"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, it combines a catchy melody with a moving personal story. 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 queer activists. In three simple words, it makes the case that gay, lesbian, bisexualSexually or romantically attracted to both men and women. and transgenderSomeone whose gender identity (what they feel inside) does not match the gender identity they were assigned at birth (based on their biology). people are not broken or flawed. Instead, their sexuality is a natural and fixed part of their 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

The biggest change has been the number of young people who identify as bisexual, which has more than doubled between 2018 and 2023. Among those aged 16 to 24, it jumped from 2.8% to 7.5%, and among those aged 25 to 34, from 1.1% to 3.4%.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 Similar results have been shown in studies from Australia, New Zealand, the United States and the United Kingdom.

But, if sexuality is something that changes over time, does it make sense for queer campaigners to use the slogan "born this way"?

Modern science provides little evidence that sexuality is purely genetic. "There is probably no fixed, innatePresent naturally. percentage of the population who are LGBTQ+" argues journalist James Greig.⁵ Instead, sexuality, some argue, is influenced by people's surrounding environment, meaning they are not born but formed this way.

The slogan can also be divisive within the queer community. It suggests somebody who has been certain about their sexual identity since childhood or adolescence is more authentically gay than someone who comes out in middle or even old age.

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 Psychiatric Association of 1973 - a "mental disorder". According to Wuest, it is "hard to overstate" the role this slogan played in the acceptance of 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. people by the wider society.⁶

The argument that sexuality is not innate also comes with risks, some say. It suggests that people have chosen to be queer, and encourages the homophobic idea that they can be "cured" of their sexuality by the inhumane process of conversion therapy.

Sexuality may not be genetic, but that does not make it a lifestyle choice. 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 innate. Instead, research shows that people's sexuality 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 prejudiced 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.

Bisexual - Sexually or romantically attracted to both men and women.

Transgender - Someone whose gender identity (what they feel inside) does not match the gender identity they were assigned at birth (based on their biology).

Office for National Statistics - An organisation that provides official statistics for the UK.

Innate - Present naturally.

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.