Opposite sex behaviours correlate with degree of homosexual feelings in the predominantly heterosexual

Abstract

There is extensive evidence that subjects who identify as homosexual show opposite sex-linked behaviours. However no attempt has been made to investigate whether a similar association exists between such behaviours and the presence of homosexual feelings in the predominantly heterosexual. Eighty medical students completed an anonymous questionnaire reporting the ratio of their heterosexual to homosexual feelings and the presence of sex-linked behaviours in their earlier life and currently. As in previous studies correlations between opposite sex behaviours and subjects' degree of homosexual feelings were found in the male subjects. Correlations remained present, though mainly at a weaker level, in the predominantly heterosexual students. It is suggested this evidence of a dimensional relationship between opposite sex-linked behaviours in childhood and degree of homosexual feeling in adulthood renders irrational the classification of such behaviours as a gender identity disorder of childhood when homosexuality in adults is not regarded as a disorder.