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The debate over the causes of homosexuality, like the debates of the causes of other forms of behavior may never be resolved. Why I do what I do, and whether or not I could do differently are at their basis philosophical or theological issues, seldom subject to scientific analysis. Human beings are complex; we cannot put them in test tubes and experiment with them in ways that will prove our theories.

Still, due to constant repetition by those who desperately want to believe that there is a genetic cause for homosexuality, many believe that the proof of genetic causes is already in and is widely accepted in the scientific community. This is absolutely false. Every year new studies come forth that purport to show a pre-natal cause for homosexuality. In recent years we have had the hypothalamus study (LeVay), the twin study (Bailey and Pillard) and the chromosome study (Hamer-NIH). Each of these widely publicized studies, and those that have gone before them, have made a one-time splash in the media. None of them has been replicated by subsequent research. Interestingly each of these studies has been conducted by a gay researcher. The sexual orientation of the researcher certainly does not invalidate the study, but the question arises: Why have the 97% of the scientists who are heterosexual never replicated one of these studies. Furthermore, most of these studies have been shown to be seriously flawed, and in the case of the twin study, a later English study came up with very different results.2

Quite likely, homosexuality comes about from a number of causes. Inborn characteristics, choices we make,* and developmental issues all may contribute. The destructive myth, however, is that we have proven that homosexuality is written into our genetic code and therefore is unchangeable. That brings us to our next myth.

A study published in Pediatrics magazine in 1992 3 revealed that 26% of children aged 12 are uncertain of their sexuality. This figure declines to 5% by age 17, with an average unsure for all age groups of 10.7%. As gay and lesbian persons make up less than 3% of our population, the great majority of these children - barring specific contrary influences - will turn our to be heterosexual in their orientation. At an early age, our sexuality is quite fluid.

Despite that 1973 deletion of homosexuality as a disorder in the American Psychiatric Association's DSM III, many professional therapists continue to treat homosexually oriented people who want to change and find excellent results. Masters & Johnson reported a 71.6% success rate after a 6-year follow up. Mayerson & Lief experienced a 47% success rate with a follow-up of 4 years. Gerard van

* No knowledgeable person claims that an individual consciously and intentionally chooses to be homosexual. However, in retrospect many of us have seen how choices we made in how we would respond to the world around us have contributed to the development of our homosexuality.

Gerard van den Aardveg found that among 101 clients, 65% experienced either a “radical” or “satisfactory” change.⁴ In over 150 Christian ministries like Regeneration around the world thousands of men and women who are unhappy with their homosexuality are experiencing major changes in their behavior, in their identity and in their sexual attractions. Any honest and serious consideration of homo­sexuality would involve a serious investigation into the claims of these groups. Sadly, such investi­gations are seldom made, particularly by the people in the church who are already predisposed to accept homosexuality.

The Myth of New Understanding and Knowledge

Those who advocate the acceptance of homosexuality often speak vaguely of new information, or a new understanding that should cause us to re-think our attitudes toward homosexuality. I chal­lenge them to explain to us what this new understanding is. Except for the concept of the “constitutionally homosexual person” — for which there is absolutely no proof, I have never heard what this new understanding or knowledge is. Have you?

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