Sunday, January 31, 2010
A gay gene?
Since I was about two years old, I’ve participated in the UMN Twin Study with my fraternal twin sister, Anna. We are very different individuals–I am much more outgoing and sporadic; Anna is quiet and methodical. The differences that existed in our childhood have become all the more pronounced as we’ve grown, most interestingly to the researchers (and to me) is the fact that I have come to identify as gay and Anna identifies as straight. I have always wondered, “What makes me gay?” as I think many individuals do when they question their sexuality. The existence of a twin, however, spun my question uniquely: “What makes me gay and Anna straight?”. We had many similar experiences growing up, but were also affected by some events differently. We were raised the same way at the same time. We share half our genes; I take after our father and Anna takes after our mom. The purpose of my self-questioning, the Twins Study, and the arguments of Pinker and Lewontin readings in class is to uncover some kind of cause of homosexuality. Pinker would argue that my sexual orientation is determined by my genetic makeup–I got the “gay gene” from one in the family (maybe my dad? I do have quite a few gay cousins on his side) and my sister managed to avoid it. Pinker would argue that because we were raised similarly and shared many similar experiences growing up, it makes sense that the only thing that could cause this significant difference in our identities is something we were born with. My understanding of Lewontin is that he would argue the opposite–my sister and I were born the same, but it was my discovery of the category “gay” that caused me to identify as such. This also makes sense in a way–the more I have been “treated” as a lesbian and identified myself as such in the world, the more “clear” my identity has become to me. But maybe that is the natural path of self-discovery? Locke would probably argue that some experience I had as a child shaped who I became (the Twins study is attempting to sift through our childhoods to find any kind of remarkable differences). Before our class, I had stopped questioning the origin of my identity, deciding that I would never have an answer. Our readings are now bringing me back to it with new perspectives...but I still have no idea.
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Laura’s participation in the UMN Twin Study provides the class with real-world information on the genes vs. life experiences controversy. (Thanks, Laura, for telling us your story.) We may never have a definitive answer to the heredity-environment question. Laura’s gay existence might be due to a complex combination of genetic and upbringing factors. Does it really matter? I think not. If sexual orientation is strictly genetic, the proponents of eugenics could have field day. We don’t want a repeat of the horrors of the 1930-40s eugenics movement in this country and Germany. On the other hand, if sexual orientation is influenced primarily by environment, supporters of preventing gays from teaching children, serving in the military and the clergy, and marrying could have their hands strengthened. Again, should it really matter whether genes or environment determines sexual orientation?
ReplyDeleteLaura is trying to understand her identity. Is there something as a "gay gene?" is a great question that comes to mind reading Laura's post. Do our characters come from our genes, our environments or our desires? I think these are questions that we will never be able to answer completely, but they are questions to consider if we want to understand why some people have different sexual orientation. I really like Laura's post, because i have always had questions about why some people have different sexual orientation, but at the same time i am surprised that she herself doesn't have any explanation. This shows that it is very complicated, but i think no matter what people choose whether it is because of their genes or their environment as long as they are not hurting anybody and are happy that is the most important thing.
ReplyDeleteLaura, your blog post really brought me back to my childhood memories and growing up with my cousin who now identifies himself with the gay community. I have to agree with Pinker on this one however. My cousin and I grew up with the other always next to our side, but looking back, Ryan always did seem to favor what are deemed as 'female interests' by society. Even from when we started walking and interacting with children he would rather be playing with dolls than getting dirty in the sandbox with the boys. As we grew older he began becoming more fashion aware and would compliment or comment on my fashion choices as well. However, I never questioned his sexuality even once, I just thought, "This is Ryan." After he came out to me he said he felt the biggest relief off of his chest because he said he was afraid to tell me and that he was afraid I wouldn't accept him. I remember him saying to me, "This is who I am, I've tried to change it, but it was born with me when I was born." Of course I told him that I loved and accepted him, he was like a brother and a best friend to me and I couldn't understand why I hadn't seen it sooner. Ryan's last quote that I mentioned is what makes me believe it is something that is genetic and part of someone from the moment they're conceived. There may be small signs when you look into the past pointing towards that direction that can be easily overlooked, but the important part is that he was able to express it and can now live happily because he knows it's part of who he was born to be. Thanks to Pinker (along with Laura's post) I have more of a grounding in my belief of genetics behind have a better understanding of what it means to identify with being gay.
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