Development and familiality of sexual orientation in females

The development and familial clustering of sexual orientation were studied in 358 heterosexual, bisexual, and homosexual women. Sexual orientation, as measured by the Kinsey scales, was diverse yet showed statistical congruity and stability over a 1- to 1.5-year time span. Developmental patterns, as measured by retrospective reports on the ages of first sexual or romantic attraction and of self-acknowledgement of sexual orientation were very similar in the heterosexual and lesbian subjects except for the difference in object choice. The bisexual subjects displayed intermediate patterns that were more similar to the heterosexuals' on most facets yet closer to the lesbian subjects' on other dimensions. Familial clustering of nonheterosexual orientation was significant. Using two criteria, elevated rates of nonheterosexuality were found in four classes of relatives: sisters, daughters, nieces, and female cousins through a paternal uncle. The current data are not sufficient to distinguish between genetic and shared environmental sources of this familial aggregation. We discuss the possibility of using developmental criteria to differentiate between inherited and cultural sources of variation in female sexual orientation.