...suggesting same-sex attraction has a biological basis!

New research shows having a greater number of older brothers increases the probability of a person entering a same-sex union at some point in their lives.

This finding, detailed in our paper published today in the Journal of Sex Research, offers a rare insight into the origins of sexual orientation.

The origins of sexual orientation
In recent decades, many countries have achieved remarkable progress towards equal treatment of LGBT people, including greater public support and more protective legislation. But despite these encouraging developments, sexual minorities still experience high levels of stigma – and the origins of sexual orientation remain a matter of debate.

A growing body of research is attempting to shed light on why some people experience same-sex sexual attraction and others don’t. These studies have substantial implications for public opinion and debate, and subsequently the treatment of LGBT people.

For example, we know people who view sexual orientation as a product of biological factors (such as hormones or genetics) are more likely to support sexual minorities and their civil rights, compared to those who view it as a product of social factors or individual choice.

The fraternal birth order effect
The “fraternal birth order effect” is one of the most well-documented patterns supporting a biological origin of human sexual orientation. This longstanding hypothesis proposes men’s propensity for homosexuality increases with the number of older biological brothers they have.

This effect has been attributed to a mother’s immune reaction to proteins produced by a male foetus. The proteins enter the mother’s bloodstream and trigger the production of antibodies that influence the sexual development of subsequent children.

These maternal antibodies accumulate over successive pregnancies with male foetuses, which means men with more older brothers are more likely to experience same-sex sexual attraction.

However, previous research documenting the fraternal birth order effect has relied on small and selective participant samples, which has led some scholars to question the authenticity of the phenomenon. Indeed, no study of a representative population sample has supported its existence – until now.

Our research
Our research used unique data from Dutch population registers. These data allowed us to follow the life trajectories of more than nine million people born between 1940 and 1990.

In previous studies we used this dataset to examine whether the gender of a married couple’s children affected the stability of their union, and to compare the academic performance of children raised by same- and different-sex couples. This time, we used it to provide a robust test of the fraternal birth order effect.

While the data did not contain direct measures of individuals’ sexual orientation, they did indicate whether they ever entered a same-sex marriage or registered partnership. We used this information as a proxy for homosexuality.

In the Netherlands, registered same-sex partnerships have been recognised since 1998, and same-sex marriage since 2001.

What we found
Our results show clear evidence of a fraternal birth order effect on homosexuality. Specifically, men with one older brother are 12% more likely to enter a same-sex union than men with one older sister, and 21% more likely than men with just one younger brother or sister.

The birth order and total number of siblings matter too. Men who are the youngest sibling are more likely to enter a same-sex union than men who are the oldest sibling, and the differences grow larger as the total number of siblings increases.

For example, the probability of a man entering a same-sex union is 41% greater if he has three older brothers, as opposed to three older sisters, and 80% greater than if he has three younger brothers.

The chart below illustrates some of our findings, showing the number of men who entered same-sex unions among those with up to three siblings. The sex of older siblings wields a considerable influence over same-sex union formation. On the other hand, the sex of younger siblings plays little to no role.


Data cover men born in the Netherlands between 1940 and 1990. The underlying statistical model accounts for birth year differences. This rules out the possibility that our results are due to age differences between the groups. Whiskers denote 95% confidence intervals. Author provided

Unlike earlier studies which focused almost exclusively on men, we documented the same pattern of results among women. We found women are also more likely to enter a same-sex union if they have older brothers.

This finding yields tentative support to arguments that maternal antibodies and foetal proteins also interact to influence womens’ sexual development.

What does it all mean?
Our results tell a clear and consistent story: the number and sex of one’s siblings play an important role in the development of their sexuality.

This evidence aligns squarely with perspectives that emphasise sexual orientation as an innate trait and a reflection of a person’s true self, rather than a product of “lifestyle choices” or a “fashion trend” as some suggest.

Of course, in an ideal society, the rights and respect people are afforded should not depend on whether their sexual identity is “innate” or “a choice”. But unfortunately, these issues still loom large in contemporary debate, further highlighting the importance of our findings.

A biological basis for human sexuality suggests harmful practices like conversion therapy can’t alter someone’s sexual orientation. It also discredits claims homosexuality can be “taught” (such as through sexual diversity education at schools) or “passed on” (such as through same-sex couples adopting children).

We acknowledge the diverging opinions on the value of research concerning the origins of human sexuality. Some feel such research is irrelevant because the findings should have no bearing on public attitudes or legislation, while others reject it for more hostile reasons.

Like others before us, we consider this research essential. Understanding the mechanisms behind sexual orientation can offer insights into what makes people who they are, and helps normalise the full spectrum of human sexual diversity.

Pride in Seoul, South Korea

One of South Korea’s top courts dismissed a landmark lawsuit that sought to bolster LGBT+ rights by enshrining equal access to healthcare benefits.

The Seoul Administrative Court on Friday (7 January) shrugged off the suit brought forward by So Seong-wook, 30, against the country’s National Health Insurance Service (NHIS).

Filed last year, the service withdrew Seong-wook’s ability to receive spousal benefits under the employer of his partner, Kim Yong-min.

Yong-min had initially been able to register his partner in early 2020 as an independent, which activists say might have been the first example of this in the country.

But months later, the National Health Insurance Service yanked the coverage away following media coverage, United Press International reported.

In a judgement that captures the frustration felt by countless queer South Koreans, the court passed on an opportunity to bolster the rights of LGBT+ people.

It said that it had no legal basis to change the definition of marriage – a move needed to restore the couple’s coverage.

“The union of a man and woman is still considered the fundamental element of marriage, according to civil law, precedents of the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court and the general perception of society,” the judgment read.

While they aren’t legally married, given that marriage equality is not recognised in South Korea, the plaintiffs had argued in the courts that the NHIS often recognises non-married citizens as common-law spouses.

The court, however, disagreed. “Under the current legal system, it is difficult to evaluate the relationship between two people of the same-sex as a common-law relationship,” the judgement added.


LGBT Group members performance with marching parade during an LGBT rally near square in Seoul, South Korea, on 16 July 2017

“Even though the court has left it as a matter of the legislative branch, we will continue to fight until the day our relationship is recognised, Yong-min told reporters, adding that he plans to appeal.

“I believe that love will eventually win.”

As much as LGBT+ South Koreans have made gains in recent years, their growing visibility has touched off opposition from powerful conservative Christian groups, often scuttling proposed pro-LGBT+ laws in the process.

South Korea does not ban homosexuality, but their rights are relatively threadbare.

There are little to no discrimination protections nor recognition of same-sex relationships, razor-thin adoption rights and no ban on conversion therapy.

The nation’s sluggishness in uplifting LGBT+ rights has taken a deep toll on young queer people, activists warned last year.

“Even as domestic public opinion warms to LGBT rights and neighbouring governments take steps toward LGBT equality, however, South Korea’s government has failed to make meaningful progress, citing intense religious and conservative opposition to justify inaction,” Human Rights Watch wrote in a report.

“Korea is falling behind regarding other LGBTI-inclusive laws such as legal provisions explicitly protecting LGBTI individuals against discrimination and violence, or laws addressing the unique challenges faced by same-sex couples.”

Sue Radford has revealed that she is “incredibly proud” of her son Luke, following his decision to come out as gay on 22 Kids and Counting.

The 21-year-old son of Sue and husband Noel is set to open up about his sexuality on their Channel 5 show.

Ahead of the scene, Sue has shared her pride over the “emotional” episode.

A South Carolina man who has been forced to register as a sex offender for having consensual gay sex has launched a legal challenge against the state.

The man, identified as “John Doe”, was convicted under South Carolina’s anti-sodomy or “buggery” law in 2001, according to the Post and Courier.

The Lawrence v Texas Supreme Court ruling in 2003 invalidated all remaining sodomy laws across the US, but many states, including South Carolina, still have the defunct laws on their books.

Doe was pardoned for his “crime” in 2006 but is still required to register as a sex offender, according to a lawsuit which names state attorney general Alan Wilson and chief of South Carolina law enforcement Mark Keel as defendants.

The lawsuit states: “He suffers severely under the sex offender label, which involves the state in the daily management of his life.”

It explains that Doe must report twice a year in person to register as a sex offender, providing a “encyclopedic” amount of personal information before being listed on a publicly available database, and failure to register can result in fines and prison time.

“As a result of defendants’ unlawful conduct, Doe is suffering harm, including embarrassment, humiliation, shame, fear, loss of opportunity (including, but not limited to, career, professional, economic, housing, educational, and social opportunities), and stigma,” the lawsuit adds.

Two other states impose sex offender registration for people convicted under sodomy laws – Mississippi and Idaho – and according to the lawsuit, there are currently at least 18 other people required to register as sex offenders because of prosecutions under South Carolina’s buggery law.

Doe is demanding that not only is he removed from the sex offender register, but that all others in the state are no longer required to register under the outdated and discriminatory policy.

The federal complaint was filed on Doe’s behalf in the US District Court of South Carolina on 22 December by attorneys Matthew Strugar and Allen Chaney.

'Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever,' says her agent and close friend Jeff Witjas.

An icon of stage and screen, most known for starring inThe Mary Tyler Moore Show, and later The Golden Girls on NBC, has died, just weeks before celebrating her 100th birthday on January 17, 2022.

Citing law enforcement sources, TMZ reported Betty Marion White passed away at her home Friday morning.

"Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever," her agent and close friend Jeff Witjas told PEOPLE on Friday afternoon. "I will miss her terribly and so will the animal world that she loved so much. I don't think Betty ever feared passing because she always wanted to be with her most beloved husband Allen Ludden. She believed she would be with him again."

White played the role of Rose Nylund on The Golden Girls from 1985 to 1992 and reprised in a one-season sitcom spinoff called Golden Palace. She later starred in the TV Land sitcom Hot in Cleveland.

The beloved comedic actress said the key to long life included “having a sense of humor.” And when explaining her status as a gay icon, White said, "Gays love old ladies."

White was an ally of the LGBTQ community, speaking up for gay rights, marriage equality and for lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender youth throughout her longstanding career.

"I don't care who anybody sleeps with," she told Parade magazine in 2010. "If a couple has been together all that time - and there are gay relationships that are more solid than some heterosexual ones - I think it's fine if they want to get married. I don't know how people can get so anti-something. Mind your own business, take care of your affairs, and don't worry about other people so much."

She was also an animal-rights activist all her life. 

The eight-time Emmy Award-winner was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1995.

Born in Oak Park, Illinois, in 1922, White began her career in 1939.

She was married twice, both times briefly, in the late 1940s. White and Ludden remained married until his death in 1983.

10 top international LGBTQ+ news stories of 2021

December 31, 2021 By  Michael K. Lavers

The Biden administration’s pledge to champion LGBTQ rights abroad was the dominant international story in 2021, but anti-LGBTQ crackdowns and efforts to expand rights also made headlines around the world over the past year. Here are the top 10 international stories of 2021.


https://www.losangelesblade.com/2021/12/...s-of-2021/

Rob Brydon has revealed that he believes his most famous character might have been gay.

The Welshman starred as the much-loved Bryn West in the hit series Gavin and Stacey for over a decade.

But while not much is known about the eccentric uncle's background, Brydon has now opened upon about his thoughts on the character's sexuality.

Speaking on the 'Table Manners' podcast, the 56-year-old said that he wouldn't be surprised if Bryn was gay.

He said: "There's a part of me that doesn't want to say anything, because I think it should be in the mind of the audience.

"But it's not ambiguous, is it? I mean, I'd be surprised if Bryn wasn't gay. But I wonder if he's just never acted on it?

"They've [the show's producers] never said to me [if he was gay or not] - it's just what's there in the script.


Rob Brydon says he thinks Uncle Bryn was gay.

"But, I mean, the way he gazes at Larry Lamb, at Mick, though he's a lovely looking boy..."

Brydon said, though, that it's all about interpretation and what they see in Bryn is up to the fans.

He added: "I think it's for the audience to decide for themselves."

Aside from his sexuality, one aspect of Uncle Bryn's life that has had viewers scratching their heads ever since it was first mentioned in the series is, of course, the infamous 'fishing trip' with Jason.

What really happened?

Well, even though the show has wrapped up a few loose ends since it finished, the answer has never been revealed.

Speaking about the mystery earlier this year, Brydon said even he wasn't certain.


What happened with Bryn and Jason on THAT trip?

The actor told a huge crowd at a Carfest at Laverstoke Park Farm in Hampshire: "That bloody fishing trip, it haunt me."

He continued: "Look, I don't know.

"All I know are the clues that were in the show.

"It was very cold, it defied gravity, and it's legal in some countries."

Thanks for that, Rob.

Not even the stars of the show portraying the characters know what writers James Corden and Ruth Jones had in mind.

Some have suggested that the plan was eventually to reveal what went on, but that they decided it was better to keep it as a mystery.


Uncle Bryn is one of the best-loved characters in the BBC comedy.

However, others have said that there was never any plan to reveal what took place between Bryn and Jason.

One said: "I'm pretty sure that even the cast don't know, that's the whole joke is that nobody knows."

Another said: "For those saying they don't know, Ruth [Jones] wrote it and was meant to reveal it in series two but she decided it was better to leave everyone questioning."

I wonder if we'll ever know. Maybe it's best we don't.

Gay Pride Barcelona

Barcelona has won a highly-rated title as the best gay tourism destination outside the United States in this year’s Gay Travel Awards, as recognition of its work in promoting LGBT tourism.

The Gay Travel Awards are widely regarded as the most important awards given to global LGBT tourism initiatives and have been called the Oscars of gay tourism by the Wall Street Journal. Every year they give out their awards to destinations that have made it through their first filter into the finals of the competition and shown themselves to be the best of the best in their categories.

Thousands are present in the first round and are then filtered into hundreds of finalists. Nominees are chosen based on audience recommendations on GayTravel.com and GayTravelAwards.com. Different editors, experts and tens of thousands of public voters have then selected 34 winners in 33 different categories. According to the director of Turisme de Barcelona, Marian Muro, “Barcelona is proud to have been chosen as the non-American destination that best promotes and supports LGBT + tourism. An award that, in short, recognizes the city’s open spirit, inclusiveness and hospitality.”


The award has come after a long programme by Turisme de Barcelona, aiming to define the city as a benchmark in the defence of diversity and the rights of LGBT people. This year alone they have organised several actions to continue promoting the best gay tourism in the city. La Vanguardia reports that the consortium participates in different forums and competitions such as Pride or the IGLTA (International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association) Convention, which is held annually in different cities around the world and brings together agents and suppliers specialized in this sector from more than 80 countries.

As well as working to make Barcelona a welcoming place, the award can help with the economy of the area also. According to an IGLTA study, LGBT people travel three times more than heterosexuals, with a longer stay at the destination and an average spend that is three times higher. Spain receives six million tourists from the LGBT + group who spend proportionally 40% more than the rest.

Norway's When Harry met Santa advert

Christmas ads have become an annual tradition, often appearing as mini-films with their own festive story. But one Norwegian commercial, featuring Father Christmas kissing a man waiting for him at home on Christmas Eve, has become a surprise hit.

In When Harry meets Santa, the four-minute ad by Norway's state-run Posten postal service, the man is seen writing Father Christmas a letter to the North Pole with the message: "All I want for Christmas is you." And he gets his wish.

"We wanted to celebrate the 50-year anniversary since the abolition of a law prohibiting same-sex relationships," says Monica Solberg, Posten's marketing director. The ad has been watched well over two million times online.

"The magnitude of response took us a bit by surprise. We expected a reaction, but not to such an extent."

The ad raised few eyebrows in Norway or in neighbouring Nordic countries, but it has prompted some discussion beyond. As well as praise there has been criticism, with claims that it sexualised Father Christmas or that it showed Santa cheating on Mrs Claus.

In many parts of the world, the idea of a gay Christmas romance would be controversial. A survey on Thursday suggested many in the UK considered a gay Father Christmas "unacceptable" although there was a clear divide in age groups.

Not sure if anyone else saw this but I found out earlier this week, his partner looks cute af



Apparently they've been dating for a while and are now engaged. 

Kal's story