The AMA on the Origins of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

[Shana A]

Friday, 18 February 2011
The AMA on the Origins of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Zoe Brain

http://aebrain.blogspot.com/2011/02/ama-on-origins-of-sexual-orientation.html

There are some blatant contradictions which Dr Kate O'Hanlan struggles with - but that's really the fault of the constraining binary language; homosexual or heterosexual. In fact, Biology doesn't conform to a strict binary, and the edges blur between those two extremes. Someone in the minority near the divide can be "pushed over" one way or the other - usually towards behaviourally exclusive heterosexuality (regardless of feelings) due to societal pressure, but being abused as a child, or less commonly as an adult, can cause a push the other way. When the trauma is particularly strong, such as rape trauma resulting in a pathological fear of men, or extreme religious pressure to "resist their inner demons", they can become fanatics. The extreme Right-Wing Religious Homophobic politician who's caught with his pants down is now so common it's a cliche.

[japple]

Wow.  I'm 15 minutes into it and she's presenting a lot of things I didn't know were fact as fact.

She's brought up the 2d 4d finger ratio quite a few times.

Can we just look at fingers and have insurance pay for SRS yet?

[FairyGirl]

hmmm... just to comment on Ms. Brain's commentary- I don't think it was trauma that caused me to realize by the age of 4 that I was born into the wrong body. It was more after I began trying to express that fact that the trauma occurred. Then again I might very well be misinterpreting her entirely lol

In any case, a very interesting presentation by Dr. O'Hanlan, which reinforces both what we know from our own experience and the many similarities we observe from others posts here.

My mama told me when I was young
We are all born superstars
She rolled my hair and put my lipstick on
In the glass of her boudoir

"There's nothin' wrong with lovin' who you are"
She said, "'Cause He made you perfect, babe"
"So hold your head up, girl and you you'll go far,
Listen to me when I say"

I'm beautiful in my way,
'Cause God makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way.

[japple]

hmmm... just to comment on Ms. Brain's commentary- I don't think it was trauma that caused me to realize by the age of 4 that I was born into the wrong body.

Dr. O'Hanlan was saying that trauma can cause these feelings but that it's very rare.  It's am important thing to note though, as politicians and fanatics try to use the exception to prove the rule.   There ARE going to be gay men who become "ex-gay" with religion.  There are going to be trans people with regret. 

She's going for a lot of truth in that presentation.  I loved it.   A nice mix of science and politic.