Who’s Gay? Does It Matter?

To answer the question ‘‘Who’s gay?’’—and its logical follow-up, ‘‘Does it matter?’’—researchers usually define homosexuality with reference to one of three components or expressions of sexual orientation: sexual/romantic attraction or arousal, sexual behavior, and sexual identity. Yet, the three components are imperfectly correlated and inconsistently predictive of each other, resulting in dissimilar conclusions regarding the number and nature of homosexual populations. Depending on which component is assessed, the prevalence rate of homosexuality in the general population ranges from 1 to 21%. When investigators define the homosexual population based on same-sex behavior or identity, they enhance the possibility of finding a biological basis for homosexuality and a compromised mental health (suicidality). KEYWORDS—gay; sexual orientation; sexual behavior; sexual identity; sexual/romantic attraction Calculating the number and characteristics of homosexual individuals has become a frequent scientific enterprise, with political, clinical, and scientific ramifications. Historically considered a rare phenomenon and a type of mental and moral deviance, homosexuality presents a unique opportunity for modern investigators to broadly explore biological, clinical, and social influences on developmental aspects of sexuality and gender. The ensuing research, however, has generally ignored one fundamental issue—how homosexuality is defined can determine empirical findings. Here I focus on three possible consequences: the prevalence of homosexuality in the general population, the biological basis of homosexuality, and clinical characteristics attributed to homosexual individuals. SEXUAL-ORIENTATION COMPONENTS The question of who belongs in which sexual population group, and on what basis, is central for any viable paradigm for research on sexual orientation (Diamond, 2003a; Savin-Williams, 2005). Yet, few definitive answers regarding the appropriate theoretical basis or empirical means of defining sexual orientation have been provided, resulting in little consensus about what constitutes ‘‘a homosexual’’ and, consequently, reservations about the generalizability of past research findings. Three components or expressions of sexual orientation have been proposed: sexual/ romantic attraction, sexual behavior, and sexual identity (see Table 1 for definitions and measures). When researchers assess the number or characteristics of homosexual individuals, they base their findings on a single sexual-orientation component—usually identity. This approach, however, excludes many same-sex-oriented individuals and misidentifies some heterosexuals as homosexual. Those who self-ascribe a gay/lesbian label are neither exhaustive nor representative of those with a same-sex orientation. If homosexual is assessed by same-sex attraction, there is no consensus about what proportion of an individual’s attractions must be directed toward same-sex others, or how strong the attractions must be, in order to count as homosexual. If homosexual is defined by samesex behavior, gay virgins are omitted, heterosexuals engaging in same-sex behavior for reasons other than preferred sexual arousal are miscounted, and those with same-sex attraction who only have opposite-sex relations are excluded. If, however, homosexual is defined by an identity label, those who experience same-sex arousal or engage in same-sex behavior but who do not identify as gay or lesbian are omitted. In the biological and health sciences, sexual orientation is usually inferred based on sexual behavior during the past year or since puberty. A single instance of same-sex behavior places an individual in the homosexual category—with little regard for the sexual context, what constitutes sex, the desirability or enjoyment of sex, or the frequency of sex. By contrast, in the psychological and social sciences, sexual orientation is usually determined by sexual identity (gay, lesbian, bisexual, heterosexual). What these terms mean or whether the identity label reflects sexual arousal, behavior, or attraction is seldom explored. Research findings provide few answers regarding which component is most essential to determine sexual orientation, in part because empirical distinctions among them are seldom made. Consumers of research are left uncertain as to whether components are measuring the same or different constructs and whether these distinctions matter. Address correspondence to Ritch C. Savin-Williams, Human Development, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853; e-mail: rcs15@ cornell.edu. CURRENT DIRECTIONS IN PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 40 Volume 15—Number 1 Copyright r 2006 Association for Psychological Science PREVALENCE OF HOMOSEXUALITY Across multiple cultures, age groups, and sexes, rates of homosexuality vary based on which sexual-orientation component is assessed (Table 2). In general, requesting information about attraction elicits the greatest prevalence of homosexuality, occasionally doubling or tripling the proportion of individuals that report same-sex behavior or identify as gay/lesbian/bisexual. In turn, reports of same-sex behavior usually exceed those of homosexual identification. The majority of individuals attracted to their own sex or engaging in same-sex sexual behavior do not identify as homosexual (Laumann, Gagnon, Michael, & Michaels, 1994). This dissimilarity in prevalence rates is further reflected in people’s inconsistent responses to the different components within a study and the instability of their responses over time. Several studies assessed more than one dimension; the resulting correlations ranged from extremely low (0.10) to high (0.79; e.g., Eskin, Kaynak-Demir, & Demir, 2005). Among U.S. adults, just 20% of those who were homosexual on one dimension were homosexual on the other two dimensions; 70% responded in a manner consistent with homosexuality on only one of the three TABLE 1 Components of Sexual Orientation and Example Questions for Assessment Component Definition Questions Sexual/romantic attraction Attraction toward one sex or the desire to have sexual relations or to be in a primary loving, sexual relationship with one or both sexes ‘‘On a scale of 1 to 4, where 1 is very appealing and 4 is not at all appealing, how would you rate each of these activities: . . . having sex with someone of the same sex?’’ (Laumann, Gagnon, Michael, & Michaels, 1994, p. 293) ‘‘Have you ever had a romantic attraction to a male? Have you ever had a romantic attraction to a female?’’ (Udry & Chantala, 2005, p. 484) Sexual behavior ‘‘Any mutually voluntary activity with another person that involves genital contact and sexual excitement or arousal, that is, feeling really turned on, even if intercourse or orgasm did not occur’’ (Laumann et al., 1994, p. 67) ‘‘Have you ever had a relationship with someone of your own sex which resulted in sexual orgasm?’’ (Eskin, Kaynak-Demir, & Demir, 2005, p. 188) Sexual identity Personally selected, socially and historically bound labels attached to the perceptions and meanings individuals have about their sexuality ‘‘Pick from these six options: gay or lesbian; bisexual, but mostly gay or lesbian; bisexual, equally gay/lesbian and heterosexual; bisexual, but mostly heterosexual; heterosexual; and uncertain, don’t know for sure.’’ (D’Augelli, Hershberger, & Pilkington, 2001, p. 252) ‘‘Do you think of yourself as heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, or something else?’’ (Laumann et al., 1994, p. 293) Note. Sexual Orientation is the preponderance of erotic arousals, feelings, fantasies, and behaviors one has for males, females, or both.