Study says there is no one 'gay gene,' but thousands of genetic variants linked to homosexuality

Before the anti-LGBTQ industry has the opportunity to twist this study, we should get abreast of all the facts.

From Reuters:

A large scientific study into the biological basis of sexual behaviour has confirmed there is no single “gay gene” but that a complex mix of genetics and environment affects whether a person has same-sex sexual partners. 

The research, which analysed data on DNA and sexual experiences from almost half a million people, found there are thousands of genetic variants linked to same-sex sexual behaviour, most with very small effects. 

Five of the genetic markers were “significantly” associated with same-sex behaviour, the researchers said, but even these are far from being predictive of a person’s sexual preferences. 

“We scanned the entire human genome and found a handful - five to be precise - of locations that are clearly associated with whether a person reports in engaging in same-sex sexual behaviour,” said Andrea Ganna, a biologist at the Institute of Molecular Medicine in Finland who co-led the research. 

He said these have “a very small effect” and, combined, explain “considerably less than 1% of the variance in the self-reported same-sex sexual behaviour.” 

This means that non-genetic factors - such as environment, upbringing, personality, nurture - are far more significant in influencing a person’s choice of sexual partner, just as with most other personality, behavioural and physical human traits, the researchers said.

The study is significant because it helps to prove that homosexuality is not simply a "behavior" you can switch on and off like a light bulb. But if I know fake experts like the Family Research Council's Peter Sprigg (and I've tracked them enough over years to have some knowledge of their tactics), their talking point will comprise of cherry-picking the study like so:

The study says there is no gay gene, ergo homosexuality is a "learned behavior" which can be "treated."

Of course this is not what the study said, but folks like Sprigg generally don't care.  It's not like this would be the first time Sprigg has cherry-picked science to denigrate us.  So now that you know about the possible deception of this study beforehand, you are prepared for when it comes.

'Former NFL player: There are gay, bisexual players on every team' & other Thur midday news briefs

Former NFL Player: There Are Gay, Bisexual Players On Every Pro Football Team - Yep. So true.

Franklin Graham goes berserk over Taylor Swift and the Equality Act: ‘Pushing LGBTQ agenda down the throats of the American people’ - The hypocrite speaks. 

'These parents’ brilliant plan to protect their kids from fascist protestors should spread nationwide - This was awesome. 

How LGBTQ Wedding Planners Make Big Gay Wedding Dreams Come True- This is so sweet. I love this.

Hate group accidentally makes the case for teaching concepts of sexuality, gender, and same-sex families to children

In an attempt to paint the LGBTQ community as negative and dangerous to children, One News Now, the propaganda site of hate group the American Family Association, showcased a video by Queerly Elementary.

From its webpage:

Queerly Elementary provides professional development, consulting, and classroom lessons to help school communities embrace and celebrate people of all genders and sexualities. Complex, dynamic, and occasionally heated topics are presented in a way that is accessible for all participants, regardless of their previous knowledge or personal views. Services are available for all levels from preschool through university. The founder of Queerly Elementary, Olivia Higgins, leads all workshops, class lessons and consulting. She will take the necessary time to learn about your particular questions, concerns, skills, and challenges, so she may tailor all services to best meet your unique needs.

One News Now showcased the video to accompany a ridiculous article which implies that teachers are being "coerced" to push the alleged "gay agenda" on elementary school children. However, all the video does is simply make a good case as to how the concepts of gender and sexuality - and especially the fact that same-sex families exist - can be taught to elementary school children.

I don't think AFA meant for this to happen, so I doubt anyone will hold it against me for not saying "thank you."

'Couple pushing lawsuit seems to be mostly interested in overturning pro-LGBTQ law' & other Wed midday news breifs

This couple is suing to overturn a civil rights law because they want to discriminate against gays - A "religious liberty" case explained and demonstrates why it's not just about a cake. The couple in question didn't do weddings. They only said they wanted to do weddings to put them in a position to overturn an anti-discrimination law.

Texas group advocates for LGBTI migrants - Wonderful because immigration is an LGBTQ issue.

High school students forced to change out of LGBTQ pride shirts: 'We don't promote that here' - Excuse me? I beg your pardon. 

Poland’s Populist Government Has Declared War on the LGBTQ Community - This is scary.

Fighting in Drag with LGBTQ Pro Wrestlers

Due to how the raging nonsense of the Trump Administration and its attack on the LGBTQ community sometimes renders us drained, from time to time, I like to take a break from calling out the anti-LGBTQ industry and feature videos which focus on comedic or unusually educational aspects of our community. I usually do this on Sunday, but today I found this incredible video, courtesy of the Youtube channel VICE Identity  and I had to share it.

Simultaneously, pro wrestling has a history of homoeroticism and homophobia. Images of muscular men in tights staging theatrical fights mixed with angles featuring extremely flaming villains (Gorgeous George, Exotic Adrian Street, Adorable Adrian Adonis) designed to inflame audiences have been a hallmark of  the industry for as long as I can remember. However, a new troupe of pro wrestlers have decided to turn this dynamic on its head and I rather like it.

 From the video:

For these drag wrestlers, there’s more at stake in the ring than a championship belt. Many LGBTQ wrestlers such as Rick Cataldo (aka “The Boy Diva”) and Jason Dewhurst (“The Samoan Wrestling Diva”) faced bullying and ridicule early on, but at their drag wrestling shows, they get to bring queer visibility to the ring in a friendly showdown.

Vice Identity also has a impressive web page of videos focusing on crucial issues such as race, gender, and sexual orientation. You should check it out. 

'Gay man's neighbors show their support after he receives death threats' & other Mon midday news briefs

A gay man got a death threat when he flew a rainbow flag. His neighbors’ reaction is amazing. - Wonderful story of having someone's back.

When Transgender Travelers Walk Into Scanners, Invasive Searches Sometimes Wait on the Other Side - What happened to Olivia is a damn shame. It shouldn't happen to ANYONE at all.

Liberty Counsel Issues Money Beg To Defend Kim Davis - Forget it! 

The treachery of gay Republicans - Preach!!

Hate group doubles down on falsely blaming trans community for heterosexual man's crime

The anti-LGBTQ industry tries so hard to make our community the villains in American society that they will blame us for crimes we had nothing to do with.

Hate group the American Family Association has been attacking Target for a number of years because of its policy of allowing customers to use bathrooms and restrooms which match their gender identity. By exploiting the "transgender bathroom predator" lie, AFA gained a lot of media attention, lots of signatures on a petition seeking to shame Target, and probably lots of donations.

But it would seem that all of those things are running dry for the group. Why else would it be sending folks the following email:

It happened again. Target's dangerous policy of allowing men to enter women's dressing rooms has resulted in possible sexual crimes against female customers – both women and underage girls. 

In May, Sean Anderson was allegedly arrested for taking pictures of undressed females after drilling holes in women's dressing rooms in several Target stores in Pennsylvania.
After his arrest, police searched through Anderson's phone and found 56 images of women, 12 of whom were without tops and one who was completely unclothed. They also found six images of young girls who were either partially or totally undressed, investigators said. 

Here's the rub. Anderson allegedly drilled the holes on a prior visit. Target knew the holes were in the dressing rooms and knew that these holes allowed for "Peeping Toms" to spy on women undressing. Rather than protecting female customers by prohibiting men from the area, Target merely plugged the holes and continued to let men enter without restriction. 

With something as simple as a ballpoint pen, Anderson returned and pushed the plugs out of the holes and used his phone’s camera to continue his disgusting crime of violating the privacy of Target's female customers over and over again. 

Target had the ability to completely prevent this type of crime, yet it didn't. Target still has the ability to prevent this type of crime 100% of the time, yet it won't. 

The bottom line is this: People who shop at Target and use its restrooms or dressing rooms are at risk for sexual exploitation.

AFA's rendition of the situation is mostly accurate, except for one huge and easily recognizable flaw. The situation had absolutely nothing to do with Target's policy or the transgender community at all.  The incident took place last week and almost instantaneously, AFA began exploiting it. LGBTQNation caught wind of the nonsense and said the following:

Most Target dressing rooms aren’t gendered already since they’re normally only for one person and Anderson did not enter a “women’s” dressing room by pretending to be a transgender person. What Anderson did is a crime and is being treated as such. But that crime had nothing to do with transgender people.  

 “As AFA has stated many times, our worries do not stem from fear of the transgender community, but rather from both the real and potential threat that predators and voyeurs would take advantage of the Target restroom policy to harm women and children — and there are plenty of incidents to show that they have,” Tim Wildmon, the group’s president, said in a statement sent to LGBTQ Nation.

Wildmon's statement is an inane cop-out because as LGBTQNation pointed out, Anderson didn't take advantage of Target's policy to commit his crime. He entered the dressing room as a heterosexual man and drilled holes. When Target employees noticed the holes in the changing room, they caulked them over. My guess is that no one from the store knew who created the holes but in caulking them, they recognized the danger they presented. It's rather shady that AFA tries to accuse the store of wrongdoing even about the detail regarding the holes.

But the main problem seems to be that when being called out for the ridiculous attack on the transgender community by LGBTQNation (and The Advocate), AFA chose to double down with its deception regarding Target's policy.

It's rather embarrassing enough to be proven a liar, but to double down on the lie after being shown to be wrong is simply tacky.  But if any group has rightfully earned this embarrassment, it's the American Family Association.