1. Sexual Orientation
© Robert J. Atkins, Ph.D.

3. What is Kinsey’s Continuum?
Seven point scale
0=Heterosexual
6=Homosexual
Kinsey (%Homosexual)
2% of females
4% of males
Recent NHSL survey
(%Homosexual)
1.4% females
2.8% males

4. What causes sexual orientation?
Hormones
Chromosomes
Brain differences
Psychosocial factors

5. Why do we think hormones effect orientation?
Animals given other-sex hormones prenatally
Exhibit same-sex social and mating behavior
Adult hormone levels do not differ

6. Why do we think chromosomes effect orientation?
Identical twins
If one identical twin is gay = higher probability other twin will be gay
Identical
Fraternal
Adopted
Strong evidence of a genetic component to sexual orientation

7. Are there brain differences between gay and straight?
Simon LeVay
LeVay is a gay neurosurgeon
Believes homosexuality results from different brain structure
Differences in hypothalamus
Cause or effect?

8. What are the psychosocial factors?
Parenting patterns
Gays being seduced
Fear of other sex
Not a significant factor in cause

9. Do you remember? What is Kinsey’s continuum?
Why do we think hormones effect orientation?
Why do we think chromosomes (genetics) effect orientation?
Are there brain differences?
What are the psychosocial factors?

10. Are there definitive conclusions on origin of homosexuality?
No – There are no definitive conclusions.

11. Is the psychological adjustment of gays different than straights?
When comparing non-patient heterosexual and homosexual individuals:
No significant differences

12. Is homosexuality a mentally illness?
The American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders in 1973.
Therefore, no, it is not

13. What is the objective of counseling and therapy for homosexuals?
Helping homosexuals live satisfying lives in a straight society
Not trying to change them to heterosexual

14. Do gay conversion programs help?
Success of conversion is questionable
Even “successes” have homosexual feelings, become depressed, and have low self-esteem as a result of self-hatred.

15. Do you remember?
Are there definitive conclusions on the causes of homosexuality?
Is homosexuality a mental illness?
What is the objective of counseling & therapy for homosexuals?
Do gay conversion programs help?

16. Do children of gay and lesbian parents become homosexual?
No, they are likely to grow up heterosexual

17. Love relationships Talking about intimate feelings
Most important for both heterosexuals and homosexuals
Heterosexual couples were more likely to adhere more closely to traditional gender role expectations that homosexual couples.

18. How do gay and lesbian relationships differ?
Lesbians are more likely to have monogamous relationships
Gay men are more likely to have had more sexual partners
Gay men with primary partners are more likely to have sex with others than are lesbians with partners.

19. Do you remember?
Do children of gay and lesbian parents become homosexual?
What is the best way to build intimate feelings?
Are straight or gay couples more likely to follow traditional gender roles?
How do gay and lesbian relationships differ?