What Causes a Person To Have a Particular Sexual Orientation?

There are numerous theories about the origins of a person’s sexual orientation. Most scientists today
agree that sexual orientation is most likely the result of a complex interaction of environmental,
cognitive and biological factors. In most people, sexual orientation is shaped at an early age. There is
also considerable recent evidence to suggest that biology, including genetic or inborn hormonal factors,
play a significant role in a person’s sexuality.

It’s important to recognize that there are probably many reasons for a person’s sexual orientation, and
the reasons may be different for different people.

What is the difference between transgender and transsexual?

Generally, transsexual people have changed their bodies to their preferred sex through hormonal
and/or surgical treatments. The surgeries can include facial feminizing procedures, breast augmentation
or reduction, and genital reassignments.

What causes people to be transgender?

The development of gender identity is highly complex and not well understood. But researchers do not
believe that an early childhood trauma or sexual abuse is responsible for a person being transgender. It
also does not seem like genetics plays a big role, since a study of transgender people with identical twins
showed that only 20 percent were both transgender. More evidence points to biological differences in
the brain — that somehow during fetal development the brain did not differentiate its sexual
characteristics in alignment with the rest of the body.

What is involved in transitioning between sexes?

Transgender people who want to live as their preferred gender generally start the process gradually by
changing their clothes and appearance when they feel safe to do so. They may also change their name
informally or legally. Before any surgical procedures can be performed, the transgender person must go
through a certain amount of counseling and hormone therapy. The process is permanent, and usually
ends a person’s fertility, so surgeons want to be sure the decision is right.