Children of homosexuals and transsexuals more apt to be homosexual

J Biosoc Sci. 2006 May;38(3):413-8. doi: 10.1017/S002193200502674X.

Abstract

Do the sexual inclinations of parents influence those of their children? Of 77 adult children of homosexual parents who volunteered for three different investigations, at least 23 (30%) were currently homosexual: twelve (55%) of 22 daughters and three (21%) of fourteen sons of lesbians; five (29%) of seventeen daughters and three (17%) of eighteen sons of gays; none of six sons with both a gay and a lesbian parent. At least 25 (32%) were currently heterosexual. Of the ten with transsexual parents, one of nine daughters was currently lesbian, one was currently heterosexual, and one was transsexual. The son's sexual preference was not reported. These findings suggest that parents' sexual inclinations influence their children's.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Child
  • Female
  • Gender Identity*
  • Homosexuality, Female*
  • Homosexuality, Male*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Parent-Child Relations*
  • Parents*