of are you turned on by Men or Women?

I think the dynamics of a forced single sex environment are sufficiently different from the rest of the world that we can’t make a good comparison nor draw conclusions in this case.

[TheBigIf]

What you seem to be saying is that prison proves that many people would choose homosexuality if they were denyed access to the opposite sex and they were in an enviroment whereas homosexual behavior was more accepted as it is in prison.

Many children and young adults though go through akward periods of life whereas sexuality and social situations with the opposite sex can be very stressful and whereas they have problems coping. Many may want to have sexual relations with the opposite sex but it is not working out for them and they struggle with their self-esteem.

We also know that preying on children and young adults is much more prevelant among those who practise homosexuality.

So if we are telling our children that homosexuality should be treated as being equal to heterosexuality would that not tend to lend itself to a similar type of choice in the minds of some of these young adults or children?

If they are already struggling to find themselves sexually and are feeling stressed because they are being rejected by the opposite sex then we are only setting them up for worse confusion if and when they are confronted by homsexuality from a predetor.

It seems that the prison analogy works fine.

[Paved Paradise]

I totally disagree. The natural heterosexual is completely disgusted by sex with the same gender. Morever, there are many prohibitions that people have for moral and other reasons.

You want it to be your way and not look at this as a legitimate point.

The real point is that people make CHOICES. Furthermore, have you ever heard of something called, “an acquired taste?” Sometimes that’s exactly what happens. Not always. I am not speaking of every single instance of homosexuality. It is a complex issue that you appear to be trying to simplify.

As for the gay sex vs. celibacy, I can assure you that most men would choose celibacy and as for the possible death/injury, that is completely exaggerated.

[Paved Paradise]

I just had to respond to your excellent point. I am actually reading something about determinism right now and it is beyond fascinating.

I think your points are excellent but I do think that environment plays a factor in how people sometimes WILL choose. They still have free will but depending on situations, sometimes it takes more strength than at other times. An example of this is the married man who works with all men, never travels and only sees women when he is with his wife. He never strays. Well, if he really wanted to, I suppose he could look up trouble (particularly easy nowadays with the internet). Contrast that with the man who works with many, many attractive women and has to travel sometimes WITH women or is on the road for long stretches. Am I defending THAT particular man’s straying, if he does? No, absolutely not, but I do believe that he must work harder at the job to remain faithful. This is simplistic, I realize, but environment DOES affect people. However, I do not subscribe the the determinist theories.

[Paved Paradise]

There were WAY more homosexuals in pre-biblical times. When the Pentateuch was written and God forbade it in the LAW, things changed. There will ALWAYS be more homosexuality when it is socially acceptable.

There will always be homosexuals - true - but when it is considered okay and a culturally legitimate practice, the numbers will go up.

[fleagle]

I don't disagree with you. I'm just not sure that some people aren't "born" gay. If they are I believe it is an abnormality. We can't be gay and survive. But I do believe some people are wired differently. A small percentage, to be sure.

I don't like the lifestyle either. Most of my gay friends are not monogamous, with many of the men admitting to having hundreds and hundreds of sexual partners...many of those partners were anonymous trysts in gay clubs. That's not a lifestyle that is moral or right or one that I personally am comfortable with.

I don't believe we should mainstream homosexuality. Absolutely not. But what can we as a society do if someone is gay, or chooses to be gay?

[longtermmemmory]

If as the evidence now demonstrates, homosexual behavior is LEARNED not genetic then the debate should move to prevention. Does society have an interest in PREVENTING the teaching of this behavior.

If the behavior is learned then what is the cause? Should that cause be identified, then how much effort should society expend to prevent that cause?

[allmendream]

There is no reason to think the absolute number of homosexual proclivity as a percentage of the population has changed.

Nobody without those proclivities would EVER say “Hey, it is acceptable now, so what the heck?”

Iran has not freed themselves of homosexuality by killing them, they have just driven them underground (unless you are a Mullah caught molesting a boy, in which case you can have a sex change forced on the boy and that is supposed to make everything OK again).

Cultural conditions can produce such proclivities in those developing their sexuality, boarding school, sexual segregation, the burkha, etc. Hard to get ‘programmed’ to be sexually attracted to women when you never see them.

You either have those proclivities and hide them, or you have those proclivities and do not hide them; or you do not have those proclivities.

Don't make me quote Andrew Dice Clay at you! ;)

[stripes1776]

I do think that environment plays a factor in how people sometimes WILL choose.

Yes, I agree with you. Context or environment can play a factor. So we could say that man has free will, but not a perfect free will. He may even do things thoughtlessly and spontaneously. Or he may simply be mistaken and choose to do the wrong thing, thinking it is the right thing. The example you give is a good one.