3.1 Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Proposed Amendments ,* C . bd
op ansas Our mission is to end discrimination based on sexual
e quality orientation and gender identity, and to ensure the
oalition dignity, safety, and legal equality of all Kansans.
vwvw.KansasEqualityCoalition.org • 6505 E. Central #219 • Wichita, KS 67206 6(316)260-4863 • fax(316)858-7196
February 6, 2012
Good Afternoon:
My name is Janice Norlin. I live at 608 E. Republic.
As a resident of the city of Salina and a member of the North Central Chapter of the Kansas
Equality Coalition, I am here today to ask the Salina City Commission to amend Chapter 13 of
the City Code, pertaining to Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, by adding "Sexual
Orientation" and "Gender Identity" to the current list that precludes discrimination on the basis
of race, religion, color, sex, disability, national origin, ancestry and familial status.
Unfortunately, many lesbian, gay, bi, and transgender (LGBT) Kansans have been
discriminated against in employment and housing. Unlike many other Kansans, these
individuals do not have the ability to seek a remedy. Amending the existing law provides the
ability for someone to file a complaint and have that complaint investigated if they believe
they've been discriminated against.
You have each been provided a copy of the proposed Amendment including definitions in
Section 13-2.
Gender Identity means having or expressing a self- image or identity not traditionally
associated with one's gender. This term shall not prohibit an employer from requiring an
employee during the employee's hours at work to adhere to reasonable dress or grooming
standards not prohibited by other provisions of federal, state, or local law.
Sexual Orientation means actual, or perceived, male or female heterosexuality, homosexuality,
or bisexuality by inclination, practice, or expression.
These definitions come from Kansas Equality Coalition's similar bill introduced in the Kansas
legislature. The definitions have been reviewed multiple times by the Senate Federal and State
Affairs committee, and recommended twice by that committee for passage.
A study of lesbian, gay, and bi workers, conducted for the years 2003 through 2008, found the
following:
37% have experienced workplace discrimination;
38% have been subjected to harassment because of their sexual orientation;
9% have lost their jobs because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation.
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quality
oalition
Recent studies of discrimination against transgender people reveal some startling statistics:
41% of transgender and gender non-conforming people attempt suicide;
19% report having been turned away for basic medical care;
28% report being harassed in medical settings;
20% of transgender people experience homelessness,
Transgender people are twice as likely to be unemployed and far more likely to live in
poverty.
America's largest businesses know that to remain competitive in today's economy, they must
provide a workplace free from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Eighty-nine percent of the Fortune 500 includes "sexual orientation" in their non- discrimination
policies, and forty-three percent include "gender identity."
There is strong support across our state and country for this type of protection. Nearly nine in
ten Americans support the principle of sexual orientation nondiscrimination, and a recent
Kansas poll found that 68% of voters supported anti-discrimination protections.
The fiscal impact of this addition to the existing law will be minimal. Based on the experiences
of other states and municipalities, we expect there to be no more than a 3% to 6% increase in
overall claims of discrimination. Our information comes from a comprehensive GAO study of
non-discrimination laws across the nation, and from the statistics reported by those states
which have these laws.
State non-discrimination law has specific exemptions for religious and nonprofit fraternal or
social associations. For example, churches and church-owned schools may discriminate in
their hiring and membership practices.
One of the most important provisions in current law protects people from discrimination based
on their religion. On the other hand, those who claim a right to discriminate against others,
based on their religious practices, are attempting to elevate the practices of their specific faith
above all other religions, and above the laws passed by our elected representatives.
As Martin Luther King Jr. said so eloquently forty-nine years ago in his famous Letter from
Birmingham Jail, "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
This is the civil rights issue of the 21 st century. Right now, LGBT individuals can be fired or
evicted on the basis of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Salina is better than
that. We want Salina to be a leader in the state and in the country. Passing the proposed
Amendment is the right thing to do.
Finally, we request the City Commission place the proposed Amendment on the agenda for
first reading today.
Thank you.
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LGBT Protected Class Proposal Background
Information Comp[(ed by Rod.Franz,North Central of Kansas Fguality Coalition
This area of controversy is full of stereotypes, misleading and unsubstantiated beliefs and misconceptions.
Terminology is often.mis-used,,and some terminology can be demeaning and offensive,even if used innocently.
Definitions
Sexual Orientation: Actual, or perceived, male or female heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality by
inclination,practice,or expression...
Homosexual; Homosexuality: In the fields of human sexuality and mental health,the term"homosexual"is
morally neutral and refers to a person who is attracted to persons of the same sex. Similarly a heterosexual is
attracted only to the opposite sex, and a bisexual is attracted to both genders,althouah not necessarily to each
gender in the same degree. The term homosexual now carries somewhat of a negative stigma among some,
due to its abuse as a demeaning term. It is,however,the scientifically correct designation,
Types of Gender. Our gender may be defined in terms of any one of the following three factors:
Our genetic or biological gender: Every cell in a person's body contains sex chromosomes that determine
a person's genetic sex. In nearly all cases,these are XX chromosomes for females.and XY for ma(es.
Our gender identity:This involves our"internal sense of being either male or female."
Our physiological gender:The genitalia of the vast majority of newborns are clearly either male or female,
and remain so throughout life.Our physical appearance generally determines the sex that we are assigned at
birth. If the appearance of genitalia,is unclear, then we would be considered"intersex"_
For most of us, but not all of us,.,these are all consistent with one another.. When they are not consistent,, we are
.considered to be transgender.
Gender identity: The term"gender identity'defines the gender by which a person identifies themselves;
"Cisgender"persons identify with their gender as assigned to them at birth.
"Transgender"persons identify their gender as different from that assigned to them at birth. Some say that
thev have a female brain trapped in a male body. or vice versa. Some identify with,neither gender...some with
-both genders; some feel that they are disengaged from the concept of gender.
Reassignment surgery: Surgery that attempts to align a persons physiological gender with their gender
identity_ Some, but not nearly all transgender people have partial or complete reassignment-surgery.
Transgender female: A person whom was assigned a physiological,gender of male at birth,.but whom identifies
as a female,whether or not reassignment surgery has been performed.
Transgender male: A person whom was assigned a physiological gender of female at birtk but whom identifies
as a male,whether or not reassignment surgery,has been performed.
Gay: A more politically correct form of homosexual, "Gay" may be applied to either males or females,
-LGBT(GLBT): Lesbian,Gay, Bi-sexual,Transgender. Sometimes a"Q" is added to-designate"Queer"-or
"Questioning", and sometimes an°I"is added to include intersex people. "LGBT-and it's variants are shorthand
used to designate the"community"..
Queer Essentially the same as"Gay",-but•is typically offensive.
Fagot,Fag.,Dyke,Butch,Homo,tranny: offensive and demeaning language.
Other terminology—cross-dressers,female Impersonators,drag queen,transvestite are not very precise,
and carry shades of meaning that may be and many times are offensive,
Homophobe,.Homophobia: covers a-muttitude of meanings, including: a fear of being lathe presence of-gays,
lesbians, or bisexuals(GLBTs); a fear of the threat that GLBTs are perceived as posing towards one's family,
society,culture, religion,etc,a.Hatred of GLBTs: Eng girlg in or promoting violent actions Apinst GLBTs:and,
advocating restricted or no civil rights for GLBTs including opposition to same-sex marriage,opposition to
workplace equity,etc, It is a convenient and neutral tem.h.owever...some homophobes are offended.by its use..
Orientation vs Activity:
✓ Most individuals whom are opposed to extending equal rights and equal rights protection to LGBT
people view homosexuality as a oho
ice of iviibC and beyond that view those chosen activities as
immoral or"sinful",even when conducted in private, between two consenting adults, and in a long term
relationship.
✓ Those whom are 5u.pportive of equal rights,along with the overwhelming majority of psychologists,
physicians, human sexuality researchers,therapists, along with most LGBT people view homosexuality
as an set orientation that is established from birth, not as a choice. In this view, homosexuality is a
normal and natural component of our humanity. It cannot be changed, nor can homosexuals"recruit"or
convert others, homosexuality is not a communicable disease, and parents cannot teach their children to
be gay. (Please see attached list of scientific research.)
Scientific studies and support There have been a number of scientific studies designed to look for the
sources or"causes"of homosexuality. Attached are summaries of those we have found. Further information
and citations can be provided.
✓ These studies are all consistent in that they point to a genetic component,with perhaps some pre-natal
influences(hormonal or immune system). There are no legitimate studies that have been done which
identify parenting,peer pressure,or any other component of"choice"that underlies LGBT orientations.
✓ In addition, at least one study has identified differences in the hypothalamus of transgender individuals.
Incidence of LGBT individuals: Studies on this have typically produced results that 2%to 5%of the population
-self-identifies as LGBT. Because these surveys rely on the individual"coming out"and self acknowledgment,
those results may be understated.The Kinsey reports,and others identified 10%or more whom report having
experienced a same sex attraction or experience.Those may be overstated with respect to"orientation". A best
estimate would be that LGBT individuals are between 5%and 10%of the population. Bisexuals account for
about about half of this number,while transgender people are about.5%or less of the total population,
Societal acceptance of LGBT people
Kansas Poll(Conducted by Jayhawk Consulting Services,January,2008)
✓ 79%of Kansans believe it is not a good practice to fire someone because they are,or appear to be,.gav
or lesbian. (But 11%thought it would be OK)
✓ 68%of those opposing such discrimination support a law making it illegal,
2011-April: National poll by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research for the Center for American Progress(CAP):
This poll sampled the opinion of 2,012 likely voters during the first half of April. Results included:
73%of voters support the protection of gay and transgender person from discrimination in employment.
✓ There was no significant difference whether subjects were asked about protection on the basis of sexual
orientation or sexual orientation+gender identity.
✓ Ninety percent of voters erroneously believe that a federal anti-discrimination lawprotecting.L.GBT's is
-currently in place:
.� tither polls(Gallup.etc)consistently parallel these findings,
While the above survey data indicate that somewhere on the order of 70%to 80%of the population are relatively
accepting of LGBT people, there is a significant well-organized well-funded and vocal minority(10%to 15%)
whom are opposed to extending equal rights protection,and whom wish to impose their minority view on the rest
of us.
Millennials(age 18 to 29)are substantially more accepting of the LGBT population and of extending equal rights
to those individuals than are Seniors(65 plus). There is a definite age association with these attitudes. Full
acceptance is the wave of the future.
Private-Sector experience(From Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law)
✓ By 2009, 87%of the Fortune 500 companies included sexual orientation in their non-discrimination
policv. 41%include gender identity. 59%offer domestic partner benefits.
✓ Overall,they view such policies as.good for business. The majority of the top 50 of the fortune 50G
specifically link policies prohibiting sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination,as well as
provision of domestic partner benefits to improving their bottom line.
✓ Specific benefits cited include improved recruitment and retention, enhanced creativity(ideas and
innovation),better customer service. higher employee productivity.,and improved employee relations..
Experience in other Cities/States
In 2000, 12 states had laws that prohibited discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation. (From
GAO report dated April 28, 20001., By 2008. this had increased to at least 21 states Williams. UCLA)
-✓ Small proportion of all discrimination complaints (I%to 5%)
✓ But, when adjusted for the target groups presence in the workforce,the rate of filing complaints is
comparable t4 complaints based.on race and sex..
✓ -No significant amount of litigation(In other words,conciliation seems°to,beeffective}
Topeka Survev(2004)
-✓ 47%reported they had to conceal their orientation/identity-tolprotect theirjobs
Employment:
Employment.Terminate;.25%
Denied Employment 16%
Denied Promotion: 11%
Overlooked for promote 18%
Verbal or Physical Abuse 41%
Vandalized workspace 16%
Harassing.Speech, 35%0.
Teased - 24%
Housing:
Buvinq Home 17%
Seeking Insurance- 20°x6
Public Accommodation
Seeking Medical Care 12%
Seeking Police Protect. 11%
Apply for Bank Loan 4%
Custodv or Visitation 1.00/0
Williams-Institute(UCLA School of Law) (National Survey)-(2008)--
✓ Percentage reporting discrimination at work:
"Obit'at work status: 3.7.7%
Not"Out": 10.4%
we Lost job
"our at work staffs: 9.2
Not"Out". 0.0%
✓ 75%of LGBT workers are not generally"out"at work.
v Fear nJ discrimk.ation is the mason.I GET y12rkem dhoase riot to."ouf at-work
From."Injustice at Every Turn', addressing transgender and gender non-conforming populations.
✓ 63%of participants had experienced serious acts of discrimination, including job loss, eviction, school
bullying serious enough to force the person to drop out(sometimes from teachers and administrators),,
physical assault, sexual assault, homelessness, denial of medical service, and incarceration when the
only"crime"was transgend.er status.
Economic Conditions_
✓ Poverty rates are much higher among the transgender population. Transgendered people are 4 times
as likely as the_general population.to have household income of less than$1.0 000.-
✓ Gay men earn significantly less than do straight-men.insimilavoccupations. The.gap varies-from 109%ko-
32%,.depending on the location.
✓ This relationship does not hold true for aav women. (Williams Institute)
Homophoblc behaviors cover a spectrum of intensity—from trash-talk to murder. Discrimination is in
the middle of the spectrum.
.v° Most-serious is Hate Crime. According to the FBI:
US,2010: 6,628 Incidents, 1,277 of those were based on sexual orientation(19.2%)
KS. 2010: 58 Incidents.16 related to sexual orientation (28%)
(Compare this to the 5%or less of the population that are gay.).
Salina,2010: 3 Incidents, none related to sexual orientation (NA).
• And..from the Southern Povertv Law Center.
• "Last, we compared the rate of victimization for homosexuals to that of the other groups. The figures
show that homosexuals are 2.4 times more likely to suffer a violent hate crime attack than Jews. In
the same way. oays are 2-6 times more likelv to be attacked than blacks:4.4 times more likely than
Muslims, 13.8 times more likely than Latinos;and 41.5 times more likely than whites, according to
the FBI Soures_ The basic oattem holds by veers as well as across the veers."
The bottom line:Homosexuals are far more likely than any other minority group in the United
$fates to be victimized by violent hate crime."
• The Southern Poverty Law Center also observes that the incidence of hate crime often escalates when
communities Dubliclv discuss these issues. -
✓ Hateful and dehumanizing speech-permeates the news,.antemet and social media. Some-quotes:
• Westboro Baptist Church. You all know! ("God hates faas")
Rick Santorum: "Children would be better off with their parents in prison,than to have=same-sex
parents." (This,despite that all of the studies on this show no identifiable difference in the quality of
..parenting between LGBT or same sex Darents and heterosexual Darents.)
• Jimmy Swaggert(a Pentecostal Evangelist): "If one(a homosexual)approached me, 1 would-kill-him
myself,and tell everybody God did it(followed by much applause from his audience)
• Michele Bachman: "It's Dart of Satan": "Because if vou're involved in the aav and lesbian-lifestvle.,
it's bondage. Personal bondage, personal despair,and personal enslavement. "
• Gay candidates for office in Kansas have received death threats. Cut from Newspaper:
•
-DISTRICT 91 Democrat Dan N.Manning,29,production supervisor,manningforkansas.com"
"Will DIE"
"FaGIT"
"Kill°
"MURDER"
"Head OFF"
✓ The social media site entitled"Wipe Out Homophobia on Facebook"has found and Facebook has
removed more than 2.900 homophobic hatespeech pages, and countless images and comments since
May 2010.
✓ Go to the internet.and.Google-_the.phrase"kill,the fags°to see what.kind.of..poison gets stirred-up.
The,point being:
1. Documented hate crime levels committed against LGBT pQpuja#owi at.more than,double the rate that
are committed against any of the"protected classes".
2, Documented high levels of discriminatory behavior, both within the State and Nationwide.
3, Documented pervasive hateful.and dehumanizing speech.
4. Why would we think that we do not have discrimination in Salina;Kansas,particularly since-we-have-no-
way to resolve or conciliate potential complaints,and no way to protect those whom do complain from
being, further victimized?
,_Kansas Our mission is to end discrimination based on sexual
"quality orientation and gender identity, and to ensure the
�Oalition dignity, safety, and legal equality of all Kansans.
1 wvwv.KansasEqualityCoalition.org a 6505 E.Central#219•Wichita, KS 67206&(316)260-4863 fax(316)858-7196
Transgender Q&A
Prepared by Stephanie Mott, Director
Kansas Statewide Transgender Education Project
Is transgender identity a choice?
There is a considerable and growing body of scientific evidence that suggests transgender
identity is set in the womb and unchangeable. Studies show that the hypothalamus is the area
of the brain responsible for gender identity. With transgender women, this area more closely
matches those of biological women,than those of biological men. Ask yourself: when did you
choose your gender identity? Isn't it something that you just knew, something that was an
.inherent part of who you are?
Is there evidence of anti-transgender discrimination?
Recent studies of discrimination against transgender people reveal some startling statistics:
0 41%of transgender and gender non-conforming people attempt suicide;
• 19% report having been turned away for basic medical care;
C 28% report being harassed in-medical settings;
• One in five transgender people experience homelessness;
• Transgender people are twice as likely to be unemployed and far more likely to live in
poverty.
Since discrimination against transgender people is legal in Kansas,there is no mechanism in
Kansas for reporting incidents, so state-specific data in unavailable.
Will extending current non-discrimination laws to transgender people result in a lot of law
suits?
Based upon the experiences of cities and towns which already have such protections in place,
this is not the case.This.has not happened in Lawrence, as a result of adding sexual orientation
to the Lawrence anti-discrimination code.This has also not been the case with lesbian,gay, bi,
and transgender employees of the state of Kansas, who were given employment protections
through an executive order signed by former Governor Kathleen Sebelius.
Won't women and girls be assaulted in bathrooms?
This is a scare tactic used by opponents of protections for transgender people. Over 43%of the
nation's population now lives in areas where there are transgender protections and there are
no reported cases of this happening.There are, however, numerous documented cases of
transgender people being assaulted in bathrooms and elsewhere.
Is gender identity the same as sexual orientation?
Gender identity is about who you are. Sexual orientation is about who you are attracted to.
J
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Are transgender people just confused?
Transgender people are just as certain of their gender identity as people whose gender identity
l
matches their biological birth sex.
Is protection for transgender people religious discrimination?
Nothing in an anti-discrimination ordinance protecting transgender people affects how anyone
chooses to worship.
Isn't gender identity disorder listed as a mental disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual for Mental Disorders(DSM)?
Listings in the DSM-IV-TR (the most current version of the DSM) include insomnia and fear of
flying, and children who are afraid of costumed animals.The DSM is used to assign a number to
a diagnosis so that it can be placed on an insurance form for billing purposes. Also included in
the DSM is a section that speaks directly to the question of how culture plays a part in societal
beliefs—in some cultures, transgender people are actually revered (two-spirit or Berdache).
,1
Kansas Equality Coalition a 6505 E.Central#219 Wichita,KS 67206•(316)260-4863 •fax(316)858-7196
*an§as Our mission is to end discrimination based on sexual
I orientation and gender identity, and to ensure the
oalit1®i1 dignity, safety, and legal equality of all Kansans.
www.KansasEqualityCoalition.org•6505 E.Central#219•Wichita,KS 67206*(316)260-4863 •fax(316)858-7196
A Few Stories of Discrimination in Kansas
Angel.
Angel was employed in Topeka, KS in a career that she had been very successful at and with a.
company in which she was considered a top employee. She was moved from one location of the
company to another. Upon her move, she quickly became subject to a hostile work environment.
She was passed over for a promotion because she "was too `out' and had worked with a local gay
rights group in her spare time". She was subject to harassment by her manager including calling
her a"dyke", saying derogatory statements over the communication systems,and threats to fire
her. She was eventually fired and lost her health insurance. As a single mother of two children
this was incredibly detrimental to them. She filed an internal grievance with her company based
on discrimination because the company had a sexual orientation non discrimination policy. The
company agreed to a settlement package and was looking into getting her placed at a different
location; however,the company then withdrew most of the settlement offer,terminated her
position and left her without any recourse. She had an attorney;however,due to the lack of
protection for individuals in this situation she was forced to take a very limited offer and
scramble to find ways to make ends meet while looking for another job.
Bus discrimination:
A woman, who has asked to remain anonymous due to fear of repercussions,has been having
difficulty with a public transportation system: She takes the bus everyday to work because she
has no other form of transportation. Some days the driver refuses to pick her up. On other days,
when she does get on the bus,he comments that he doesn't want a"dyke"on the bus and allows
the other riders to harass her. She has even been physically assaulted on the bus.
Transgender discrimination:
In Leavenworth,a transgender woman was charged with intentionally lying about her sex on a
government document. Although eventually found not guilty,the judge in the case said it was
"impossible to determine"whether Sandy Clarissa Gast had intended to lie on the application or
whether she"truly believed herself to be female."
Transgender discrimination:
A trans gender man was offered a job pending the results of a medical examination.The doctor
who performed the examination made lewd comments about the man's body. The doctor's
method of examining the man amounted to sexual assault.
Vernon Jantz:
Vernon Jantz is heterosexual,married, and the father of two children. In 1987 and 1988, Jantz
often substitute-taught throughout the Wichita school district, including in the Wichita North
High School social studies department. When Wichita North announced an opening for a full-
time teaching position,Jantz received sterling recommendations from fellow teachers, including
the director of the Wichita North social studies department. But the principal's secretary
remarked that Jantz reminded her of her ex-husband, who she thought was gay. As a result,the
principal hired someone else.When the department director asked the principal why he had not
1
hired Jantz,the principal,explained that.he had rejected Jantz because.of.his "homosexual
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tendencies."Jantz sued the principal in federal court:But lacking anti-discrimination protections
covering sexual orientation,Jantz lost his case(976 F.2d 623 (10th Cir. 1992)).
Sandra Stenzel.
Sandra was the Economic Development Coordinator for Trego County,Kansas. In 2004, Sandra
took a vacation day to come to the Capitol to testify in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee
against the Marriage Amendment. Her participation was quoted in several papers across Kansas.
Two of the County Commissioners were quoted as saying things such as "No one wants a lesbian
running economic development" and that they were going to find a way to get her out of a job
because she was a lesbian. The County Commissioners were opposed by a large majority of the
community;however,they still chose to cut all funding to the Economic Development program
so that Sandra would lose her job. They have both stated publicly that this was because she was
a lesbian. Sandra had no recourse.
.Ion:
Jon lived in Topeka, KS and was searching for a job online when he ran across an ad for a place
that was looking for a bartender. Jon had tended bar for 3 '/2 years, so called regarding the job.
A woman, who identified herself as the owner,answered the phone. She was very pleasant and
interested, especially upon hearing the Jon had previous experience. She asked Jon where he had
tended bar and would he gave the name and general address of the bar,she asked if I it was a gay
bar. Jon replied with"Yes.ma'am." The woman said,"Oh no.No!No!" And then went on to
say"My beer distributor told me that when you get them people in here,they will ruin your
business. Don't even bother." Jon,who was confused,went on to ask if he could come fill out
an application. The woman told him no and that she did not even want him in her building. The
next day,Jon went to Topeka Human Relations Commission to discuss potential options for
recourse. He was told that while they wished they could help him, sexual orientation was not
covered under the current law and that he could not even file a complaint.
Paul:
Paul worked for a large department store in Kansas as a sales manager. He had regular positive.
employee reviews. When his store got a new store manger things seemed fine at first,but a
couple of months later Paul was called into his manager's office. She asked him if he was gay.
He answered that he was, but did not understand why she was asking. She proceeded to tell him
to make sure that he didn't show any signs of being gay while at the store and that she had a
"problem with it"and to keep it under"control"while at work. Paul was humiliated,but
continued.to move on with his job. He worked hard,but began to be targeted by this manager.
Over the next two weeks she wrote him up multiple times and eventually fired him. He lost his
insurance and it took him six months to find another job in the tough job market.
Kansas Equality Coalition•6505 E.Central.#219 a Wichita;KS 67206 (316)260-4863 fax(316)858-7196
Summary of Scientific Research on Homosexuality
Information Compiled by Rod Franz, North Central Chapter of the Kansas Equality Coalition.
There have been a number of scientific studies to try to identify the sources or"causes"of homosexuality. They all point
to either genetics or hormonal or other influences during gestation, or a combination. No legitimate scientific research
points to choice, parenting practices, or peer influence as being related to sexual orientation.
4 J.A.Y. Hall and D. Kimura at the University of Western Ontario at London ON Canada found a relationship
between the number of fingertip ridges on men and their sexual orientation. This is a particularly interesting
finding, because fingerprints are fully determined in a fetus before the 17th week of pregnancy,and do not
change thereafter, through birth, infancy, childhood, youth and adulthood.This would seem to show that for at
least some adult homosexuals their sexual orientation was pre-determined before birth, perhaps at conception;
certainly by the end of the 4th month of pregnancy.
4 A California psychologist, Marc Breedlove conducted his research on finger length at three street fairs in the
San Francisco Bay area in the fall of 1999." They found that lesbians tended to have shorter index fingers
(relative to their ring fingers)than did heterosexual women.They also found that gay mates tended to have
shorter index fingers(relative to their ring fingers)than heterosexual males. The relative size of a person's
fingers is determined well before birth These findings imply that sexual orientation is at least partly decided
before birth—perhaps at conception when a person's unique DNA is established.
4 In the mid 1990s, researcher Ray Blanchard studied families in which there is a male child with a homosexual
orientation. He found that a gay man is more likely to have older brothers than older sisters. He found that the
probability that a male child will row up as a homosexual increases by about 33%for each brother born before
he was. Blanchard suggests that this effect may be caused by an immune response within the mother during
.pregnancy.
4 Psychologist Michael Bailey of Northwestern University and Psychiatrist Richard Pillard of Boston University
studied the sexual orientation of male siblings raised together since birth. He found that if one was homosexual
then the chance of their sibling being homosexual was:
• Fifty two percent for their identical twin,who shared 100%of the same genes. That is 10 times the
frequency in the general population.
• Twenty-two percent for their non-identical twin; they share half of the same genes
• About 10%for adopted or non-twin brothers; they share none to half of the same genes.
• This study also points to a very strong genetic factor at the time of conception. However it is clearly not
100%"penetrant"
+ J. M. Bailey, R. C. Pillard and others conducted a similar study of female identical twins raised in the same family,
in which one twin identified herself as a lesbian. The results showed that 48%(34 out of 71)of their twins also
said that she is homosexual.Again, a very strong_caenetic component is indicated.
4 Dean Hamer, and his colleagues at the National Cancer Institute collected family data from the families of 114
gay men. They quickly determined that homosexuality runs in families,even when members were raised apart in
different households_ This reinforced the possibility that genetic factors might cause people to become gay_
• What proved the genetic nature of"gayness"was a pedigree test. This type of study examines the sexual
orientation of the ancestors of many gay adults-both on their father's and mother's side. The result of the
study showed a much larger number of gay relatives on the maternal side of the family. Thus, much male
homosexuality in this study was associated with a gene on the X chromosome. Hamer went on to find the
approximate location on the chromosome where the gay-causing gene was located. He found that many of
his subjects had an identical sequence on the Xg28 region of their X chromosome.This shows the
approximate location of the"gay gene." The Hamer study had a P factor of 0.00001,and so is considered
extremely reliable.
• The DNA of 36 pairs of lesbian sisters were also studied;no corresponding,pattern has:yet been found.
Summary findings extracted froth: http://WWW.-religioustolerance.org/honz_caus.htm
+ Monozygotic(Identical)twin studies:
• These are twins that resulted from the splitting of a single fertilized egg--the zygote—into two separate
zygotes with identical genetic structure. It can happen at any time prior to about 14 days after conception.
Studying these twins, researchers can determine whether a trait such as homosexuality is determined by the
environment or by genetics or by a combination of both. The technique involves the study of pairs of identical
twins who were separated at birth and raised in different families without later contact...
• Studies of identical twins have shown that if one twin is gay,the other is gay about 556/6 of the time.Again,
there is a very strong genetic component at work.
• This test has been repeated many times by different researchers; subsequent tests all reported that.
somewhat in excess of 50%of the second twins are also gay.This indicates that genes play a very
significant role in determining sexual orientation.
• The number is not 100%.This indicates that environment plays a role in determining.sexual orientation. It.
might be an event in the womb, or in early childhood. Other studies,explained below, show that a person's
eventual sexual orientation is determined before they reach school age.
• This series of replicated studies proves beyond any doubt that at least male homosexuality is largely
determined before birth.As the American Psychological Association's statement on homosexuality in 1994-
JUL asserts: "Research suggests that the homosexual orientation is in place very early in the fife cycle
possibly even before birth...'
4 In 2003-0CT-2. researchers.at University of East London and at King's College announced the results of a study
which differentiates between homosexuals and heterosexuals using the startle reflex.
• They studied groups of homosexual and heterosexual men and women and found significant differences in
an involuntary response to being startled with bursts of loud noises. The reaction of the lesbian test subjects.
was closer to that which would be expected among straight men.And, gay men reacted closer that of
women, although to a lesser extent.".
• Startle response is known to be an involuntary response rather than learned reaction_It controlled by the
limbic system, a region of the brain that also controls sexuality. One of the researchers, Oazi Rahman, said:
"The startle response is pre-conscious and cannot be teamed. This is very strong evidence that sexual_
orientation may be 'hard-wined'in this region"of the brain. T
4 Brian Mustakski of the University of Illinois in Chicago and colleagues at the National institutes of Health
searched for additional genes among other chromosomes which might be also involved in causing male
homosexuality. Mustaksi remarked: "It's the largest molecular genetic study ever done on sexual orientation..' He. .
said: "There is no one 'gay'gene. Sexual orientation is a complex trait, so it's not surprising that we found
several DNA regions involved in its expression."They found three such locations.They studied the DNA of
persons from 146 families in which there was at least two gay brothers.They included brothers from the 40
families used in the Hamer study of 1993,as well as from 106 new families.They detected three chromosomal
regions on the human genome more than 50 percent of the time;they were on 7,8, and 10. Of these, a region
7836 on chromosome 7 was shared most frequently. Since males"inherited this region from their fathers just as_
often as their mothers a finding that suggests genes from both parents can contribute to a son's sexual_
orientation." As in previous studies,they were unable to confirm the results of Harier's discovery of the Xg28
region of the X chromosome as a cause of homosexuality among their 146 test subjects. However,when they.
retested the 40 pairs that Hamer had used, they found that Xg28 could contain genes linked to sexual
orientation. Mustanski refers to this as'locus heterogeneity' a situation in which one gene might influence
sexual orientation in one family; but not in another family. Recall that Hamer's study selected only gays who had
a surplus of gays in their mother's side of the family.
4 A Dutch research team in 1990 found that men with a homosexual orientation have a.I�r suprachiasmatic
nucleus in the brain than heterosexual men.
4 Simon LeVay, a Neuroanatomist at the Salk Institute in California published a study in 1991 which examined the
brains of men, many of whom had died of AIDS. He found that the iNAH 3(a structure within the hypothalamus)
differed in size between heterosexual and homosexual men.This suggested to the researcher that"sexual
Summary findings extracted from: http-//www.religioustolerance.org/hoM-causltm
orientation has a biological substrate".
4 A group of researchers at the University of Texas found structural differences in the inner ears between lesbians
and heterosexual women.The researchers found that lesbians had inner ear characteristics that were more like
those of men.The structure of the inner ear forms before birth and is affected during pregnancy by androgens.
These findings indicate that sexual orientation is at least partly decided before birth—,perhaps at conception.
+ Researchers of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. divided 36 subjects into three groups of 12 each:
heterosexual men, heterosexual women and homosexual men.All were healthy, unmedicated, right handed,and
HIV negative,of similar age and of comparable educational level. Each subject sniffed a series of odors.while.
PET scans were taken of their brain activity.
• When ordinary odors such as lavender and cedar,were used, all subjects experienced similar activity in the
part of their brain that handles smells.
• When chemicals derived from male and female sex hormones were used,their reaction was different:
• When gay men and heterosexual woman were exposed to the smell of testosterone,the part of their
brain that deals with sexual response was activated.
• When heterosexual men were exposed to testosterone, there was no sexual response in the brain.
• When heterosexual men were exposed to estrogen,there was a sexual response.
4 A research team led by Ivanka Savic at the Karohnska Institute repeated the above study on lesbian subjects.
They found that lesbians'brains react differently to sex hormones than those of heterosexual women.
• Straight women found male and female pheromones about equally pleasant and about equal in intensity;
lesbians and straight men found the male hormone more intense than the female one.
• Both straight men and lesbians subjects liked the female hormone more and found the male hormone.to be
more irritating. Most heterosexual women were more likely to be irritated by the female hormone.
• Both this study and the previous one on gay males"...add weight to the idea that homosexuality has a_
-hvsical basis and is not/earned behavior._"
4 Neuroscientist Charles Wysocki led a team at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, PA.They
studied the response of 82 heterosexual men,gay men, heterosexual women and lesbians to the odor of
underarm sweat.The samples were collected from 24 donors who varied in sex and sexual orientation.They
found that:
• Gay men differed from heterosexual men, lesbians and heterosexual women;they preferred odors from other
gay men.
• Heterosexual men, lesbians and heterosexual women differed from gay men;odors from gay men were least
preferred by the others.This study has two conclusions:
• Gay men produce sweat with one or more unique odor components.not.found in either heterosexual
men, heterosexual women and lesbians.
• Gay men perceive sweat odors differently from heterosexual men, heterosexual women and lesbians.
• "Our findings support the contention that gender preference has a biological component.that.is reflected
in both the production of different body odors and in the perception of and response to body odors."
4 Swedish researchers led by Dr. Ivanka Savic of the Stockholm Brain Institute: at the.Karolinska Institute.used
neural magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)on a group composed of both heterosexual and homosexual men and
women.
They found key similarities between the brains of:.
• Gay males and heterosexual females, and
• _Lesbian and heterosexual males,.
• Their findings were published in the Procedures of the National Academy of Science on 2008:JUN-16.
• Their article abstract concludes:
• "The results cannot be pdmaril y ascribed to learned effects,and they suggest a linkage.to.
Summary fmdings extracted from: http://wwwxeligioustolerance.org/honkcaus.htm
neurobiological entities'`
• That is, homosexual and heterosexual orientation seem to be linked to pre-birth brain structures,and are not
caused by factors after birth,including parenting styles,.sexual molestation during childhood, or&choice:by
e ind.kndu31_
Are Gay people more of a threat to our children than Heterosexuals? This allegation is often made, and little supported.
✓ Research by Dr. Carole Jenny and Colleagues at Denver Children's Hospital and the.C..Henry.Kempe.National.
Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect(1992.
• Reviewed 269 Cases; 50 male victims (the balance were female)
• One(1)perpetrator was identified as"possibly homosexual"based on his adult behavior
• One out of 50 is.2.0.%. or about%of the frequency of homosexuality in the.adult population
• Source: Jenny, Carole; Roesler,Thomas A.; Poyer, Kimberly L. "Are children at risk for sexual abuse by
homosexuals?"Pediatrics 94. no. 1 (1994):41-44.Abstract available online at.
http://pediatrics aapp ublications.org/coi/content/abstract/94/1/41.
✓ Research by Dr. Nicholas Groth and Dr. Jean Bimbaum in a 1978 study of 175 convicted child molesters.
• "The child offender is a relatively young adult either who has been sexually attracted to underage persons
almost exclusively in his life or who turns to a child as a result of stresses in his adult sexual or marital
relationships.Those offenders who are sexually attracted exclusively to children show a slight preference for
boys over girls,yet these same individuals are uninterested in adult homosexual relationships. In fact, they
frequently express a strong sexual aversion to adult males.
• Source: Grath,A. Nicholas; Birnbaum, H Jean. "Adult sexual orientation and attraction to underage
.persons."Archives of Sexual Behavior?no. 3(1978): 175-181.Abstract available online at
httpi!/www ncbi nlm nih gov/entrez/query fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dot)t=Abstract&list uids=666571
✓ Phalometric tests conducted by Dr. Kurt Freund and Dr.WJ Marshal in 1988 and 1989 supported the conclusion
that as a group overall, gay men were no more likely to respond sexually to male children than straight men
• Freund, Kurt;Watson, Robin J.; Rienzo, Douglas."Heterosexuality, homosexuality, and the erotic age
.preference.".Joumal.of Sex Research 26..no.-A.(1.989):.1.07-1.17
• Marshal,W.L.; Barbaree, H.E.; Butt, Jennifer."Sexual offenders against male children: Sexual preferences."
Behaviour Research and Therapy26,no. 5.(1988.);383-391_
Summary findings extracted from: http://www.religioustolerance.org/honi_caus.htn