Is there an age by which people realize their sexual orientation?
PRO (yes)
CON (no)
The American Psychological Association, in the "Answers to Your Questions About Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality" section of its website (accessed Dec. 7, 2004), stated:
"Sexual orientation emerges for most people in early adolescence without any prior sexual experience."
The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS), in the report titled "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth Issues" on its website (accessed Dec. 15, 2004), stated:
"During adolescence, young people tend to experience their first adult erotic feelings, experiment with sexual behaviors, and develop a strong sense of their own gender identity and sexual orientation...
A national survey of 1,752 college students found:
48% of self-identified gay and bisexual college students became aware of their sexual preference in high school while 26% found their true sexuality in college
20% of self-identified gay and bisexual men knew that they were gay or bisexual in junior high school, and 17% said they knew in grade school
6% of self-identified gay or bisexual women knew that they were gay or bisexual in junior high school, and 11% knew in grade school."
David Satcher, MD, PhD, former US Surgeon General, in his July 9, 2001 report titled "The Surgeon General's Call To Action To Promote Sexual Health and Responsible Sexual Behavior," wrote:
"Sexual orientation is usually determined by adolescence, if not earlier, and there is no valid scientific evidence that sexual orientation can be changed."
Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) stated on its website (accessed Aug. 5, 2005):
"Some people say that they have 'felt different' or knew they were attracted to people of the same sex from the time they were very young...
Others do not figure out their sexual orientation or gender identity until they are adolescents or adults.
Often it can take a while for people to put a label to their feelings, or people's feelings may change over time. Understanding our sexuality and gender can be a life-long process, and people shouldn't worry about labeling themselves right away...
The short answer is that you'll know when you know."
The Traditional Values Coalition stated in the "Homosexual Urban Legends" section of its website (accessed Dec. 15, 2004):
"One of the most persistent and culturally damaging Homosexual Urban Legends is the erroneous claim by homosexual activists that they are 'born gay' or that their sexual orientation emerges in early adolescence and is fixed and unchangeable."
The McGill University Student Health Service stated on its webpage (accessed July 31, 2006):
"Realizing that you are gay, lesbian, or bisexual is a not a singular event. It is a process of becoming more aware of your sexual orientation and of accepting it. There is no right age to discover that you are attracted to people of your own sex. Some people understand at a very young age while others do not consider it until much later on in life."
