News: Lesbianism influenced by female sexual “plasticity”

Many factors influence female sexual orientationLesbian.com, June 15, 2012

While studies have indicated that lesbianism is partly attributable to genetics, other contributory factors remain difficult to explain.

A 2011 British study of identical (sharing 100 percent of their DNA) and fraternal (sharing 50 percent of their DNA) twins demonstrated that, all else being equal, genetics do play a part in female sexuality – approximately 25 percent. Other data indicate that in-womb exposure to the male sex hormone androgen also plays a part. But a woman’s orientation is also susceptible to other factors. Cultural influences, positive and negative experiences, and feelings of love or attachment all play a part in what some refer to as female “erotic plasticity.”

University of Utah psychologist Lisa Diamond explains that, as a result, women are far more likely than men to “report remarkably late and abrupt onset of same-sex sexuality, often after heterosexual marriage.”

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