Gay, straight, and the reasons why

The World

What tendencies are we born with? What is a choice? And does it make you feel better or worse to know that certain things — ranging from weight to our intelligence — are one or the other?

Think, for example of sexual orientation. A lot of people have a lot invested in whether we’re born gay or whether it’s a choice. Is it one or the other? Does it even matter?

We’re joined by two people today who’ve spent much of their professional careers investigating this question. They’ve looked closely at gay and straight men and women, and at their families.

Dr. Simon LeVay is a neuroscientist and author of ?Gay, Straight, and the Reasons Why.?

Dr. Richard Pillard is a psychiatrist with the Boston University School of Medicine. He is gay, as are several of his siblings. His father was also gay.

Will you support The World?

Without federal support, local stations, especially in rural and underserved areas, face deep cuts or even closure. Vital public service alerts, news, storytelling, and programming like The World will be impacted. The World has weathered many storms, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to being your trusted source for human-centered international news, shared with integrity and care. We believe public media is about truth and access for all. As an independent, nonprofit newsroom, we aren’t controlled by billionaire owners or corporations. We are sustained by listeners like you.

Now more than ever, we need your help to support our global reporting work and power the future of The World.