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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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Scientists Honing Gaydar

Studies seek innate differences between gays and straights

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(Newser) – Scientists are examining how homosexuality may affect everything from penis sizes to how one navigates new cities, reports the Los Angeles Times. Innate differences between gays and straights rooted in biology could lead researchers to discover the biological origins of sexual orientation.

Recent studies on gay traits have found:

  • Each older brother a man has increases his chances of being gay by 33%.
  • Testosterone levels in the womb may explain why there are more lefties among homosexuals.
  • Gay men’s hair may grow in a different direction.
  • Gay men have longer, thicker penises—or at least they claimed to in one mail-in survey by famed sex researcher Alfred Kinsey.

A gay couple poses with their children. Scientists say that gay men often have more older brothers.
A gay couple poses with their children. Scientists say that gay men often have more older brothers.   (Getty Images)
Gay and lesbian activists form a human chain around a rainbow in this file photo. Scientists think homosexuals may have different innate traits than straight people.
Gay and lesbian activists form a human chain around a rainbow in this file photo. Scientists think homosexuals may have different innate traits than straight people.   (Getty Images)
A gay protests in Italy is shown in this 2007 file photo. Scientific studies are pending on how gays respond to erotic movies or react to the smell of sweat.
A gay protests in Italy is shown in this 2007 file photo. Scientific studies are pending on how gays respond to erotic movies or react to the smell of sweat.   (Getty Images)
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