An Open Secret: Child Sexual Abuse as One Possible Cause of Homosexuality

Abstract

LGBTs report childhood sexual abuse at 3x-8x the rate of heterosexuals. LGBTs have similar order of magnitude higher rates of substance abuse, suicide, mental illness and obesity (among lesbians). The failure to consider this possible causal relationship has lead to a widespread assumption that homosexuality is an inborn and immutable characteristic. Failure to consider this possible origin has also led critics of homosexuality to assume that homosexuality as a preference is a conscious choice.

Keywords: Sexual Orientation, Homosexuality, Child Sexual Abuse