Transsexualism vs. homosexuality

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So...it cut off my first option for some reason. For "Both are biological," just select either, "God did it," or, "The aliens did it," depending upon whether you believe in the former.

I actually don't like any of the answers, so I chose "aliens did it".

Sexual orientation is evidently either immutable or very nearly so in adults, but it's not really clear that this implies a biological determinant. Also, the causal factors might be partially biological, partially social, or something like that. It might not have the same mechanism in each sex for that matter. Women seem to be bisexual more often than men, who more often seem to be attracted to just one sex. If I had to guess, I'd say that biology (though not purely genetic) factors probably play the largest role.

With gender identity (or at least gender-related psychological traits), there's strong evidence that there's a large biological component, but of course there's a cultural overlay that is socially constructed. It's become fashionable to insist that the entire thing is a social construct, but this seems to be mostly just an piece of dogma.

I don't know of any data that could really address the roots of transsexualism as such, though.

I think you should've added Other on your poll. It's a little bias since it's either one or the other. Although, no one can verify or prove it's genetic "yet", I tend to lean on that stance since they're both usually looked down upon in many societies and people.

Aliens?

Maybe.

Transsexualism isn't genetic. There is no evidence whatsoever supporting this hypothesis. It may, however, be biological, and there seems to be strong evidence pointing to brain morphology as a possible cause.

I'm glad I saw your first post...

I was wondering why there wasn't a 'biological for both' option.
Since I am spiritual... I just voted that GOD did it

I would say that both are abberations of some kind. I don't pretend to understand the causes & conditions giving rise to each. Biological, genetic, domestic, cultural, societal, etc.

Transpeople are here, right now
Gays are here, right now.

I'm not going to obsess on thier origin as unique individuals. As an abberation myself, I don't believe that is the most important thing about an individual, how they happened. But it is damned interesting. You can't help but wonder.

BTW Griff I avoided your poll questions since there's probably no right answer.

I think both can be a mix of learned and biological.