Media Reporting and Reference Guide on LGBT Issues

“LGBT people’s children
will definitely become
LGBT as well”.
“LGBT people are born
(or become) LGBT due
to specific reasons/
circumstances”.
“Asexuality does not
exist – asexual people
are just celibates”.
According to the same source, empirical research so far cannot
“support the misconception that having a homosexual parent
has a deleterious effect on children’s gender identity (i.e. one’s
psychological sense of being male or female) development”
<strong>and</strong>, “there is no scientific consensus about the specific factors
that cause an individual to become heterosexual, homosexual,
or bisexual—including possible biological, psychological, or
social effects of the parents’ sexual orientation. The available
evidence indicates that the vast majority of lesbian <strong>and</strong> gay
adults were raised by heterosexual parents <strong>and</strong> the vast majority
of children raised by lesbian <strong>and</strong> gay parents eventually grow
up to be heterosexual” (APA 2010 October 25:22-24).
According to the American Psychological Association:
“There is no consensus among scientists about the exact
reasons that an individual develops a heterosexual, bisexual,
gay or lesbian orientation. Although much research has
examined the possible genetic, hormonal, developmental,
social <strong>and</strong> cultural influences on sexual orientation, no findings
have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual
orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors.
Many think that nature <strong>and</strong> nurture both play complex roles;
most people experience little or no sense of choice about
their sexual orientation” (APA 2008:2).
“Asexuality is not celibacy - celibacy is a choice to abstain from
sexual intimacy while asexuality is an orientation which results
in lack of sexual attraction” (AVEN N.d.b). Moreover, asexuals
can have successful romantic relationships with each other <strong>and</strong>
even with sexual persons. In general: “There are myriad ways
for asexuals to form close bonds <strong>and</strong> relationships with others.
Some asexuals keep close friendships, some enjoy ‘traditional’
(but not sexual) romantic couplings. Others form completely
different, perhaps unique, relationships. Asexuals can be
‘more than friends’ or even consider their relationships ‘closer
than lovers’. Asexuals can be part of traditional couplings, be
a non-sexual loving partner of a polyamorous (loving many)
person or perhaps part of a group marriage or some other non
conventional relationship. (...) There are no rules dictating how
non-sexual love is expressed” (AVEN N.d.b).
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