Why are some people gay and lesbians?

Answer 1

Genetics are one possibility. Some people are gay and believe they were born that way.

Studies have shown that there is a clear physiological difference between the way the brains of gay people process sensory inputs and those of straight or even bi people. It has been found through brain imaging that gay men process smells completely differently to straight men and that the patterns observed are far closer to those seen in straight women.

Our understanding of genetics have changed in recent years to accept the possibility of environmental factors impacting upon the expression of certain genes and this combined with the known fact that some rats are born gay during periods of over population suggest a clear and obvious evolutionary reason for a gayness to exist. If one views evolution through the selfish gene hypothesis one can see that it isn't just a case of passing on your own genes but sometimes it is more advantageous to assist a close relative to pass on theirs. If resources were becoming scarce it would be advantageous to have some of the current generation attracted to their own gender and therefore unable to procreate - prior to modern technology existing or through taking part in an act they find repulsive (straight sex). This would avoid too much demand for resources in the next generation.

It is entirely possible that we all possess a gay gene and that it is often suppressed to some degree. Gay and bisexual people may be born without the ability to suppress this or may only have limited suppression abilities.

Other studies have clearly shown that homosexuality is, however repressed by social norms, clearly visible in behaviors and preferences from the earliest ages of sexual awakening in children.

Or you could prefer to believe that an all loving God chooses to punish some people and make them live a life suppressing their true selves in order to wash away ancient sins that the death of Christ was supposed to have absolved us of already. Some contributors here find that to be an odd way to view a loving God and therefore believe that some people are just born gay and God loves us all. But then some others believe that Christ's death is only for those who accept Him to be their personal savior and take over their lives - thus giving the ability to resist sin. Ultimately, we all have to learn to find our own path and accept ourselves.