What A Gay Day

December 10, 2012

A divide on 'conversion therapy' law

"Two rulings take opposite views. But the law doesn't muzzle opinion; it controls conduct."

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la-ed-gay-conversion-therapy-20121210,0,7593011.story

PUBLISHED: 15:29, 10 December 2012 | UPDATED: 17:02, 10 December 2012

Mormon ex-lesbian on how she's happily married to a man as she tries to free others from 'overwhelming same-sex desires'

"A happily-married Mormon mother of three who, 30 years ago, was living her life as a lesbian, is speaking out about same-sex attraction on a new website created by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Laurie Campbell, 52, who considers her earlier life as a lesbian a sin, hopes to give other Mormons the tools to overcome their homosexual desires by speaking out on her own successful marriage to a man.

She told Deseret News: 'I'm reaching out to those who are not happy with their orientation, who don't want to be gay, and who want to free themselves from overwhelming desires that create conflict.'"

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2245864/Mormon-ex-lesbian-shes-happily-married-man-tries-free-overwhelming-sex-desires.html

December 11th 2012, 1:17 pm

Nigeria pushes “Jail the Gays” bill

"While the world is focused on Uganda’s “Kill the Gays” bill, the Nigerian House of Representatives has unanimously approved even more sweeping and draconian homophobic legislation, the “Jail the Gays” bill. It could become law within weeks."

http://hurryupharry.org/2012/12/11/nigeria-pushes-jail-the-gays-bill/

December 11, 2012

Study finds epigenetics, not genetics, underlies homosexuality

"Epigenetics – how gene expression is regulated by temporary switches, called epi-marks – appears to be a critical and overlooked factor contributing to the long-standing puzzle of why homosexuality occurs. According to the study, published online today in The Quarterly Review of Biology, sex-specific epi-marks, which normally do not pass between generations and are thus "erased," can lead to homosexuality when they escape erasure and are transmitted from father to daughter or mother to son.

From an evolutionary standpoint, homosexuality is a trait that would not be expected to develop and persist in the face of Darwinian natural selection. Homosexuality is nevertheless common for men and women in most cultures. Previous studies have shown that homosexuality runs in families, leading most researchers to presume a genetic underpinning of sexual preference. However, no major gene for homosexuality has been found despite numerous studies searching for a genetic connection."

http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-12-epigenetics-genetics-underlies-homosexuality.html

Scientists claim that homosexuality is not genetic — but it arises in the womb

http://io9.com/5967426/scientists-confirm-that-homosexuality-is-not-genetic--but-it-arises-in-the-womb?post=55128370

Epigenetics might explain evolutionary puzzle of homosexuality

http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/20121111224454data_trunc_sys.shtml

Can Epigenetics Explain Homosexuality? 

http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/33773/title/Can-Epigenetics-Explain-Homosexuality-/

Study: There is no “gay gene”

http://www.salon.com/2012/12/11/study_there_is_no_gay_gene/

What we know—and don't know—about the biology of homosexuality

http://arstechnica.com/science/2012/12/what-we-knowand-dont-knowabout-the-biology-of-homosexuality/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+arstechnica%2Findex+%28Ars+Technica+-+All+content%29

*****

02 October 2013

Ethics: Taboo genetics 

"Probing the biological basis of certain traits ignites controversy. But some scientists choose to cross the red line anyway."

http://www.nature.com/news/ethics-taboo-genetics-1.13858