Homosexuality - Current scientific knowledge about homosexuality and common myths

Current scientific knowledge about homosexuality and common myths
By Juan Luis Alvarez-Gayou Jurgenson / Sexoterapeuta
This text is chapter 1 of the book Homosexuality: collapse of myths and fallacies.

Homosexuality, bisexuality, heterosexuality

The issue with sexological that masturbation was a cause of multiple writings and speculations is homosexuality. Undoubtedly, both behaviors have occurred for millennia since the existence of homo sapiens, yet, homosexuality has caused various attitudes through history in different social and cultural groups. In our Western culture of Judeo-Christian origin, the church has tried to suppress sexual expression to consider this sinful and deserving of punishment, legislators in some countries have tried as indictable offense, this is not the case of Mexico, but the police forces to repress and pursued for purposes of extortion and many practitioners of psychology and psychiatry have "tagged" as mental illness, trying to cure her. In reality none of these actions has decreased its prevalence, but instilled feelings of guilt, inadequacy and stigma in people who show this general preference.

An operational definition of homosexuality is to Marmor and Green (1978), who describe it as "a strong preferential attraction towards persons of the same sex." Another is that the author produced: "The biggest attraction preferential relationships and / or erotically with people's own gender.

Alfred Kinsey and his associates, after interviewing at 5,300 male and 5.940 female subjects, proposed the existence of women and men in a heterosexual-homosexual continuum in which all human beings are placed at some point. Expressed it in a chart with seven columns numbered from zero to six and a diagonal cross from one to five.

In this plot placed in column zero exclusively heterosexual individuals, and the six people exclusively homosexual.

In column one was tied to heterosexuals who had only incidental homosexual activity, in two heterosexuals as homosexual activity had been merely incidental and in column three persons whose sexual activity was heterosexual and homosexual alike known as bisexual or ambisexuales; in four homosexual as heterosexual activity was more than incidental, in the five to those who had heterosexual activity and incidental bycatch in column six, like the zero.

Regarding the prevalence of homosexuality, Kinsey et al (1948) found 4% of the subjects had been exclusively homosexual after puberty, 10% were predominantly homosexual for at least three years between ages 16 and 55 years and 37% had at least one activity aimed at gay orgasms after puberty. With respect to women, Kinsey found homosexuality only 50% compared to the male.

In 1972, Paul Gebhard Kinsey Institute reported in a study by the National Institute of Mental Health (National Institute of Mental Health) prevalence of homosexuality from 10 to 12% of the general population.

Recently other studies reported by Bailey (1997) from Northwestern University American concern in a survey that 4.5% of men and 5.6% of women were interested in the possibility of holding some erotic relationship with a person of the same gender. However, the NORC study found that only 1.4% of women and 2.8% of men self-identified as gay or bisexual.

It is clear the difficulty of achieving certainty in these surveys, in addition to that, as we will see there is great difficulty in unifying the defining criteria of what can be considered as homosexuality.

THEORIES ON THE ETIOLOGY OF HOMOSEXUALITY

Taking as its starting point the view, now superseded, which regards homosexuality as an illness, deviation or perversion, you notice that they have postulated various theories about its origin, which will be discussed below.

HORMONAL THEORY OF ORIGIN

Some animal studies have shown that administration of hormones or changes in their numbers can cause variations in adult sexual behavior, and according to some authors might well be made possible to extrapolate this situation to homosexual conduct.

Human studies have yielded noteworthy. In homosexual men, there were changes in the urinary excretion of hormone metabolites. Among other studies, changes in serum lipid concentration. For luteinizing hormone and estradiol, some authors have found higher in the groups of male homosexuals. Regarding plasma testosterone, found no difference between heterosexual and homosexual, but an increase in circulating gonadotropin homosexuals.

Margolese (1970 and 1971) published results concerning homosexuals who excreted less urinary testosterone, Kolodny and Masters (1972 and 1973) figures are lower circulating testosterone in young men who are exclusively homosexual, other studies, Birk and Friedman (1973), no demonstrate differences in circulating levels and others confirm them, and Stark et al. (1975).

In summary, the results are multiple, sometimes contradictory and inconclusive to date. This may, as they say Masters and Johnson (1979), in his study of homosexuality, to three primary causes: first, problems and limitations of different survey methodologies, secondly, the error of regarding homosexuality as a unitary phenomenon - just as heterosexuality is not uniform - and in a third, the impossibility of discovering more about homosexuality until we know more about the origins of heterosexuality, as is only known with accuracy in gastrointestinal pathophysiology far known to be normal physiology.

ANATOMICAL DIFFERENCES

In recent times researchers have found differences in anatomy, particularly in parts of the brain in gay men. Levay (1991) found that the central area of the brain called the hypothalamus in the Interstitial Nucleus Previous 3 was smaller in homosexual men (similar in size as it appears in women). LeVay's study generated much controversy to the point where he explained that his study was inconclusive because it was made in the brains of 19 homosexual men who had died of AIDS and it might be, LeVay said that besides a small number of subjects, illness, medications or lifestyle might have led to such changes in microscopic brain structure. Then Allen and Gorsky (1992) found differences in the size of the brain called the anterior commissure between homosexual and heterosexual men.

To date these anatomical differences, on one hand require further deepening and the other is still highly debatable whether these brain differences actually are directly correlated with specific aspects of behavior or situations even more so with regard to taste or preference generic subjects.

THEORY OF GENETIC ORIGIN.

Kallman in 1952 published an article in which I draw 100% concordance for homosexuality in a male monozygotic twin study. After Ranier and Col. (1960), Kolb (1963) and Davison and Col. (1971) reported a series of monozygotic twins discordant for homosexuality, which the report was overruled Kallman.

It has long been argued that there is no evidence to establish a genetic homosexual expressiveness beyond the genetic etiology of systemic genital responsiveness to various sexual stimuli. In this regard there are some in which individuals of both sexes, blindfolded and unable to recognize the sex of the examiner, showed the same response to stimuli of persons of the same sex or the other. In other words, human beings inherited the organs, biochemical substrates and hormone-mechanics neuro-physiological, but not the ability to respond preferentially to one or other stimuli.

However, in 1993, Hamer et al. Published a study conducted from a genetic perspective. Stated succinctly and without jargon, the authors found primarily in families of homosexual men had a greater number of relatives who were also homosexual on the side of the maternal line. This prompted the authors to find sets of brothers who both were gay, and make them study at the genetic characteristics of the X chromosome (which is what experts call a sex-linked heredity). The result of research in a number of gay brothers was that in 64% of cases found matching DNA markers that led him to postulate the probable existence of "a gene for male homosexuality," which is in the Xq28 region of chromosome X. However, although these studies are strongly indicative not absolute because they were not in 100% of cases.

Moreover Turner in 1995 published a study that analyzed a series of 133 families of homosexual men and women endorsed the same increased presence of homosexuality in relatives on the maternal side, in homosexual men but not in homosexual women. It also posits the possibility that the gene for homosexuality may be located in a pseudoautosomal region of chromosomes X and Y: Xq28 and Yq11.

It is an important date, and I would say very strong line of research increasingly points towards a genetic origin of this preference is generic. However it is important to appreciate that not having a genetic origin is a disease or condition in fact they are also genetic many human elements that reflect only the variability of the species such as the color of eyes, hair, skin or having straight hair, curly or Chinese.

Regarding the doubts and the percentages of genetic inconsistency in the work mentioned by Turner (1995) cites Richards and Sutherland, to say: "The properties of unstable hereditary elements come with their own rules. It becomes a major challenge molecular genetics to discover what these rules, and the circumstances under which these rules contribute to both diseases and to change "

Turner concludes by saying that the current challenge is to determine precisely how on sexual orientation and its intensity in Xq28 gene acts, how and why variations occur at different ages: and what are the mechanisms that give rise to homosexuality, both male and female from a common base. "

Psychosocial theory.

Freud in his psychoanalytic theory considered an innate bisexuality which explains the latent tendencies toward homosexuality which can be activated under certain pathological conditions. Other theories of psychoanalysis reject innate bisexuality, and point to different experiences of childhood and adolescence as causes of homosexual behavior. So, Bieber (1962) describes a pattern in homosexual father, which consists of a possessive mother, over-indulgent and domineering father and a hostile, ambivalent, distant, Bene (1965) indicates a pattern of improper relationship with a weak father. Furthermore, Greenblat (1966) finds that gay parents are generous, "good" bit dominant and protective. The reality is that when these issues have been discussed for the etiology of homosexuality, found all kinds of families (parents), socio-cultural levels and environments.

Another important element is that almost all studies attempting to demonstrate the psychological origin of homosexuality has been made in populations of homosexuals who were patients of psychoanalysts, psychiatrists or institutions which inevitably skew or invalidate the sample. Fortunately of late were conducted in general populations to be discussed later.

Currently prevailing approach Marmor (1978), pointing out that homosexuality is "multidetermined psychodynamic factors, sociocultural, biological and situational. The study by Bell (1981), most recently through the complex and careful analysis of a sample of homosexuals, states that there is no chance to explain the preference sociofamilial homosexual.

It should complete the analysis of efforts to determine the etiology of homosexuality Kolodny quoting: "The search for the cause of homosexuality remains hampered by methodological difficulties and inconsistencies in the homosexual population. They will be useless efforts to determine the origins of homosexual behavior to the development of a reliable taxonomy of sexual behavior in general.

This situation caused that in 1973 the American Psychiatric Association (American Psychiatric Association) removed homosexuality from its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (1980) (Manual of Diagnosis and Classification of Mental Disorders or DSM) and adds a category of disorders to include sexual orientation there who created their sexual orientation conflicts, like other behavioral expressions of sexuality will be discussed later.
Has been deleted homosexuality as a disorder or psychiatric diagnoses, in countries like England, Sweden and Denmark.

Studies on sexual behavior in gay men

In the 1940s Alfred Kinsey did his landmark study on sexual behavior of men and sex between men and women, which included more than 15 thousand subjects. Nearly thirty years later, there are two studies really enlightening on, homosexual conduct, made by Allan Bell of the Kinsey Institute (1978/1981) and another by Karla Jay (1979).

Bell's study surveyed around a thousand subjects and among some outstanding results that are worth mentioning.

In terms of intensity or frequency of sexual activity, found that in decreasing order is higher in black homosexual than in whites, higher in homosexuals than in lesbians and young than in older patients.

The idea persists that there are more "promiscuous" homosexual. This Bell notes that there is a tendency for homosexuals to maintain relations with various partners, but not lesbians, who lean more toward the "fidelity". The aim to which promote both gays and lesbians, is a loving, stable and durable. In fact it is a reality that both gay men and lesbians, from childhood were raised as male or female, respectively, and we know that, from a gender perspective, education for men is more socially permissive and allows them to have more and instead couples the woman is more educated as to the fidelity and exclusivity.

A large percentage of respondents report that the main problem in their love relationships is the difficulty of finding (a) compañero (a) adequate (a), and the same willingness to accept the open relationship exists in more male than female homosexuals. It should be noted that these results are consistent with those obtained in any study of heterosexual behavior. In addition Bell reports that it is more difficult to accept men than women their homosexuality, and have also married heterosexual 25% of gay men and 33% of women, the latter figure coincides with the preliminary results of the study on homosexuality, made in Mexico City by Alvarez - Gayou (1978) and collaborators.

In the area of interpersonal relations are no data to say gays and lesbians have greater ability to establish friendly and affectionate relations closer than comparable groups of heterosexual and heterosexual befriend and rejected by them.

In the labor area this study finds that have the same stability in their jobs than heterosexuals, excluding those that Bell describes as dysfunctional and asexual (they are a minority): "adult homosexuals who accept their situation without feeling guilty and that work well in the social and sexual problems are more women and heterosexual men. "

Karla Jay (1979) studied 962 lesbians and gay men and 4.329 found interesting data.

Regarding the attitude of lesbians in relation to children, 19% had children, wanted and accepted, like many heterosexual mothers, 54% had a positive attitude towards children, in contrast to 4% who expressed a negative attitude .

With respect to the dominant pattern of sexual promiscuity, this research found that 62% of lesbians and 15% of homosexuals have had between 1 and 10 sexual partners, between 11 and 15 sexual partners 24% of lesbians and 17% of homosexuals, 20% of them had between 26 and 50 companions. In summary, 86% of lesbians have had less than 25 partners and 52% of homosexuals less than 50 colleagues, the data are comparable to any group of young unmarried heterosexual in our society.

Another prevailing myth is that gay prostitution. In this regard, Jay study reveals that 98% of lesbians and 76% of homosexuals have never paid for sex, only once, 9 and 2% of gays and lesbians, respectively. Instead they have received payment after 10% of them and 5% of them, and 91% of lesbians and 76% of homosexuals, never. These figures are smaller than those found in a heterosexual population.

Some 45% of women and 46% of men were in favor of a stable and lasting relationship comparable to marriage, and against 28 and 21% respectively.

In this study E.U.A. the prevalence of anorgasmia between lesbians and heterosexual women was 7%. It will be recalled that in France and Japan is between 4 and 20% respectively.

Another common belief is that couples or encounters, homosexual behavior occurs passively or actively, "male or female. These papers never set in 59% of lesbians and 42% of homosexuals in the survey conducted in Mexico, appears to be a direct correlation between the establishment of these roles and schooling and lower socioeconomic status.

Finally, it is important to distinguish between homosexuality and two states that are commonly confused with it: the cross-dressing and transsexualism.

The cross-dressing is the pleasure you get not only erotic-sexual-type wearing clothes, accessories, language and mannerisms of the opposite sex regarded as a society and at certain times. This situation is a fact that is not in the majority of homosexuals, in fact the level of myth and many people think that homosexual man or woman wants to be the other sex, which was entirely false. What if it's consistent is that most people do have a preference transvestites homosexual, but even here there are also heterosexual transvestites.

The cross-dressing does not imply a necessary way homosexuality and vice versa.

Transsexualism is the psychological belief-gender identification that does not correspond to the genotype and phenotype without genetic or hormonal. This is called today, "inconsistency of the sex-gender identity" and not related to homosexuality. Transsexual people are those who feel "trapped" in a body that is not theirs and for them is a conviction and the need to change your body by hormonal and surgical means to match their psychological conviction. In fact have been reported cases of transsexuals who converted after treatment in women with hormonal and surgical chose lesbianism.

Today it is estimated that transsexualism has a prevalence of 1 per 100,000 in men and 1 per 130,000 in women.

In summary we consider that every day, both from a historical, psychological, social and homosexuality, both male and female is not nothing but a clear illustration of the enormous variability we Human Beings.


REFERENCES
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