Oh My! This topic is no doubt the genesis of a book. Such depth in the comments too! I am pleased to be able to offer some other, unique insights/perspectives on the subject but will modify my remarks by the use of " ...it seems to me", or "perhaps", or "could it be?".

Sexual orientation and gender has been a theme in my personal life and family life for many years. My daughter, is getting married to her partner this spring. She fulfills the masculine role in that relationship. My former dearly beloved, whom I have the joy of calling friend, is also in a same-gender relationship, and I myself dealt with similar issues growing up. So, I have had some practical experience in the matter, though certainly am no authority.

As a practicing Buddhist, I have incorporated into my personal understanding of things the concept of past lives, of genetic echoes and soul imprints. In other words what I have found is that the source of our sexual orientation and gender is not limited to either simple genetics or family/cultural influence. Indeed, each of us is an orchestra of past lifetime energies, both ancestral and individual. None of us, it appears, are, as monotheistic religions would have it: one life, one soul, one judgement, one eternity. Indeed, I am a symphony composed from many sources and lifetimes. This perspective has been very helpful in my own family, helping to explain and understand the fascinating play of gender and sex. We, each come, like Wordsworth said, "...trailing clouds of glory."

To add to this expansion of horizon may I also share I am an Astrologer. (Which thing still amazes me, having come from a strict controlling Christian heritage). What I have noticed in my practice is that boys who have certain strong placement of planets and signs may indeed be very sensitive and seemingly feminine as children but upon entering puberty take on the male role more fully. However the feminine sensitivity usually remains as a part of the psyche. Parents may mistakenly consider their child as gay or other-gender and respond prematurely in assigning a role that is temporary. Hope that make sense! The same can be said of females who have strong male markers in their astrological charts. They have tendencies that may be mistaken for certainties.

I suppose what I'm saying is that our understanding of such things will expand as we incorporate the visions offered by knowledge gathered beyond beckoning horizons. One must keep an open mind. Or so it seems!! May we all love one another regardless of the illusion.