Born This Way: An analysis of genetic variants associated with homosexuality

​Illustration by Jaina Modi

By Noah Proctor

“I’m beautiful in my way, cuz’ God makes no mistakes, I’m on the right track, baby, I was born this way!”

My hairbrush handle is no stranger to these lyrics. In her 2011 chart-topper, Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” serves as an anthem for members of the LGBTQ+ community, effectively advocating for self-liberation and acceptance—that no matter gay, straight, or bi, lesbian, transgender life, we all share the same DNA. Hold on, same DNA?

Despite Gaga’s declaration, we can’t be certain that homosexual tendencies are completely detached from genetic variations. In fact, some studies confirm genetic linkages to homosexuality, while others point to environmental and conditioning experiences. How do we make sense of this? Let's explore the human genome, demystify misconceptions about genetic variants associated with homosexuality, and answer the key question: Are we born this way?

The first significant study of genetic variants related to homosexuality was in 1993, when geneticist, Dean Hamer, published a study using pedigree and linkage analysis of families with homosexual men. The study found a greater prevalence of same-sex orientation among maternal uncles and male cousins, but not paternal relatives, suggesting X-linked genetic influence in some cases. DNA linkage analysis of families with multiple gay brothers further revealed a correlation between homosexuality and markers on the X chromosome, particularly in the Xq28 region (a band of the chromosome), with a high statistical confidence level indicating that genetics play a role in a subtype of male sexual orientation. This is what scientists had been tirelessly searching for: the gay gene. Although these findings were compelling, the results of the study were debunked, as more advanced genome technology gave rise to new evidence suggesting homosexuality can’t be simplified to a single gene. 

The social controversy surrounding homosexuality and religious qualms thrust the study into the spotlight, sparking backlash over its scientific legitimacy. Biologists were skeptical that one gene could have such a profound effect on sexuality, and evolutionary theorists questioned how such a gene could become established when it rivals reproductive success. 

In the early 2000s, Simon LeVay—a British neuroscientist—built on Hamer’s work, similarly concluding that homosexuality has a biological basis, but using more advanced methods. In his study, LeVay concluded that male rats with higher amounts of androgenic hormones are more likely to engage in sexual activity with male rats, which further supports the conclusion. He was on the right track (baby), but his findings have been met with criticism from other scholars—namely those who denied the relationship between genetics and homosexuality entirely. 

Paul Cameron is an American psychologist famous for his research on homosexuality. His 2004 paper argued that homosexuality was much more than a biological component; it’s a result of factors such as early homosexual experiences, family abnormality, and cultural experiences. His analysis showed that over two-thirds of men who engaged in homosexual experiences in their youth continued such behavior as an adult. Later in his career, Cameron had stripped legitimacy of his study due to his association with the Family Research Institute—a conservative organization that aims to preserve America’s traditional familial framework (Jacobs, 2012). This implicates quite an obvious conflict of interest with his research. Although Cameron’s practices and implicit bias resulted in the removal of this research from the scientific sphere, there are other studies that continue to suggest that homosexuality is, in part, caused by sociological phenomena, as some classify it as “deviant behavior”. Further research even suggests that having gay parents leads to a higher likelihood of homosexuality in their children (Morrison, 2025). This further complicates the discussion: can homosexuality be attributed to a combination of both genetic and environmental factors?

Don’t hide yourself in regret. The most prominent and empirically accepted research to date was released in 2019 by Dr. Andrea Ganna (et. al.), whose work isolated potential sources of sexuality within chromosomal components. The study of over 477,000 people found that same-sex sexual behavior has a complex genetic component, with 8-25% of the variation in behavior potentially linked to genetics, though genetic factors differ between men and women and cannot predict an individual's behavior. Moreover, the study revealed that genetic influences on same-sex and opposite-sex behavior are not on a single continuum, highlighting the complex interplay of genetic and other factors in human sexuality.

So, are we really born this way? The evidence is murky. While there are common misconceptions about the existence of a “gay gene,” there is no such factor that can be isolated within the human genome. Despite the ambiguity, further development in technology is pointing researchers toward more clarity: there are certainly biological factors that contribute to homosexuality. To get a clearer picture and more concrete answers, further research is crucial, as clarity of genetics concerning homosexuality could aid in the broader fight for acceptance.

References
Cameron, P. (2004). Homosexuality is not biologically determined. In A. Ojeda (Ed.), Opposing Viewpoints: Homosexuality. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press.

Ganna, A., Verwegi, K., Nivard, M., & Maier, R. (2019, August 30). Large-scale GWAS reveals insights into the genetic architecture of same-sex sexual behavior. PubMed. Retrieved October 8, 2025, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31467194/

Germanotta, S. (2011). Born This Way [Film]. Factory Films.

Hamer DH, Hu S, Magnuson VL, Hu N, Pattatucci AM. A linkage between DNA markers on the X chromosome and male sexual orientation. Science. 1993 Jul 16;261(5119):321-7. doi: 10.1126/science.8332896. PMID: 8332896.

​Jacobs, H. (2012, May 13). Don't ask, don't tell, don't publish. National Library of Medicine.

Morrison, T. G. (2025, August 6). (PDF) Children of homosexuals and transsexuals more apt to be homosexual: A reply to Cameron. ResearchGate. 

LeVay, S. A Difference in Hypothalamic Structure Between Heterosexual and Homosexual Men.Science253,1034-1037(1991).DOI:10.1126/science.1887219