The Fluidity of Sexual Orientation

Abstract
250 adult men and women participated in a study designed to track and measure the fluidity of sexual orientation over time. In response to limitations of current research, this study emphasized unconscious change rather than change attempt methods such as conversion therapy, using a consistent operational definition of sexual orientation, and focused on lasting changes across a person's lifetime rather than on temporary changes.

The Fluidity of Sexual Orientation

The changeability of sexual orientation has long been the subject of much interest and debate. The issue is often given a political charge, with those who claim that sexual orientation can change being confused with those who say that sexual orientation (particularly non-heterosexual orientations) should be changed (Haldeman, 1994). When examining this topic, all personal or political feelings must be set aside so that the facts can be examined openly and without bias.

A basic understanding of sexual orientation and its origins is crucial to this debate, as personal opinions on the origins of sexual orientation (which, as of now, remain largely unknown) will greatly influence beliefs about its changeability. The first of two reigning theories attributes the development of sexual orientation to biological factors (genes, prenatal hormones, and brain structure). The second is more likely to claim environmental aspects, such as childhood gender non-conformity, family influences, fraternal birth order, city of origin, and cultural influences, as the cause. Those who view sexual orientation as being genetic are less likely to believe that it can be changed (Jayaratne, Gelman, Feldbaum, Sheldon, Petty, & Kardia, 2009).

Studies conducted on the subject often focus on conscious attempts to change, most commonly using so-called “conversion therapies,” which are considered by most of the medical and scientific community in the United States to be ineffective or harmful (Haldeman, 1994). Some claim success, such as Robert L. Spitzer (2003), who concluded that “there is evidence that change in sexual orientation following some form of reparative therapy does occur in some gay men and lesbians” (p. 403). Most of these studies, however, have been discredited by mainstream medical organizations for numerous reasons, including non-random subject sampling, self-report-dependent outcomes, lack of long-term follow-up data, evidence focused on reduction of same-sex behavior and not of a change in sexual orientation, lack of control group, and excessive focus on gay men to the exclusion of lesbians and bisexuals (Haldeman, 1999). Another major issue with these conversion therapies is that they generally only attempt to change a person's sexual orientation from homosexual or bisexual to heterosexual. They thus necessarily exclude the possibility or potential for change from heterosexual to homosexual or bisexual, or any other such combination, and are an incomplete study of the changeability of sexual orientation.

Based on the lack of success of conversion therapy studies, it is often concluded that sexual orientation is not easily changed by an act of will. It does not follow, however, that sexual orientation is innate and fixed (Haldeman, 1994). Rather, sexual orientation evolves and develops naturally across a person's lifetime, like other personal preferences (American Psychiatric Association, 2009). When trying to understand this, it is helpful to think of sexual orientation as just another personal preference, such as an individual's taste for chocolate. This like or dislike of chocolate is jointly developed by both nature and nurture, as people are born with inclinations toward certain preferences, but are heavily influenced by their environment. Moreover, though it is difficult for an individual to suppress their love of chocolate through sheer will (they could refrain from eating chocolate, but their appetite for it would likely be unchanged), a bad experience with chocolate (such as an allergic reaction), or the simple passage of time, could alter their preference. Similarly, sexual orientation may not be easily changed by willpower alone, but it is certainly shaped by environment and the maturation of the personality (Cass, 1984). Unfortunately, current conceptualizations of sexual orientation are severely lacking in research on how sexual orientation changes over time, without any direct intervention by the individual (Gonsiorek & Weinrich, 1995).

Yet another limitation of current research lies in inconsistent or ambiguous definitions of terms such as “sexual orientation”; without a clear idea of what sexual orientation is, any changes to it are virtually impossible to track. Most definitions include psychological components, such as: an individual's erotic desires, fantasies, attachments, and longings, or behavioral components, such as: the gender of the individual's sexual partners, personal and social identity based on those attractions, and membership in a community of others who share them. Other definitions take into account only the self-identification of the individual. Still others incorporate an individual's “gender identity” or “core gender identity” (the gender or genders, or lack thereof, that a person self-identifies as, not necessarily based on biological fact). Some researchers, confronted with conflicting definitions and significant measurement problems, have given up on the concept of sexual orientation altogether (Gonsiorek & Weinrich, 1995). For the purposes of this study, sexual orientation will be defined as a pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions to men, women, or both (or neither) genders. With this definition in mind, a survey can be conducted in an attempt to measure the fluidity of sexual orientation.

Proposed Method

Participants
Respondents (N = 250) were students at a north Texas college. Participants responded to advertisements placed in local college newsletters and bulletins. The advertisements did not reveal the exact nature of the study, only that the goal was to track and explore human development. Participants were not compensated for their participation. Participants included 67 females and 183 males, and ranged in age from 17 to 56, with a mean age of 20. Students signed an informed consent form before completing the survey.

Measures
The sexual orientation survey (see Table 1) consisted of 10 questions assessing the fluidity or stability of the participant's sexual orientation, the participant's attitude towards sexual orientation, and the participant's personal definition of sexual orientation. Questions were designed to expose any existing bias that might influence a participant's answers.

Procedure
The survey was administered by email. Participants were given one week to complete and return the survey.

References
American Psychological Association (2009). Sexual Orientation, Homosexuality and Bisexuality. APA Help Center – Health & Emotional Wellness. Retrieved from http://www.apahelpcenter.org/articles/article.php?id=31
Cass, Vivienne C. (1984). Homosexual Identity: A Concept in Need of Definition. Origins of Sexuality and Homosexuality, 105-119.
Gonsiorek, John C.; Weinrich, James D. (1995). Definition and measurement of sexual orientation. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 25, 40-51.
Haldeman, Douglas C. (1994). The practice and ethics of sexual orientation conversion therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 62, 221-227.
Haldeman, Douglas C. (1999). The Pseudo-science of Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy. The Policy Journal of the Institute for Gay and Lesbian Strategic Studies, 4 (1): 1–4
Jayaratne, T. E., Gelman, S. A., Feldbaum, M., Sheldon, J. P., Petty, E. M., Kardia, S. L. R. (2009). The perennial debate: Nature, nurture, or choice? Black and White Americans' explanations for individual differences. Review of General Psychology, 13, 24-33.
Spitzer, R. (2003). Can Some Gay Men and Lesbians Change Their Sexual Orientation? 200 Participants Reporting a Change from Homosexual to Heterosexual Orientation. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 32, 403-417.

Table 1
Sexual Orientation Survey
1. Date of birth:
2. Gender:
3. Do you think “a pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions to men, women, both genders, or neither gender” is an accurate definition of sexual orientation? If not, how would you define it?
4. How would you describe your sexual orientation (heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, other)?
5. How long have you described your sexual orientation as such?
6. Was there ever a time that you considered yourself to belong to a sexual orientation other than the one you identified in Question #4?
7. If you answered yes to the previous question, do you consider your sexual orientation to have changed, or do you think you were previously uncertain about it and have now “figured it out”?
8. Have you ever questioned your sexual orientation? If so, when?
9. Are you open to the possibility that your sexual orientation could change, or do you believe it is fixed?
10. Describe some factors that have influenced your sexual preference (such as family, media, society, or religion).
11. Is your sexual orientation part of your social identity (are you “out”)?