'Born That Way' No More: The New Science of Sexual Orientation (with Unpublished Science Letter to the Editor)

Abstract

A new study adds to a growing body of evidence demonstrating that the dominant narrative about sexual orientation—that it is genetically determined—simply cannot be true. Instead, the science shows that a person’s sexual orientation and choice of partners depends heavily on the development and expression of personal autonomy regarding one’s own sexual possibilities. People with same-sex attractions should be legally and culturally free not to identify with or act on them.

This Public Discourse op/ed was revised from a letter submitted to the editor of Science which was not published. This document contains1) the letter originally submitted to Science followed by 2) the draft submitted to Public Discourse and 3) the edited op/ed as published.

Keywords: sexual orientation, GWAS

JEL Classification: J12, J13