Science and Homosexuality

In the last few weeks, an interesting research paper was released on the biological differences between homosexual and heterosexual men. The research from Sweden claims that chemicals called pheromones - chemicals that send sexual messages as often undetectable odors to individuals of the same species - are more like a woman's in a gay guy, than a straight guy.

This latest research confirms previous scientific reports that homosexuality is actually a natural rather than an "acquired" trait in humanity. One is not gay because one chooses to be one, but rather is born with it. If "it" is a correct term.

The interesting thing about this latest research is the potential consequences it can have, especially if future research continues to confirm these findings. From our [gay community] perspective, it confirms what we have always believed - that we are born this way, and that no amount of medical or psychological "altering" can make us straight.

As more and more research is done, I can see in the future, products being launched to specifically cater for the gay man and our "sexual" orientation which are scientifically proven to work. Products such as after shave products which will have chemicals in them aimed at "attracting that elusive guy". Commercialism of this won't be too far off in the future.

However like everything, there is the other side, the negative one.

As more and more research is conducted on homosexuality and its biological origins, the homophobic sections in our community will try to find ways to use science to identify one's sexual orientation or aim at "removing" the homosexual trait completely.

In nations where homosexuality is illegal [e.g. Saudi Arabia, Pakistan etc], the confirmation that homosexuality is biological and identifiable via medical means can lead to mass discrimination and human rights abuse. Even those of us that live in a gay-tolerant society, traveling to these countries will, in the future, be one of risk. Further, within our own countries, anti-gay crusaders, religious zealots, homophobic employers and con-artists will come up with various "medically proven" means of identifying who is gay or not.

And this is where this and previous research papers provide us with a double-edged sword. By confirming that homosexuality is a normal biological human "trait", how do we ensure that we are protected as scientific research into homosexuality advances without allowing the bigots of this world trying to undermine our basic human rights? How far should science go to prove that homosexuality is not an acquired characteristic? And if it is discovered that science can alter these "traits", what legal protections should be put in place to ensure that "human altering" is not used to remove the "gay gene"?

We are in for interesting times ahead.

James