Gay, Straight, and the Reason Why: The Science of Sexual OrientationWhat causes a child to grow up gay or straight? In this book, neuroscientist Simon LeVay summarizes a wealth of scientific evidence that points to one inescapable conclusion: Sexual orientation results primarily from an interaction between genes, sex hormones, and the cells of the developing body and brain. LeVay helped create this field in 1991 with a much-publicized study in Science, where he reported on a difference in the brain structure between gay and straight men. Since then, an entire scientific discipline has sprung up around the quest for a biological explanation of sexual orientation. In this book, LeVay provides a clear explanation of where the science stands today, taking the reader on a whirlwind tour of laboratories that specialize in genetics, endocrinology, neuroscience, cognitive psychology, evolutionary psychology, and family demographics. He describes, for instance, how researchers have manipulated the sex hormone levels of animals during development, causing them to mate preferentially with animals of their own gender. LeVay also reports on the prevalence of homosexual behavior among wild animals, ranging from Graylag geese to the Bonobo chimpanzee. Although many details remain unresolved, the general conclusion is quite clear: A person's sexual orientation arises in large part from biological processes that are already underway before birth. LeVay also makes it clear that these lines of research have a lot of potential because--far from seeking to discover "what went wrong" in the lives of gay people, attempting to develop "cures" for homosexuality, or returning to traditional explanations that center on parent-child relationships, various forms of "training," or early sexual experiences--our modern scientists are increasingly seeing sexual variety as something to be valued, celebrated, and welcomed into society. |
Contents
What Is Sexual Orientation? | 1 |
Why We Need Biology | 27 |
The Outline of a Theory | 45 |
Childhood | 73 |
Characteristics of Gay and Straight Adults | 97 |
The Role of Sex Hormones | 129 |
The Role of Genes | 157 |
The Brain | 191 |
The OlderBrother Effect | 247 |
Conclusions | 271 |
Glossary | 297 |
Notes | 309 |
Bibliography | 331 |
393 | |
397 | |
The Body | 221 |
Other editions - View all
Gay, Straight, and the Reason Why: The Science of Sexual Orientation Simon LeVay Limited preview - 2010 |
Gay, Straight, and the Reason Why: The Science of Sexual Orientation Simon LeVay No preview available - 2010 |
Gay, Straight, and the Reason Why: The Science of Sexual Orientation Simon LeVay No preview available - 2012 |
Common terms and phrases
activity actually adult androgen animals associated average Bailey become behavior biological birth bisexual Blanchard body Bogaert boys brain called cause cells Chapter characteristics childhood chromosome compared consistent cultures described differences direction discussed early effect et al evidence example exist experience fact factors feminine fetuses Figure findings functional gay and straight gay men gendered traits genes genetic girls heterosexual homosexuality hormones human hypothalamus idea increased individuals influence interest involved kind later least lesbians less male and female masculine meaning measured mental mentioned mother neurons observations older brothers pairs person play possible preference prenatal present Rahman ratio rats reason regions relationship relatives reported reproductive researchers response role same-sex sex difference sex hormones sexual attraction sexual orientation shifted significant similar social specific straight men straight women subjects suggest testosterone levels theory tion twin University usually