National Geographic explains the biology of homosexuality

[Ian David]

National Geographic explains the biology of homosexuality

NatGeo explains how one's sexual orientation is determined during embryonic development. They look at how it is possible for one identical twin to be gay and the other to be straight. They address a new branch of Genetics called, Epigenetics. This area of Genetics explores and explains how one's DNA sequence is NOT the only factor in one's phenotypic (actual) outcome. This episode explains how both twins could have the gene for a disorder, yet only one twin actually has the disorder. The same science explains sexual orientation differences in twins. I have only included the homosexuality explanations.

Before anyone complains, I didn't write the wording for the description, which could be misread to assume that the author thinks of homosexuality as a "disorder."

[Fourier]

1. Even if the author did intend that, it doesn't offend me all that much because 'disorder' can be

defined as a departure from the norm, without ascribing any negative connotation to it. Left-handedness is not, strictly speaking, "normal" simply because it's exhibited in a minority of humans. As a gay person I understand I'm not part of the most common sexually-oriented population, that doesn't bother me. I do take exception when the term "unnatural" is used though...because that's just a lie: the definition of 'natural' is (obviously) whatever occurs in nature and no honest intelligent person would ever deny that homosexuality exists in nature.
Liars and bigots, of course, don't adhere to that standard of truth.

[justiceischeap]

2. Yet, disorder also gives the impression it's something to be "fixed"

and that gives credit to all those "you can change your sexuality" programs. Christians will hear/see the word disorder and grab on to it pushing for a cure of some sort. They'll completely gloss over the fact that we're born this way.

[Ian David]

5. The description of the video didn't MEAN to imply that homosexuality is a disorder.

I think they meant that the same epigenetic principles that cause disorders also cause homosexuality.

[justiceischeap]

6. Yes but as we all are aware, the right will grab onto the word disorder

and use it freely and wrongly.

[Ian David]

7. Of course. n/t

[LAGC]

3. So testosterone not saturating the hypothalamus may explain MALE gayness, but what about WOMEN??

Have there been any studies on lesbian twins?

And what about bisexuals???

Surely there's more to this story?

[Ian David]

4. All good points. Of course there's more to it. n/t

[MarkCharles]

8. Very neat clip. I Don't think Rick Santorum will learn from this!

Nor will other idiots in the Republican Party, nor will fundie Christians.

Thanks for helping to educate me! This all seems very reasonable.