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Common misconceptions about homosexuality
N.E.Whitehead, Ph.D
The answers to these points are brief but they are backed up by hard research findings. People wanting further validation should download the book My Genes Made Me Do It - a scientific look at sexual orientation.
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1. Gays are 10% of the population  
No academic would agree. Numerous surveys in many countries show that (including bisexuals) gays are 2-3% of the population and lesbians are 1-2%.
2. Gay relationships are as stable and long-lasting as those of heterosexuals
Gay relationships last about 2.5 years for both gays and lesbians, whereas even in the divorce-prone US a heterosexual couple has nearly an even chance of reaching their silver wedding anniversary (25y).
3. Gays are extremely promiscuous
Both gays and lesbians have 3-4 times as many partners as heterosexuals (comparison of medians).
4. Gays and lesbians are psychologically on par with heterosexuals
A good rule of thumb is they have 3 times as many problems. All are prone to suicide attempts. Otherwise problems are mostly depression and other mood disorders for men and substance abuse problems for women, though there are many others.
5. Gay psychological problems are a result of society's discrimination and rejection
Very little evidence has been found for this. Whether in tolerant and accepting environments or in intolerant ones, the incidence and type of psychological problems remain about the same.
6. Gays are born that way
From four studies (2000-2008): if an identical twin has same-sex attraction the chances that the co-twin has it too, are only about 11% for men and 14% for women. This means that factors the twins have in common, such as genes and upbringing are mostly not responsible – individual and idiosyncratic responses to random events and to common environmental factors predominate.
7. Gays say that they have been this way ever since they can remember
The mean age of first same-sex attraction is 10 and two thirds of the ages of first attraction are in the range 6-14 years. It is therefore highly atypical that same sex attraction is an earliest memory. What is probably being remembered are early longings to feel part of their gender group, and feelings of insecurity and difference.
8. Gays choose this lifestyle
There can be little informed, responsible choice involved if first attraction is about age 10. At that age no-one chooses lifetime sexual orientation or lifestyle in any usual sense. SSA is discovered to exist in oneself rather than chosen.
9. Nobody knows how same sex attraction develops
Some SSA people do, being able to trace it to early experiences of sexual abuse, reactions to breakdowns in family relationships, exclusion from same sex peer groups, porn. Others are not used to thinking about predisposing circumstances and have no idea how their homosexual orientation developed – just as most heterosexuals have no idea how they became heterosexual. There are many paths, each relatively minor in the overall picture, but very important to those individuals whom they affect.
10. Homosexual orientation cannot be changed
About half of the homosexual/bisexual population spontaneously (in a non-therapeutic environment) move towards heterosexuality over a lifetime. About 3% of the present heterosexual population once firmly believed themselves to be homosexual or bisexual. Sexual orientation is not set in concrete.
11. Anyone saying change is possible belongs to the extreme religious right
Neutral academic surveys show there is an extraordinary amount of spontaneous change. Members of the extreme religious right are more likely to condemn gays for their orientation than suggest they can change.
12. Therapy producing change in sexual orientation is damaging
Three published surveys and a PhD thesis sought experiences of people with SSA who experienced changes in therapy which were satisfactory to them. One survey sought the views of those who had found therapy damaging. Accurate relative percentages of helped and hurt in these therapies are not known.
13. Private sexual acts do not affect society
Private sexual acts leading to procreation are the foundation of society. Male gay sex is medically risky and has an impact on insurance and health systems therefore ultimately affecting everyone’s pocket. Surveys put the number of practising gay/bisexual men who are married at about 15%, putting wives at risk.
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