Are people born gay?

Guybrush · 06-27-2012, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Batlord

Do we actually know that this is the reason, or are we just guessing that that's the reason? Makes sense, but I've never really been that into primates so I don't know one way or the other.

Yes, pretty much. There are many studies and publications on bonobo sexual behaviour. Here's the abstract of one such small study :

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tension regulation and nonreproductive functions of sex in captive bonobos

The bonobo, or pygmy chimpanzee exhibits a wide variety of sexual and erotic behaviors. In a quantitative study of 10 captive members of the species living at the San Diego Zoo USA, the role of sexual and affiliative behaviors in the regulation of social tensions was investigated. These behaviours occur at moments of increased competition, such as at feeding time, and after aggressive incidents in the colony. The exception was grooming, which was suppressed at moments of acute tension. The patterns of sexual reconciliation and reassurance are contrasted with the behavior of the bonobo's closest relative, the chimpanzee, which virtually lacks this function of sexual behavior.

Source : Tension regulation and nonreproductive functions of sex in captive bonobos | Mendeley

You'll see it says sexual reconciliation and reassurance and a mention that regular chimps do not have such sexual function. I believe humans to be closer to bonobos in these aspects of behaviour. Societal violence is an interesting comparison. Chimpanzee societies are many, many times more violent in general than bonobo and human societies which have similar levels of societal violence. Like bonobos, we've evolved behaviours that help us avoid conflicts with eachother.

~~Sansa Stark~~ · 06-27-2012, 02:30 PM

I like cock

Other people who like cock, male or female are cool w/ me

anticipation · 06-27-2012, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Batlord

Well sure, but that's not really a pear reviewed scientific study now is it?

?

Burning Down · 06-27-2012, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hermione

I like cock

Other people who like cock, male or female are cool w/ me

I feel the same way!

Quote:

Originally Posted by anticipation

?

That's the first thing I thought of when I saw that typo

Rjinn · 06-27-2012, 06:53 PM

Actually I really agree that it is mostly circumstance. I think deep down we are all bisexual as sexuality is very fluent. A lot of it does come from sexual relief. Either way, a lot of people will go to one or another rather then being sexually repressed. One example you could use is jail. The incessant situation of same sex interaction usually results with a lot of inmates having sexual relationships between each other, rather than it being a preference. Since there is no other option.

littleknowitall · 07-10-2012, 07:19 PM

My brothers Gay. I can't really remember there ever being any incident in our childhood of sexual abuse or anything like that and If it's a cry for attention then I'm pretty sure there are more comfortable ways of getting people to notice you that getting various men to repeatedly violate your back door so I'd probably be right in concluding that this is something that he was born with.
Which is going to be a disappointment for my grandfather who is still hoping that it's a reversible ailment and there can be some sort of treatment options that he might want to undergo....

I don't really think I agree with the whole 'we're all bisexual' statement. I can understand where it derives from. Looking at the sex lives of the Ancient Romans or Greeks and it being far more culturally practiced to sleep with both genders but as far as I'm concerned I like women. That's pretty much all there is to it...

**Janszoon** · 07-10-2012, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littleknowitall

My brothers Gay. I can't really remember there ever being any incident in our childhood of sexual abuse or anything like that and If it's a cry for attention then I'm pretty sure there are more comfortable ways of getting people to notice you that getting various men to repeatedly violate your back door so I'd probably be right in concluding that this is something that he was born with.
Which is going to be a disappointment for my grandfather who is still hoping that it's a reversible ailment and there can be some sort of treatment options that he might want to undergo....

I don't really think I agree with the whole 'we're all bisexual' statement. I can understand where it derives from. Looking at the sex lives of the Ancient Romans or Greeks and it being far more culturally practiced to sleep with both genders but as far as I'm concerned I like women. That's pretty much all there is to it...

I don't think it's so much "we're all bisexual" as it is that we all exist along a spectrum of sexual attraction with very few people at either extreme.

Engine · 07-10-2012, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

I don't think it's so much "we're all bisexual" as it is that we all exist along a spectrum of sexual attraction with very few people at either extreme.

I sort of agree with your spectrum theory but I think it's flawed. If it exists then your spectral curve seems more linear than you imply.
If you aren't homosexual at all does that mean that you're on an extreme end of the spectrum? I'm male, well into adulthood, and I've never been sexually attracted to any male so can I boast being one of the "very few extremely heterosexual" people in the world or would you say I more likely just haven't met the right guy?

**Janszoon** · 07-10-2012, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Engine

I sort of agree with your spectrum theory but I think it's flawed. If it exists then your spectral curve seems more linear than you imply.
If you aren't homosexual at all does that mean that you're on an extreme end of the spectrum? I'm male, well into adulthood, and I've never been sexually attracted to any male so can I boast being one of the "very few extremely heterosexual" people in the world or would you say I more likely just haven't met the right guy?

I have no idea. I think the spectrum should probably come with a disclaimer of "all things being equal" because I do think there are other factors at work besides what you're born with.

Engine · 07-10-2012, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

I have no idea. I think the spectrum should probably come with a disclaimer of "all things being equal" because I do think there are other factors at work besides what you're born with.

But if you're referring to various environmental, natural, and cultural factors as the "other factors at work" then you're admitting that all things can't be equal. So your spectrum can't apply to equal people or equal circumstances because those don't exist.

View Poll Results: What do you think?
Yes	9,999,999,999	100.00%
No	1	0.00%
Other	4	0.00%
Voters: 10000000004. You may not vote on this poll

06-27-2012, 06:53 PM	#115 (permalink)
Rjinn The Aerosol in your Soul Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: New South Wales, Australia Posts: 1,546	Actually I really agree that it is mostly circumstance. I think deep down we are all bisexual as sexuality is very fluent. A lot of it does come from sexual relief. Either way, a lot of people will go to one or another rather then being sexually repressed. One example you could use is jail. The incessant situation of same sex interaction usually results with a lot of inmates having sexual relationships between each other, rather than it being a preference. Since there is no other option. __________________ last.fm

06-27-2012, 02:30 PM	#112 (permalink)
~~Sansa Stark~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The Eyrie, Vale of Arryn, Westeros Posts: 3,234	I like cock Other people who like cock, male or female are cool w/ me

07-10-2012, 07:19 PM	#116 (permalink)
littleknowitall Pow! Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,671	My brothers Gay. I can't really remember there ever being any incident in our childhood of sexual abuse or anything like that and If it's a cry for attention then I'm pretty sure there are more comfortable ways of getting people to notice you that getting various men to repeatedly violate your back door so I'd probably be right in concluding that this is something that he was born with. Which is going to be a disappointment for my grandfather who is still hoping that it's a reversible ailment and there can be some sort of treatment options that he might want to undergo.... I don't really think I agree with the whole 'we're all bisexual' statement. I can understand where it derives from. Looking at the sex lives of the Ancient Romans or Greeks and it being far more culturally practiced to sleep with both genders but as far as I'm concerned I like women. That's pretty much all there is to it...