Do sexual and gender identities fall on spectrums? Or are they dichotomous?

What factor plays a part in the case of identical twin brothers raised in the same household, whose DNA are 99% identical, with one brother identifying as heterosexual and the other identifying as gay?

Queer Sense describes how culture shapes an individual's attitudes towards LGBTQ+ people, and along with an individual's biological predisposition, influences where a person identifies on the spectrum of sexual orientation and gender.

Queer Sense is a journey of insight and gaining awareness of why you, and all of us, not only hold prejudicial or affirmative attitudes towards LGBTQ+ issues, but also why we identify with particular sexual orientation and gender labels, whether it be heterosexual, bi-sexual, queer, woman, transgender, intersex, or female-to-male (FTM).

Queer Sense posits that three key factors are essential in forming attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals; they influence how people identify their own sexual orientation and gender. These key factors include (1) ROLE MODELS including celebrities like Rachel Maddow and Bill O'Reilly, as well as everyday people such as friends and parents, and organizations such as one's church; (2) EMOTIONAL CONNECTIONS made with role models and organizations like teachers, gay-straight alliances or political parties; and (3) LANGUAGE: the vernacular used between our role models and communities.

This is what one father said:

"I'm a dad of an out-and-proud thirteen-year-old girl. I'm writing this review on Queer Sense because I want them to look at their child the same way I look at my daughter, and to understand that a kid who is willing to come out as 'Queer' amidst the current negative climate towards LGBTQ, is someone to admire and appreciate.

Queer Sense presents an intriguing narrative that includes personal stories integrated with research findings to provide a comprehensive read for laypersons and professionals interested in learning more about queer theory. While reading Queer Sense, I had several deep reflection moments that helped me better understand myself, and by doing so, my daughter's path she's traveling. It has made me think about my own journey regarding my own sexuality and gender and reflect how I got here, identifying as a heterosexual man. I believe this book is great for so many people. I believe it can help parents & families be more understanding and sensitive to the son or daughter who is finding his/her way out of the closet. It could be an asset for mental health professionals working with LGBTQ+ clients and their families (Therapeutic settings). I can also see classrooms of HS and College students having spirited and meaningful discussions about the theory provided in this book. (Academic settings)."

I did not fully embrace being gay until I was 29. Yet, I actually came out when I was 13, to my parents' confusion and shock--despite the fact that they held progressive beliefs and were not religious whatsoever. Religious beliefs are the number one factor that causes parents to react negatively to their coming-out child.

But to be fair, why would my parents' first reaction be complete acceptance?

It was 1987. Gay role models were not visible in society. And the role models who were around presented with plights suggesting that being gay came with harsh negative consequences. You only needed to tune into TV to find out that tens of thousands of gay men were dying from AIDS. Gay people were being fired from their jobs or being brutalized and killed. Why would any loving parent not react to their coming-out child with some level of concern?

This book is as much of a negative photograph of my life as it is a unique queer theory.

Read, discover...