Director The staff of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Chicago and the Department of Psychology at Northwestern University invite families with two or more gay brothers to join our study. Sexual orientation is a fundamental trait of great scientific interest. If we understood more about the origins of sexual orientation, we would know much more about the origins of sexual motivation, sexual identity, gender identity, and sex differences. Although our primary goals are scientific, we also are hopeful for greater societal understanding.
Earlier studies suggest that homosexual orientation runs in some families.
Although studies of twins suggest that this pattern is due largely to heredity rather than environment, we cannot be sure of this unless we actually locate genes that affect sexual orientation. That is the purpose of our study. In our family studies we look for the genes that may influence some brothers to become gay, as well as the genes that may influence other brothers to become heterosexual. We invite gay men with one or more gay brothers, along with their family members, to participate in a scientific study that will help us locate genes for sexual orientation and better understand this trait. Usually contact is initiated when a gay man, or his close relative, calls or writes us.