WHY ARE SOME PEOPLE GAY OR LESBIAN?

AM I GAY? AM I A LESBIAN? MAYBE I'M BISEXUAL?

WHY ARE SOME PEOPLE GAY OR LESBIAN?

Research indicates that approximately 10% of the population is gay or lesbian. If there are 6 billion people in the world then 600 million of them are gay or lesbian. WOW. That means that in Australia, 1.9 million people are gay or lesbian.

How do we find them?

Some statistics say that 10% of the population is absolutely heterosexual. Other sources say that the number is 45%. Whichever is accurate, it shows us that there are fewer people who are heterosexual than is reflected in the attitudes of individuals, the media and governments' policies.

Those who are not heterosexual are known as bisexual or same sex attracted. There are many, many people who are same sex attracted. Their feelings may be strong for someone of the same sex but they may not express their feelings in their behaviour. In fact, their behaviour may demonstrate otherwise.

There are many theories about what causes people's sexuality.

	Some scientists say there is a gay gene. There seems to be evidence to suggest that genetic and hormonal factors play a large part in a person's sexuality.
	Others say it is a combination of environment and biological factors.
	There are probably many reasons and they might be different for different people.
	Our society often tries to find reasons for why people are different.Sometimes they want to "fix" the difference. But there is nothing to fix. People are different in many ways - height, skin colour, race, shape, academic, sporting, musical abilities, how they relate to people, etc. Wanting to find out why people are gay or lesbian could be based on prejudice - homophobia.

Given that only 10%-45% of the population is heterosexual (or straight), maybe a relevant question to ask is, "Why are some people straight?"

AM I GAY? AM I A LESBIAN? MAYBE I'M BISEXUAL?

Some gay, lesbian or bisexual people say that from the time they were really young, they felt different. They played with the opposite gender in primary school. The boys loved dressing up, playing with dolls and joining in the games the girls played. Some girls say they loved kicking balls around with the boys, climbing trees and playing "rough and tumble". These things don't necessarily mean you are same sex attracted. They could mean you know what you like and pay little attention to the stereotypes society puts on girls and boys. But it might be an indication….

As a young person in secondary school you may feel different. You may be fantasising about kids who are the same gender as you. Having crushes on people of your gender may mean you are gay, lesbian or bisexual or it might not. Unfortunately, there are no hard and fast rules.

However, some people have said that it wasn't until they heard the words gay or lesbian that they realised that their strong feelings for their same sex friends could now be explained.

Once again, not all young people who feel passionately towards their friends will be same sex attracted. Some children and young people who turn out to be heterosexual have felt this way too.

Having one or two sexual experiences with someone of the same sex may or may not mean you are gay, lesbian or bisexual. Experiences with someone of the opposite sex don't necessarily mean you are heterosexual.

It's to do with how you feel, whom you are emotionally attracted to and whom you are physically attracted to.

It will become obvious over time. There's no rush to define yourself.

If you feel you're a lesbian, gay man or bisexual, then you are.

You may never want to put a label on your sexuality, though people have found that defining their sexuality often helps them to make sense of their feelings and attractions and they are better able to understand themselves.

You will know when you know. What's the rush?

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