article_snippet: But scientists say decades of research overwhelmingly shows sexual preference is inborn, not a choice.
article_snippet: It doesn't seem to be the social environment, It doesn't seem to be the parents or peers that make you gay," said Gerulf Rieger, a lecturer in the department of psychology at the University of Essex in England.
article_snippet: "Sexual orientation is biologically determined," added Cynthia Struckman-Johnson, a professor of psychology at the University of South Dakota.
article_snippet: While science is seldom definitive about anything, especially something as complicated as why we love who we love, researchers say the preponderance of the evidence shows sexual orientation is not chosen.
article_snippet: researchers point to studies showing children are aware of children sexual orientation at a young age.
article_snippet: Plus, genetic studies suggest homosexuality runs in families.
article_snippet: Finally, researchers have found that the very structure of the brain -- specifically, regions of the hypothalamus -- differs in gay and heterosexual men.
article_snippet: Ask a bunch of straight guys [if a bunch of straight guys could switch to being gay] and a bunch of straight guys would tell you, 'Are you kidding me?"
article_snippet: To, in any way, suggest that a person would go in as a heterosexual and then somehow become a homosexual as a result, that's simply preposterous.
article_snippet: Critics of these studies point out other research they say indicates that orientation is a choice, namely studies that show sexual orientation can change over the course of a lifetime, and that "socialization" can alter orientation.
highlights_snippet: Scientists say decades of research overwhelmingly shows sexual preference is inborn, not a choice .
  