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homosexuality makes no sense – if we were all gay, the human race would die out. Gay people (being less likely to now reproduce) remove themselves from the gene pool.
    There have been several theories about this. One is that perhaps the gene predisposing people to homosexuality actually poses a benefit in heterosexual people (only sometimes making the person LGB*), and this is why the trait continues to be passed down through generations. Another theory is that gay uncles and aunts tend to dote more on their nieces or nephews, helping to ensure the youngsters’ survival and in that way propagating their own genetic code.
Biological differences between gay and straight
Gay men and straight women have equally proportioned brain hemispheres. Gay women and straight men have slightly larger right hemispheres.
Gay men have slightly longer and thicker winkies. Excellent .
The amygdala of gay men is more responsive to porn than those of straight men. So we have bigger dicks and we’re hornier. Jus’ sayin’.
Finger length ratios may vary between lesbians and straight women. Get combing the streets with a finger ruler, ladies!

A problem I have
    All of these theories seem to have us programmed to be GAY or STRAIGHT from before we were born. I find this very exclusive of bi, curious and queer people.
    Clearly, biology is playing into our sexual preference – but not our lifestyle choices. No gene is going to help you come out, nor is it going to determine what kind of family situation you’re born into. Therefore, environmental factors must play a huge role that shouldn’t be overlooked.
    I imagine a child born into a liberal, accepting family in the UK is far more likely to IDENTIFY as gay or lesbian than a child born into a strict Muslim family in Yemen. You get me?
    Also, I doubt there’s a gene for ‘bored and horny’ or ‘feeling a bit experimental’. I worry that scientists don’t take into account the fluidity or playfulness of sex and sexuality. My advice is to be interested and go ‘Mmmm’ when reading the theories in this chapter but to simply accept that when it comes to sexuality, IT IS HOW IT IS. And that’s fine. Enjoy!
Biological explanations for Transgenderedness
    For many decades, it was thought that being trans was a result of environmental or parental factors. However, the high-profile case of David Reimer (1965–2004) changed things somewhat. Born as a boy and called ‘Bruce’, Reimer was accidentally castrated in a botched circumcision and was raised as a girl. However, David ALWAYS identified as male, suggesting gender cannot be learned – our identity is born with us.
    Modern scientists have found possible genetic causes for transgenderism: both male-to-female (MTF) and female-to-male (FTM) transsexuals have variations in hormone binding genes, while FTM transsexuals may also be lacking some female-only gene distribution patterns.
    Other scientists have found variations in brain structure in both MTF and FTM transsexuals – in both cases, the test subjects have the typical brain patterns of their preferred gender identity.
    Finally, and this is AMAZING, FTM transsexuals often report ‘phantom limb syndrome’ for a penis from childhood, and while cis men who have lost their members DO get phantom penis sensations, MTF patients do NOT. Mind-blowing stuff, right? GHOST WILLIES. (There’s my next YA book sorted.)As with sexuality, I’m not big into biological determinism. We are all free to play with gender.
What have we learned?
    OK, that was a whole lot of science. I hope you feel cleverer; I certainly do. I have summarised about a hundred experiments and studies over the previous five pages. There are tons and tons of research papers and books you can track down if you want more information on this – it is fascinating.
    I think the important thing to take away from this chapter is that we have precious