Sin, sickness, or status? Homosexual gender identity and psychoneuroendocrinology

Scrutinizing Immutability: Research on Sexual Orientation and U.S. Legal Advocacy for Sexual Minorities

We review scientific research and legal authorities to argue that the immutability of sexual orientation should no longer be invoked as a foundation for the rights of individuals with same-sex attractions and relationships (i.e., sexual minorities). On the basis of scientific research as well as U.S. legal rulings regarding lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) rights, we make three claims: First, arguments based on the immutability of sexual orientation are unscientific, given what we now know from longitudinal, population-based studies of naturally occurring changes in the same-sex attractions of some individuals over time. Second, arguments based on the immutability of sexual orientation are unnecessary, in light of U.S. legal decisions in which courts have used grounds other than immutability to protect the rights of sexual minorities. Third, arguments about the immutability of sexual orientation are unjust, because they imply that same-sex attractions are inferior to other-sex attractions, and because they privilege sexual minorities who experience their sexuality as fixed over those who experience their sexuality as fluid. We conclude that the legal rights of individuals with same-sex attractions and relationships should not be framed as if they depend on a certain pattern of scientific findings regarding sexual orientation.

Correlates of early overt and covert sexual behaviors in heterosexual women

We used data provided by 417 Kinsey-0 and Kinsey-1 heterosexual women using an anonymous computerized survey to determine the adult correlates of two female-female behaviors that occurred before age 18; 25.4% of participants reported engaging in one or both behaviors. Sexual experimentation with females and masturbating using images of females before age 18 were statistically significant predictors of four different female-female behaviors in adulthood: sexual contact with females, masturbating using images of females, preferring a female fantasy partner while having sex with a favorite (male) partner, and voyeurism directed at females; 27.3% of the participants reported engaging in one or more of the latter four behaviors. The analogous early female-male behaviors were not statistically significant predictors of female-female behaviors in adults. Conditioning resulting from participation in these early female-female behaviors might explain the correlations between the two early behaviors and the subsequent four adult same-gender behaviors. The earliest and latest ages that participants engaged in each early behavior and case-by-case analysis showed that the sequence of events leading to the female-female adult behaviors was initial sexual experimentation with similar age females (at a median age of 9 years) followed by masturbating using images of females (at a median age of 15). These results suggest that conditioning and other forms of learning play an important role in establishing coexisting same-gender orientations in heterosexual women.

Gay-male couples who adopt: challenging historical and contemporary social trends toward becoming a family

TOPIC

Gay-male couples who adopt children face ongoing challenges that stem from both historical and contemporary social issues.

PURPOSE

To examine and identify key points and guidance for advanced practice psychiatric mental health nurses regarding multicultural awareness involved in counseling gay-male couples who explore or exercise their right to adopt and raise children.

SOURCES

A comprehensive review of the extant scientific literature and public media, clinical anecdotes, therapeutic experiences, and an examination of Healthy People 2010 as it relates to how community health is profoundly affected by the collective beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors of everyone who lives in the community.

CONCLUSIONS

Heterosexism, homophobic fears, oppression, and the general stigma that surround gay-male couples who choose to adopt children are a few of the relevant contemporary issues and community beliefs for which advanced practice psychiatric mental health nurses need to assess, explore, and intervene.

Sex differences in the flexibility of sexual orientation: a multidimensional retrospective assessment

The flexibility of sexual orientation in men and women was examined by assessing self-reported change over time for three dimensions of sexual orientation (sexual fantasy, romantic attraction, and sexual behavior) across three categorical classifications of current sexual orientation (heterosexual, bisexual, and gay). The primary purpose of the study was to determine if there were sex differences in the flexibility (i.e., change over time) of sexual orientation and how such differences were manifested across different dimensions of orientation over the lifespan. Retrospective, life-long ratings of sexual orientation were made by 762 currently self-identified heterosexual, bisexual, and gay men and women, aged 36 to 60, via a self-report questionnaire. Cumulative change scores were derived for each of the three dimensions (fantasy, romantic attraction, and sexual behavior) of orientation by summing the differences between ratings over consecutive 5-year historical time periods (from age 16 to the present). Sex differences were observed for most, but not all, classification groups. There were significant sex differences in reported change in orientation over time for gays and heterosexuals, with women reporting greater change in orientation over time than did men. Bisexual men and women did not differ with respect to self-reported change in orientation.

Sexual orientations in perspective

This article presents a new paradigm for understanding the complexity of human sexual, affectional, and erotic attractions--commonly known as sexual orientation. This new paradigm recognizes that there is great diversity among sexual orientations, erotic and emotional attractions, behaviors, and identities and that there are complex interrelations among these dimensions. Sexual orientation is determined by multiple influences, including a wide range of sociocultural factors. The development of sexual orientation is arrived at through multiple pathways. Individuals with the same sexual orientation may have little else in common. Thus, a model of sexual orientation is presented that is based on multiplicity, not sameness, and that examines the overlapping identities and statuses of culture, gender, age, race, ethnicity, class, disability, and sexuality.

Neuroendocrine responses to exogenous estrogen: no differences between heterosexual and homosexual men

Plasma LH concentrations were determined in 55 men before and for four days following injection of 10 mg, 20 mg, or 30 mg Premarin or a placebo injection of vehicle. Testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) concentrations were also determined in plasma samples taken just prior to Premarin or placebo injection and in samples taken three days later. All subjects provided self-descriptions of their sexual orientation and, based upon these descriptions, were classified as heterosexual (N = 39) or homosexual (N = 16). Premarin injection resulted in a reliable reduction in plasma LH 24 hr later. In subsequent samples, LH values rose and in many cases exceeded baseline levels, most reliably in those subjects receiving the 10 mg dose. Contrary to some previous reports, we observed no significant differences between heterosexual and homosexual subjects in the likelihood of their exhibiting elevated LH concentrations following exogenous estrogens. T, but not DHT, concentrations were suppressed after Premarin injection in both groups of subjects. Other than Premarin dosage, we could not identify any variable which predicted the likelihood of elevated LH values.