Temporary Disabled. :) please Go back Am I Gay? Are You Born Gay? Can You Stop Being Gay? www.fgks.org » Address: [go: up one dir, main page] Include Form Remove Scripts Accept Cookies Show Images Show Referer Rotate13 Base64 Strip Meta Strip Title Session Cookies International HIV & AIDS charity DonateFundraising About Us Our Partners Help & Advice Contact Us Facebook Linked in Twitter Newsletter Copyright © AVERT skip to menu Am I Gay? Are You Born Gay? Can You Stop Being Gay? back to top Am I gay? Many people feel attracted to people of the same sex, and wonder whether this means that they are gay. For some people these feelings can be very intense and alienating, whilst some people are more comfortable with these feelings earlier on. Some people who ask themselves the question "am I gay?" are indeed attracted primarily to members of the same sex, and go on to have gay sexual relationships. People sometimes find that their feelings change over time. Some people are bisexual, meaning they are attracted to both men and women, and at different times, have relationships with both. Some people are not attracted to anyone and wonder if this is a sign that they are gay. Often it is only time that will resolve these uncertainties. back to top When do people know that they are gay? You need to install Adobe Flash player to view AVERT's videos. Click on the logo below to install Flash player. Rugby star Gareth Thomas talks about why he's come out as a gay man. There is no simple answer to this question, as it varies from person to person. Becoming aware of gay or bi-sexual feelings often happens gradually, it may not be something you can initially put a name to, and it can feel very confusing. During research carried out with young gay men in the UK,1 the men interviewed described a set of feelings which they gradually realised made them 'different' in some way, feelings they thought maybe every teenage boy has. “I thought, well, this is just the phase bit. Sooner or later I'm going to start finding women attractive. I never did. As I became more attracted to men, and I still wasn't getting attracted to women, I thought, shit, you're gay. And it was really quite a shock when it hit me.”Luke With time, someone who is gay will realise that not only are they sexually attracted to members of the same sex, but that this attraction is not transitional, or as often described 'just a phase'. This realisation could come at any time during their lives. Many people become aware of gay feelings during their teenage years, as this is when they begin to learn more about their sexuality and identity.2 However, the difficulties associated with accepting these feelings and coming out mean that many gay people don't identify themselves as gay until later on in life. "After college I spent nearly 15 years trying to deny to myself who I was...a gay man. Finally, at age 38 I began to accept the fact that I was gay."3 back to top Are you born gay? What causes people to be gay? You need to install Adobe Flash player to view AVERT's videos. Click on the logo below to install Flash player. Are people born gay or do they choose to be gay? There is no simple answer to the question, 'Are some people born lesbian or gay?' There are some theories that stress biological differences between heterosexual and homosexual adults, suggesting that people are born with their sexuality already determined. The American researcher Dean Hamer published research that seemed to prove that homosexual orientation could be genetically transmitted to men on the x chromosome, which they get from their mothers. However when this study was duplicated it did not produce the same results. A follow-up study which Hamer collaborated on also failed to reinforce his earlier results.4 Subsequent research published by George Rice and George Ebers of the Universty of Western Ontario has cast doubt on Hamer's theory. Rice and Ebers' research also tested the same region of the x chromosome in a larger sample of gay men, but failed to find the same 'marker' that Hamer's research had found.5 Claims that the part of the brain known as the hypothalamus is influential in determining sexual orientation, have yet to be substantiated.6 “How can science tell you what I am? I mean I've had boyfriends, and was happy with them, had girlfriends and may have boyfriends again for all I know. If it's a gay gene what's going on? Is it just turning itself on and off in my head? It doesn't feel like biology it feels like love.”Jo Psycho-social explanations offer a variety of factors that could contribute to the development of a person's homosexuality. For example, a female dominated upbringing in a gay man's past, with an absence of a male role model. Others stress adherence or deviance from conformity to gender roles, and individual psychological makeup.7 While none of these factors alone completely answers the question 'what causes homosexuality?', they rule out some things. For example, lesbian and gay young people are not 'failed' heterosexuals. Also, homosexual partners are generally of the same age proving wrong the assumptions that young people are 'turned gay' by older people. What is clear is that people's behaviour is influenced by their family environment, their experiences and their sense of themselves. Beliefs about sex are initially shaped by family values. Later on these beliefs may be shaped by pleasant and unpleasant experiences of sex and also shape their choice of activities and partners. Throughout their life a person's sense of who and what they are has a strong impact on their sexual development and experience. back to top Can you stop being gay? There is now growing general support for the belief that sexuality is pre-determined, though may change over time. However, many people are interested in whether sexuality can be altered solely by a person's desire to change. Organisations that claim to help homosexuals attempt to change their sexuality can be generally divided between those that use psychological 'reparative' methods and those that use religious 'healing' methods. Some people believe homosexuality is an illness and believe it can and should be cured. Many of these 'cures' revolve around psychological therapies (often called reparative therapy) which endeavour to re-orient a homosexual sexuality to heterosexual. Although there is little scientific data to evaluate, what is available seems to indicate that reparative therapy is ineffective.8 The American Psychological Association (APA), the world's largest association of psychologists has stated that: “Homosexuality is not a mental disorder and the APA opposes all portrayals of lesbian, gay and bisexual people as mentally ill and in need of treatment due to their sexual orientation.”9 As with reparative therapy there has been little to no scientific evaluation of the healing and prayer techniques used to attempt to change people. What evidence is available suggests that the success of these techniques is restricted to three areas: Convincing bisexual people to limit their sexual activities to members of the opposite sex. Convincing homosexual people to become celibate. Convincing gay men and lesbian women to attempt to maintain heterosexual relationships, whilst retaining their homosexual orientation. Tellingly, two founders of a ministry established to 'heal' homosexuals later described their programme as 'ineffective ... not one person was healed'.10 The subject of 'curing' homosexuality became a politically charged debate in America, with Christian political organisations promoting the theory that homosexuality can be changed through force of will alone. They claim that 'thousands are leaving their homosexual identity for sexual celibacy, and even marriage'.11 Alternatively, gay and lesbian rights organisations would argue that these views misunderstand what it means to be gay, and amount to discrimination against gay and lesbian people. Furthermore, the American Psychological Association has carried out a systematic review, which not only concludes that psychological interventions are not effective at changing sexual orientation, but they can also cause significant harm.12 email print tweet more Where Next? AVERT.org has more about: Gay and lesbian Coming out Resources for people who are gay, lesbian or unsure Young gay Back to top Sign up to our Newsletter Donate Source back to top AVERT, "Talking about Homosexuality in the Secondary School" [PDF] References back to top AVERT (1996), 'Young gay men and HIV infection' USA Today (2007, 2nd November), 'Gay teens coming out earlier to friends and family'. CNN (2009, December), 'Everyone's timetable is different'. Hamer D et al (1993), 'A linkage between DNA markers on the X chromosome and male sexual orientation' Science 261(5119). Rice G et al (1999, April), 'Male homosexuality: absence of linkage to microsatellite markers at Xq28' Science 284(5414) Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (2006), 'homosexuality'. O'Leary (1998, May), 'Childhood experiences of homosexual men'. American Psychological Association (2009), 'Report of the American Psychological Association Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation'. American Psychological Association, 'Resolution on Appropriate Affirmative Responses to Sexual Orientation Distress and Change Efforts'. Religious Tolerance (2009), 'Reparative therapy & transformational ministries: estimates of success rates'. Religious Tolerance (2006), 'Reparative and other therapies for homosexuals'. American Psychological Association (2009), 'Report of the American Psychological Association Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation'. english español back to content home pageHIV & AIDS Topics EpidemicGlobal EpidemicAIDS & HIV Around the WorldAIDS : What is AIDS? 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More than 2,400 young people are newly infected with HIV every day, accounting for 40% of new adult infections. Involving youth in the HIV response is key to lowering new HIV infections among the next generation and the role of technology in doing this is now clearer than ever. A sneak preview of results from an AVERT survey, due to be released on International Youth Day 2013 - 12 August, show that most young people prefer to get their sexual health and HIV/AIDS information online or via mobile, as it's quicker, confidential and cheap. But not all youth are the same, we've found regional variations in the type of technology young people prefer - with 67% of respondents from Africa using mobile phones for health information, compared to just 31% in Europe. To commemorate International Youth Day 2013 - 12 August, share your experiences with others by sending AVERT your story. Raise HIV awareness among youth, check out the hints, tips and quizzes below and share them with your friends. 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Many people feel attracted to people of the same sex, and wonder whether this means that they are gay. For some people these feelings can be very intense and alienating, whilst some people are more comfortable with these feelings earlier on. Some people who ask themselves the question "am I gay?" are indeed attracted primarily to members of the same sex, and go on to have gay sexual relationships. People sometimes find that their feelings change over time.
Some people are bisexual, meaning they are attracted to both men and women, and at different times, have relationships with both. Some people are not attracted to anyone and wonder if this is a sign that they are gay. Often it is only time that will resolve these uncertainties.
You need to install Adobe Flash player to view AVERT's videos. Click on the logo below to install Flash player.
Rugby star Gareth Thomas talks about why he's come out as a gay man.
There is no simple answer to this question, as it varies from person to person. Becoming aware of gay or bi-sexual feelings often happens gradually, it may not be something you can initially put a name to, and it can feel very confusing.
During research carried out with young gay men in the UK,1 the men interviewed described a set of feelings which they gradually realised made them 'different' in some way, feelings they thought maybe every teenage boy has.
“I thought, well, this is just the phase bit. Sooner or later I'm going to start finding women attractive. I never did. As I became more attracted to men, and I still wasn't getting attracted to women, I thought, shit, you're gay. And it was really quite a shock when it hit me.”Luke
With time, someone who is gay will realise that not only are they sexually attracted to members of the same sex, but that this attraction is not transitional, or as often described 'just a phase'. This realisation could come at any time during their lives. Many people become aware of gay feelings during their teenage years, as this is when they begin to learn more about their sexuality and identity.2 However, the difficulties associated with accepting these feelings and coming out mean that many gay people don't identify themselves as gay until later on in life.
"After college I spent nearly 15 years trying to deny to myself who I was...a gay man. Finally, at age 38 I began to accept the fact that I was gay."3
Are people born gay or do they choose to be gay?
There is no simple answer to the question, 'Are some people born lesbian or gay?' There are some theories that stress biological differences between heterosexual and homosexual adults, suggesting that people are born with their sexuality already determined.
The American researcher Dean Hamer published research that seemed to prove that homosexual orientation could be genetically transmitted to men on the x chromosome, which they get from their mothers. However when this study was duplicated it did not produce the same results. A follow-up study which Hamer collaborated on also failed to reinforce his earlier results.4
Subsequent research published by George Rice and George Ebers of the Universty of Western Ontario has cast doubt on Hamer's theory. Rice and Ebers' research also tested the same region of the x chromosome in a larger sample of gay men, but failed to find the same 'marker' that Hamer's research had found.5 Claims that the part of the brain known as the hypothalamus is influential in determining sexual orientation, have yet to be substantiated.6
“How can science tell you what I am? I mean I've had boyfriends, and was happy with them, had girlfriends and may have boyfriends again for all I know. If it's a gay gene what's going on? Is it just turning itself on and off in my head? It doesn't feel like biology it feels like love.”Jo
Psycho-social explanations offer a variety of factors that could contribute to the development of a person's homosexuality. For example, a female dominated upbringing in a gay man's past, with an absence of a male role model. Others stress adherence or deviance from conformity to gender roles, and individual psychological makeup.7 While none of these factors alone completely answers the question 'what causes homosexuality?', they rule out some things. For example, lesbian and gay young people are not 'failed' heterosexuals. Also, homosexual partners are generally of the same age proving wrong the assumptions that young people are 'turned gay' by older people.
What is clear is that people's behaviour is influenced by their family environment, their experiences and their sense of themselves. Beliefs about sex are initially shaped by family values. Later on these beliefs may be shaped by pleasant and unpleasant experiences of sex and also shape their choice of activities and partners. Throughout their life a person's sense of who and what they are has a strong impact on their sexual development and experience.
There is now growing general support for the belief that sexuality is pre-determined, though may change over time. However, many people are interested in whether sexuality can be altered solely by a person's desire to change. Organisations that claim to help homosexuals attempt to change their sexuality can be generally divided between those that use psychological 'reparative' methods and those that use religious 'healing' methods.
Some people believe homosexuality is an illness and believe it can and should be cured. Many of these 'cures' revolve around psychological therapies (often called reparative therapy) which endeavour to re-orient a homosexual sexuality to heterosexual. Although there is little scientific data to evaluate, what is available seems to indicate that reparative therapy is ineffective.8 The American Psychological Association (APA), the world's largest association of psychologists has stated that:
“Homosexuality is not a mental disorder and the APA opposes all portrayals of lesbian, gay and bisexual people as mentally ill and in need of treatment due to their sexual orientation.”9
As with reparative therapy there has been little to no scientific evaluation of the healing and prayer techniques used to attempt to change people. What evidence is available suggests that the success of these techniques is restricted to three areas:
Tellingly, two founders of a ministry established to 'heal' homosexuals later described their programme as 'ineffective ... not one person was healed'.10
The subject of 'curing' homosexuality became a politically charged debate in America, with Christian political organisations promoting the theory that homosexuality can be changed through force of will alone. They claim that 'thousands are leaving their homosexual identity for sexual celibacy, and even marriage'.11
Alternatively, gay and lesbian rights organisations would argue that these views misunderstand what it means to be gay, and amount to discrimination against gay and lesbian people. Furthermore, the American Psychological Association has carried out a systematic review, which not only concludes that psychological interventions are not effective at changing sexual orientation, but they can also cause significant harm.12
english español
Play our games to test your knowledge and skills, while learning new facts. See how much you know about HIV/AIDS and sexual health, with our AIDS Game, Sex Education Game, Pregnancy Game and Condom Game. Use your mouse to collect the right letters while avoiding the baddies for a chance to appear on our HI-scores table.
Give our games a try now, and see how well you can do!
Our media gallery contains hundreds of HIV and AIDS related photos, videos and graphics. You can have a look around, use the search feature, or take a look at some photo selections.
Try our quizzes to test your knowledge on all aspects of sexual health and HIV and AIDS. We have a Sex Quiz, Pregnancy Quiz, Condom Quiz and an HIV and AIDS Quiz.
Just a beginner? Then try the quizzes' easy levels. Think you're an expert? Well try the hard quizzes.
I went through kind of a phase shift from just getting feelings towards this one guy, to be being confused and feeling kind of bi... - Submitted by Wesley Read more >>
Giving young people a platform to share their thoughts and experiences raises awareness among their peers and gives an invaluable insight into the needs of this high-risk group. More than 2,400 young people are newly infected with HIV every day, accounting for 40% of new adult infections.
Involving youth in the HIV response is key to lowering new HIV infections among the next generation and the role of technology in doing this is now clearer than ever.
A sneak preview of results from an AVERT survey, due to be released on International Youth Day 2013 - 12 August, show that most young people prefer to get their sexual health and HIV/AIDS information online or via mobile, as it's quicker, confidential and cheap. But not all youth are the same, we've found regional variations in the type of technology young people prefer - with 67% of respondents from Africa using mobile phones for health information, compared to just 31% in Europe.
To commemorate International Youth Day 2013 - 12 August, share your experiences with others by sending AVERT your story. Raise HIV awareness among youth, check out the hints, tips and quizzes below and share them with your friends.