Changes

Legal marriage between same-sex couples is now recognized in Canada, Spain, South Africa, Belgium, Israel and the Netherlands, and in the US state of [[Massachusetts]].  Most other western European nations and several US states recognize a more limited "civil union". 26 US states have passed constitutional amendments banning recognition of same-sex marriages, and federal law does not recognize same-sex marriage. Some groups have pushed for a federal Constitutional amendment barring the legal recognition of same-sex marriages, however the amendment did not pass the Senate.<ref>http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/06/07/same.sex.marriage/index.html</ref>

Legal marriage between same-sex couples is now recognized in Canada, Spain, South Africa, Belgium, Israel and the Netherlands, and in the US state of [[Massachusetts]].  Most other western European nations and several US states recognize a more limited "civil union". 26 US states have passed constitutional amendments banning recognition of same-sex marriages, and federal law does not recognize same-sex marriage. Some groups have pushed for a federal Constitutional amendment barring the legal recognition of same-sex marriages, however the amendment did not pass the Senate.<ref>http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/06/07/same.sex.marriage/index.html</ref>

==Homosexuality in Humans and Genetics and Environment==

== Homosexuality and Humans ==

 

=== Genetics ===

 

Statistical studies give ample evidence that homosexuality is not caused entirely by genetics<ref>http://www.pureintimacy.org/gr/homosexuality/a0000057.cfm</ref>, although genetics plays a part, along with the environment.  For example, research has shown that adoptive brothers are more likely to both be homosexuals than the biological brothers, who share half their genes.  In the journal ''Science'' it is reported that, "this . . . suggests that there is no genetic component, but rather an environmental component shared in families" <ref>(''Science'', Vol. 262, page 2063, December 24, 1993)</ref><ref>http://www.trueorigin.org/gaygene01.asp</ref><ref>[http://www.freetobeme.com/r_biol.htm</ref>.  On the other hand, there is a study purporting to support that homosexuality is partly genetic in cause. Dean Hamer, a gay researcher, conducted a study of thirty-two pairs of brothers who were not related and exclusively homosexual. As they were not related, they should not share the same genes. However, two-thirds of the pairs (22 pairs) shared the same type of genetic material, supporting the hypothesis that there is an existing gene that either influences homosexuality, or is caused by homosexuality.<ref>http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/biology/b103/f97/projects97/Newman.html A report done by a student at Bryn Mawr College, but is nonetheless verifyable.</ref> However, Hamer's study was attempted to be replicated and it is was reported in the journal ''Science'' that researchers were not able to confirm Hamer's findings.<ref>http://www.narth.com/docs/1996papers/silverman.html</ref>

Statistical studies give ample evidence that homosexuality is not caused entirely by genetics<ref>http://www.pureintimacy.org/gr/homosexuality/a0000057.cfm</ref>, although genetics plays a part, along with the environment.  For example, research has shown that adoptive brothers are more likely to both be homosexuals than the biological brothers, who share half their genes.  In the journal ''Science'' it is reported that, "this . . . suggests that there is no genetic component, but rather an environmental component shared in families" <ref>(''Science'', Vol. 262, page 2063, December 24, 1993)</ref><ref>http://www.trueorigin.org/gaygene01.asp</ref><ref>[http://www.freetobeme.com/r_biol.htm</ref>.  On the other hand, there is a study purporting to support that homosexuality is partly genetic in cause. Dean Hamer, a gay researcher, conducted a study of thirty-two pairs of brothers who were not related and exclusively homosexual. As they were not related, they should not share the same genes. However, two-thirds of the pairs (22 pairs) shared the same type of genetic material, supporting the hypothesis that there is an existing gene that either influences homosexuality, or is caused by homosexuality.<ref>http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/biology/b103/f97/projects97/Newman.html A report done by a student at Bryn Mawr College, but is nonetheless verifyable.</ref> However, Hamer's study was attempted to be replicated and it is was reported in the journal ''Science'' that researchers were not able to confirm Hamer's findings.<ref>http://www.narth.com/docs/1996papers/silverman.html</ref>

== Homosexuality and Disease ==

== Homosexuality and Disease ==