Is “born this way” wrong? New research and statistics suggest that sexuality is not an innate quality, but something that shifts depending on age and environment.
Gen Z most sexually fluid in history
Is "born this way" wrong? New research and statistics suggest that sexuality is not an innate quality, but something that shifts depending on age and environment.
"I'm beautiful in my way, 'cause God makes no mistakes; I'm on the right track, baby, I was born this way."
So sings Lady GagaAn American singer-songwriter and actress, born in 1986. in her 2011 hit Born this Way, an anthem to self-empowerment. According to music magazine Rolling Stone, it is the most "inspirational LGBTStands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. The initialism, as well as some of its common variants, functions as an umbrella term for sexuality and gender identity. song of all time".1
"Born this way" is also a well-known slogan among queerA person whose gender identity or sexuality does not fit into society's traditional ideas. In the past the term was sometimes used as a homophobic insult - but today the LGBTQ community have reclaimed it. activists. It argues that sexual orientation is a natural and fixed part of identity. But new survey results are questioning the science behind this slogan.
Last week, the UK's Office for National StatisticsAn organisation that provides official statistics for the UK. published figures showing that 10.4% of those aged 16 to 24 identified as LGB. This compares with just 0.9% of those aged 65 and over.2 And the number of young people who identify as bisexual more than doubled between 2018 and 2023.3
At the same time, recent research shows that sexuality is more fluid than previously thought. Following 35,000 people in Sweden over a 12-year period, scientists found that nearly 16% changed their sexual identity.4
Modern science provides little evidence that sexuality is geneticRelating to genes. Each of us has around 20,000 to 25,000 genes. We inherit them from our parents. Although most of our genes are the same as everyone else's, the small differences make us unique.. "There is probably no fixed, innate percentage of the population who are LGBTQ+" argues journalist James Greig.5 Instead, some argue that sexuality is influenced by the people's surrounding environment, meaning they are not born but formed this way.
But "born this way" played an important role in the history of gay rights, argues academic Joanna Wuest. It countered the idea that being gay was - in the words of the American PsychiatricRelating to the treatment of mental illness. Association of 1973 - a "mental disorder". According to Wuest, it is "hard to overstate" the role the slogan played.6
The object of people's attraction can change over time, but they cannot choose that attraction. Accepting this fact is what matters most, as Lady Gaga understood: "Just love yourself and you're set."
Is "born this way" wrong?
Yes: There is no scientific support for the argument that sexuality is something innatePresent naturally. . Instead, research shows that people's sexual orientation can shift depending on age and environment.
No: Innate sexual identity is vital for the acceptance of queer people in wider society. It prevents the prejudicedHaving an idea about something, especially a group of people, that is not based on reality. idea that being gay is either a medical problem or a lifestyle choice.
Or... Sexuality can develop for a mix of genetic and environmental reasons. Even if sexuality changes over time, nobody can choose who they find attractive.
Lady Gaga - An American singer-songwriter and actress, born in 1986.
LGBT - Stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. The initialism, as well as some of its common variants, functions as an umbrella term for sexuality and gender identity.
Queer - A person whose gender identity or sexuality does not fit into society's traditional ideas. In the past the term was sometimes used as a homophobic insult - but today the LGBTQ community have reclaimed it.
Office for National Statistics - An organisation that provides official statistics for the UK.
Genetic - Relating to genes. Each of us has around 20,000 to 25,000 genes. We inherit them from our parents. Although most of our genes are the same as everyone else's, the small differences make us unique.
Psychiatric - Relating to the treatment of mental illness.
Innate - Present naturally.
Prejudiced - Having an idea about something, especially a group of people, that is not based on reality.
Gen Z most sexually fluid in history

Glossary
Lady Gaga - An American singer-songwriter and actress, born in 1986.
LGBT - Stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. The initialism, as well as some of its common variants, functions as an umbrella term for sexuality and gender identity.
Queer - A person whose gender identity or sexuality does not fit into society's traditional ideas. In the past the term was sometimes used as a homophobic insult — but today the LGBTQ community have reclaimed it.
Office for National Statistics - An organisation that provides official statistics for the UK.
Genetic - Relating to genes. Each of us has around 20,000 to 25,000 genes. We inherit them from our parents. Although most of our genes are the same as everyone else’s, the small differences make us unique.
Psychiatric - Relating to the treatment of mental illness.
Innate - Present naturally.
Prejudiced - Having an idea about something, especially a group of people, that is not based on reality.