In Nancy Suby-Bohn’s March 3 letter to the editor, “Evidence for ‘gay gene’ theory lacking,” she claimed that a person cannot be born gay, as a specific gene has not been isolated that may “cause” homosexuality.

I would like to refute this by stating that I was, in fact, born gay. Based upon the Web site you referred to (narth.com), you may argue that I am not in my right mind, that I am simply suppressing a heartbreaking memory of my childhood that would differentiate me from a heterosexual.

I was raised in a healthy and happy home. There is nothing in my past that “made” me gay, there is no horrible repressed memory locked in my subconscious. I was not the victim of sexual abuse, violence or anything else you suggested. I had a happy, normal childhood and no environmental factor caused me to deviate from societal norms.

According to narth.com (which stands for the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality), there is no “gay gene” and reports of its existence in 1993 were false. The findings, according to the Web site, were nothing more than coincidence. But further research, even at your suggested Web site, reveals another theory.

A study in April 2002 showed a link between chemical hormone exposure in the uterus and homosexual attraction in adulthood. It may not be a gene that is responsible for homosexuality, but natural hormones released by the mother during pregnancy that change the way genes are activated. Therefore, a child can be born gay, even though their genetic blueprints may be perfect.

Your suggested Web site is one that urges homosexuals to seek therapy and rehabilitation, as if there is something inherently wrong with being a little different. I, however, don’t think that I need to be “fixed” of my homosexuality. I am a well-rounded, contributing citizen and a productive member of society. There is nothing wrong with me for being born a lesbian.

Personally, I hope a gay gene is never found. The idea of being able to “fix” someone by means of gene therapy is scary to me and many others. Who knows whether “fixing” someone by altering their gay gene would become a reality.

I will go on living my life happily and healthily, being out to myself and the rest of the world. And I will continue to inform others of the only choice I have made: To live my life according to my inherent feelings and desires.

Laura Rusk

Senior

Exercise and Sport Science