Some people who study human sexuality believe that sexuality is a result of genetics or social and individual factors. A common misunderstanding is that troubled family relationships cause people to be homosexual, but no scientific research supports that...

The tendency towards a particular sexual orientation is genetically predetermined at conception. An unknown environmental factor may or may not trigger the "gay" gene(s) and determines the person's orientation...

Kinsey scale: Seven category sexual behavior rating scale to classify individuals based on their behavior Range of numbers from 0 to 6, 0 - exclusively heterosexual behavior, 6 – exclusively homosexual behavior, 1 to 5 – ranges of some behavior between each pole Theories on sexual orientation: Appears to be largely determined prior to adolescence Same-gender attractions are typically experienced for about three years prior to any overt same-gender sexual behavior/Lesbians and gay men tend to have a history of unsatisfying heterosexual experiences during childhood and adolescence/Identification with a parent of either gender appears to play no significant role in development of sexual orientation/There is no support for the hypothesis that any particular type of mother produces children with a same-gender orientation Forming a sexual orientation: Identification and awareness of one’s sexual needs/Adoption of personal values relating to sexual behavior and sexuality in general/Awareness of which sexual activities are preferred/Awareness of the specific characteristics that are preferred in sexual partners/Awareness of preferred modes of sexual expression/Recognition of one’s sexual orientation and personal identification with that orientation/Some may go through a period of bisexuality when they are in transition to same-gender sexual behavior and identity/Conflict model/Having confusion, conflict, and ambivalence/Flexibility model/Having personal growth, a wider range of possibilities for fulfillment, and flexibility in personal lifestyle (Rust, 2003) Homophobia, heterosexism, anti-gay prejudice: Murder of Matthew Sheppard in 1998 focused attention on dangers of homophobia/Boy Scouts of America exclude gay members and leaders/Businesses have learned to market products to the gay population/Businesses conduct workshops in an effort to reduce homophobic attitudes in the workplace Gay rights movement: Marriage and Legalized Same-Gender Partnerships/May enter into a heterosexual marriage for several reasons/Legalized partnerships/Civil unions/Defense of Marriage Act Legal rights:

These factors above reaffirm the fact that homosexuals do not differ much with heterosexuals with regards to daily life. Finally, children raised by homosexual couples are virtually identical to those raised by heterosexuals...