• Can homosexuals be identified by mannerisms and characteristics?
  Only a small percentage of homosexuals can be identified by mannerisms or characteristics; in fact, a number of heterosexuals share mannerisms associated with homosexuals.
• In a gay relationship, does one partner assume a masculine role and the other a feminine one?
  This idea is based on comparing gay and lesbian people to traditional roles. Today, most homosexual couples work on a basis of equality and mutual respect. They want to be appreciated for who they are, not for what roles they can fulfill.
• What causes homosexuality?
  Many theories propose that homosexuality is “caused” by something such as social conditioning, family dynamics, hormonal imbalance, bad experiences with the opposite sex, etc. Asking for a cause actually implies that there is something wrong with homosexuality; that is, if a cause could be identified, homosexuality could be cured.
• Is it true that most homosexual people simply have had poor experiences with those of the opposite sex?
  Homosexuals who enter a heterosexual relationship out of fear or desperation often place excessive strain on themselves and their partners. Most homosexuals would choose not to enter a sexual relationship with the opposite sex; they often resent and challenge the inference that only heterosexuals can have “good” sex.
• Is it true that the majority of child molesters are gay?
  According to police statistics, over 90 percent of all convicted child molesters are heterosexual males; however, heterosexual males are rarely identified by the media as murderers, kidnappers or child molesters. In contrast, when a child molester is a homosexual, their sexual orientation is broadcasted prominently. As a result, society learns to associate homosexuality with child molestation.
• Do homosexual people regard themselves as members of the opposite sex?
  This is confusing homosexuality with transsexuality, identities that are completely different from each other.
• Does homosexuality exist in nature?
  From a scientific point of view, homosexuality is natural. All animals, including humans, can respond to homosexual stimuli. Homosexuality is universal, to some degree, within most species. Evidence of homosexuality in human cultures occurs throughout history; one anthropological study found that 64 percent of non-western cultures considered homosexuality to be normal and socially acceptable.
• Will gay men and lesbians try to persuade heterosexuals to become gay or lesbian?
  Numerous studies have shown that a person’s sexual orientation has been determined by age four or five. You cannot make a person homosexual or heterosexual. It is highly unlikely that gay men or lesbians will attempt to persuade heterosexuals to become homosexual.
• Are people simply either homosexual or heterosexual?
  Dr. Alfred Kinsey’s data suggests that few people are exclusively heterosexual or homosexual. His data suggests that everyone exists on a continuum. This means that people have the capacity to experience affection and sexual feelings for members of both sexes.
• Is there a significant difference between the lifestyles of gay men and lesbians?
  In its most basic state, no differences exist between intimate relationships of any kind; however, societal pressures can cause distinct differences. For instance, all men, gay or straight, are typically expected to be macho and to engage in more short-term relationships than women, making it more difficult to engage in long-term, stable, monogamous relationships. In contrast, women have been socialized to believe that long-term monogamy is the standard. Those who maintain that people are people regardless of sex often believe that once society's sex roles have been discarded men and women will be able to explore alternative models of behavior rather than relying on the predominant societal roles.
• Is homosexuality a type of mental illness?
  In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association determined that homosexuality is a way of life. Homosexuality is not a mental or emotional illness. The American Psychological Association's (APA) official position is that it would be unethical to try to change the sexual orientation of a homosexual person.
• Does a homosexual experience as a child create a predisposition toward homosexuality as an adult?
  It has been estimated that 70 percent of all people (Time, 1992) will have had at least one homosexual experience before the age of 18. If a childhood homosexual experience did influence predispositions, many more individuals would be homosexuals.

Last Modified: May 11, 2007