i thought this would be some good fodder for d&d. more proof that homosexuality is biological and not just a choice. http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1815538,00.html What the Gay Brain Looks Like Tuesday, Jun. 17, 2008 By ALICE PARK Michael Prince / Corbis What makes people gay? Biologists may never get a complete answer to that question, but researchers in Sweden have found one more sign that the answer lies in the structure of the brain. Scientists at the Karolinska Institute studied brain scans of 90 gay and straight men and women, and found that the size of the two symmetrical halves of the brains of gay men more closely resembled those of straight women than they did straight men. In heterosexual women, the two halves of the brain are more or less the same size. In heterosexual men, the right hemisphere is slightly larger. Scans of the brains of gay men in the study, however, showed that their hemispheres were relatively symmetrical, like those of straight women, while the brains of homosexual women were asymmetrical like those of straight men. The number of nerves connecting the two sides of the brains of gay men were also more like the number in heterosexual women than in straight men. Just what these brain differences mean is still not clear. Ever since 1991, when Simon LeVay first documented differences in the hypothalamus of gay and straight men, researchers have been struggling to understand what causes these differences to occur. Until now, the brain regions that scientists have come to believe play a role in sexual orientation have been related to either reproduction or sexuality. The Swedish study, however, is the first to find differences in parts of the brain not normally involved in reproduction — the denser network of nerve connections, for example, was found in the amygdala, known as the emotional center of the brain. "The big question has always been, if the brains of gay men are different, or feminized, as earlier research suggests," says Dr. Eric Vilain, professor of human genetics at University of California Los Angeles, "then is it just limited to sexual preference or are there other regions that are gender atypical in gay males? For the first time, in this study it looks like there are regions of the brain not directly involved in sexuality that seem to be feminized in gay males." Vilain, who studies the genetic factors behind sexuality and sexual orientation, notes that it may turn out that the brains of gay men possess only some 'feminized' structures, while retaining some masculine ones, and this is reflected in how they act on their sexuality. "We know from studies that men, regardless of their sexual orientation, retain masculine characteristics when it comes to their sexual behavior," he says. Both gay and straight men, for example, tend to prefer younger partners, in contrast to women, who gravitate toward older partners. Most men are also more likely than women to engage in casual sex, and to be aroused by visual stimuli. "So I expect that some regions of the brain will remain masculine even in gay men," says Vilain. For something as complex as sexual orientation, it's no surprise that everything from genes to gender to environment may play a role in ultimately determining your perfect partner.
Interesting study. I will object to the genetic/choice false dichotomy though (in your post, not the article). Homosexuality as a choice seems like a strawman used to steamroll opposition. There are a lot of studies that point to social and even non-genetic biological (men with many older brothers from the same womb are more likely to be gay) correlaries, but anyone who wants to say it isn't strictly genetic is typecast as a homosexuality-as-a-choice proponent. Dr. Vilain has just about the coolest name ever.
not disagreeing that environment does play some role. hell i just saw something i foxnews.com (it is one of the funniest news sites around...go figure lol) that a thailand school created a bathroom for transvestites. the interesting part of the story was that in a survey at the school 200 of the 2600 students considered themselves transgendered. here is the link http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,368301,00.html
Interesting but imo irrelevent Whether it is a choice or not . .. is irrelevent to whether they should have equal rights . . . .. or even expanded rights They should have Equal rights . .. period . .. The issue/argument is definition of what equal rights means Rocket River
I went to school with a pair of identical twin boys. one had a deep blokey voice and manly presence about him, had his pick of the ladies (and took full advantage)Loved Sport etc. the other had a high pitched voice, hung out with girls, participated in dance groups, and shortly after leaving my school came out of the closet. my brain hurts trying to work that one out.
Really? So a gay person can talk about their relationship in the same way a heterosexual person can in the military?
Being in the military is a right? If so then people with tattoos, flat feet, and criminal records should go to court.
No - being treated equally is though, no? If black people couldn't serve in the military, would you say they were treated equally, since being in the military isn't a right? How about black people not being allowed to use a public restroom - since there's no right to use a restroom, they are being treated equally?
Sorry I derailed this thread but I was not alone. If the OP wants to talk more about the scientific and cultural implications I am fine with continuing this political discussion in another thread. I fully endorse the bathroom thing.
Wait - just to be clear, if black people weren't allowed to join the military, you would consider them as having equal rights?
Only if they love a person of the opposite sex who is of age and passes a blood test. You cannot say this is "who they love"
Weird how you need to prove me racist. Military is not a right. Women have equal rights, but cannot serve in some portions of the .mil in the USA. The reason is the same reason openly gay people cannot.
It has nothing to do with racism - that's just the most obvious example and one that has a relevant history in this country. Interesting that you still haven't answered the question, though. You stated that gay people have the same rights as everyone else. You stated that gay people do not have a right to serve in the military, even if they qualify in all other aspects. I'm asking you if the military banned black people, if you would also consider them to have the same rights as everyone else? Why is it so difficult to answer? And what would that reason be, in your opinion?
