Causes of homosexuality and other sexual orientations

Public opinion polls.

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What does the public believe about the origins of homosexuality?

The Gallop poll periodically asks a statistically significant sampling of the American public whether homosexuality is caused by nature or nurture. That is, whether it is:

• a biological trait with which people are born, or
• due to other factors, such as upbringing or environment., or
• some combination of factors. ₁

The correct question has already been determined, at least for males, by pedigree studies and by studies of the sexual orientation of identical twins, as described elsewhere. It appears that the tendency towards homosexuality is determined genetically. But that this tendency may or may not be triggered during childhood into inducing a homosexual orientation later in life.  Thus, for males, the answer which agrees with medical research is: both a biological trait and environmental triggering factor. The gap between science and public opinion appears to be stable. The percentage of people who gave the "both" answer has varied between 6 and 14% over the period 1977 to 2006.

Asking the public about the causes of sexual orientation is like inquiring their belief whether the universe was created or evolved. The answer only tells us of people's beliefs; it has no impact on the actual causes of homosexuality.

Margin of error is generally ± 3 to 5%.

Additional polls on homosexuality are elsewhere on this site.

References:

1. "Polls and surveys on 'born gay'," Born Gay ProCon, at: http://www.borngayprocon.org/

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Copyright © 1997 to 2007 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Latest update: 2008-AUG-17
Author: B.A. Robinson

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