HOMOSEXUALITY IS NOT A CHOICE

By Dan Eden ©2011 for viewzone.
Recently I was asked to update a decade old article summarizing the scientific research on the cause of homosexuality. This present article will give a general summary of what dozens of scientific journals have concluded over the past 10 years. While more is known about the different regions (nuclei) of specific parts of the brain and the exact mechanisms involved, the basic conclusion of this research remains unchanged.Homosexuality effects from 8% to 15% of all males and slightly less for females. To put this in context, there are as many gays and lesbians in America today (2011) as there are unemployed citizens. Most carry the burdon of hiding their sexual identity for fear of being disrespected or mistreated by the general population who remain ignorant to the causes and circumstances of homosexuality. This is puzzling in light of the plethora of investigative work that has been done on the phenomenon.A Review of Scientific Research on HomosexualityIn 1959 a report was published with the title, "Organizing action of prenatally administered testosterone propionate on the tissues mediating mating behavior in the female guinea pig" by Charles H. Phoenix, Robert W. Goy, Arnold A. Gerall, and William C. Young [6]. This was one of those "animal studies" -- of interest only to psychologists and neurologists. In 1991, the popular journal, Science, published a paper that revisited the 1959 report and included many more recent studies. Their paper came to the conclusion:

"This finding indicates that INAH [part of the hypothalamus] is dimorphic with sexual orientation, at least in men, and suggests that sexual orientation has a biological substrate." [4]

Ever since Science published the article, I've been waiting for the big changes. But they have been slow. Public opinion still maintains that homosexuals have chosen to live a deviant lifestyle. Some of the worst hate towards homosexuals -- from an anti-homosexual religious group that targets veteran's funerals [below] -- comes from the belief that it is a chosen lifestyle.Ignorance about the cause of homosexuality has been responsible for many teen suicides as well as violence against teens who are perceived as different by their classmates. School officials, even parents of homosexual children, do little to clarify this condition and seem often to turn away from the issue all together. Many church leaders continue to equate homosexuality as a sin, suggesting that through prayer they could be "made whole." The husband of one of the top Republican presidential candidates runs a clinic, claiming to be able to "cure" homosexuality as if it were merely a bad decision. This view is echoed in many religious churches, based on the writings of Apostle Paul:

"Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." -- I Corinthians 6:9-11 (NIV)

What's going on here? Can homosexuality be "washed away" with Conservative beliefs?Homosexuality: Born That WayThe Conservapedia states that:

"The causes of homosexuality are attributable to man's sinful nature, nurture and environment, and personal choice." [5]

But scientific research directly contradicts this.Homosexuality is a congenital condition much like being "left handed". Before you dismiss the analogy remember there were times in history when being left-handed (the archaic meaning of "sinister") meant you were possessed by evil. You could have been hanged, burned, stoned to death or buried alive. Having personally lived in an Arab country, I can assure you that being left-handed was something that I did my best to hide. Today we know that left handedness is the result of excess testosterone slowing the growth of the left-hemisphere in the developing fetal brain.[2] It's not a choice. It's a condition.Ironically, homosexuality is caused much the same way as being left-handed. Instead of excess testosterone, the developing male fetus receives too little, often too late.Researchers naturally focus on an organ in the brain called the hypothalamus because it is known to be responsible for gender preference. It is also what is called dimorphic, meaning its structure is different in males and females. There's also differences in the hypothalamus between homosexuals and heterosexuals. Recent studies of the different sections or nuclei have revealed much that was not known before. And there have also been some surprises.With advances in laboratory technology, a specific region of the hypothalamus, called the sexually dimorphic nucleus (SDN), has been the focus of some interesting research. The SDN is the most conspicuous anatomical male/female difference in the mammalian brain. The nuclei is 3 to 8 times larger in males than in females. Another nuclei of the hypothalamus, INAH-3, reveals that heterosexual males have double the volume of both homosexual and female subjects.

"As has been reported previously, INAH 3 was more than twice as large in the heterosexual men as in the women. It was also, however, more than twice as large as in the homosexual men." [4]

A review of current research shows that there is no evidence supporting a social cause for homosexuality [8, 9]. On the contrary, there are multiple studies, both with animals and humans, demonstrating the causative relationship with the pre-natal testosterone during a critical stage in "defeminization".Dr. Harry Harlow's famous studies with Rhesus monkeys [5] demonstrated that such things as love and the ability to nurture healthy children was a learned skill that could be altered by after birth experiences. This non-biologic effect may play a role in female homosexuality and may also be a contributing factor in the degree to which congenital homosexuality is either expressed or repressed. But they do not cause homosexuality. How Do Brains Get Gender?Embryology teaches that early embryos all start out as female. At some point in early gestation, if the chromosomes destine the fetus to be male, the embryo is altered by the genetically programmed addition of certain hormones, called androgens. These androgens, especially testosterone, instruct the embryo to develop male characteristics. In their absence, the embryo continues to develop into a female. An "XX" pair of chromosomes will yield a female; an "XY" pair will result in a male. The "X" is always contributed from the mother (since she has only "X's"), but the father can contribute either an "X" or a "Y"-- so it is the father's genetic contribution that determines the gender of the child. If homosexual men have "XY" pairs which are typically male in all respects, what makes their hypothalamus different? In a paper published almost a quarter of a century ago, a research psychologist at Villanova University was also puzzled about gender. Dr. Ingebog Ward was studying the sexual behavior of rats, years before the role of the hypothalamus was even suspected of gendering human brains. [6]Dr. Ward divided some pregnant rats into three groups. Suspecting that something special might be happening in the early stages of pregnancy, she subjected the first group to stress during the first ten days of gestation by irritating the mother rats to bright lights, noise and annoying vibrations. Ten days in a rat's pregnancy corresponds to the first trimester (3 months) of a human pregnancy. The second group was subjected to stress towards the end of their pregnancy, just before birth. The third group was comprised of male offspring from both prenatal stressed mothers and unstressed mothers. These babies were subjected to the same stress producing stimuli.Dr. Ward then allowed all the males to grow to adulthood without further interference. She then placed each group of males in cages with healthy females to observe their ability and desire to mate with normal adult females. Here is what happened:

"Abstract: Male rats were exposed to prenatal (i.e. before they were born) or postnatal (after they were born) stress, or both. The prenatally stressed males showed low levels of male copulatory behavior and high rates of female lordotic responding (i.e. "lordotic" refers to mounting behavior which usually occurs during mating). Postnatal stress had no effect. The modifications are attributed to stress-mediated alterations in the ratio of adrenal to gonadal androgens during critical stages of sexual differentiation. Specifically, it appears that stress causes an increase in the weak adrenal androgen, androstendione, from the maternal fetal adrenal cortices, or both, and a concurrent decrease in the potent gonadal androgen, testosterone." [6]

If the baby carries "XY" chromosomes and is destined to become a male, testosterone needs to activate the newly forming hypothalamus. This is the first known critical phase of "defeminization" when something can go awry, upsetting the master plan.[10] If a mother is stressed during the early stages of pregnancy, she will release an adrenaline related hormone into her shared bloodstream with her unborn baby. This hormone, called androstendione, is structurally similar to testosterone, the male hormone. Both are androgens, but testosterone is more than twenty times as potent as androstendione.It has also recently been suggested that testosterone actually breaks down to estradiol in some way that androstendione may not [12, 15], further implicating this androgen in disrupting the process of early brain development.Because the stress hormone seems to mimic testosterone, there is the delay or blockage of the effectiveness of testosterone, even if it is plentiful. This causes a disturbance in the "defeminization" of the hypothalamus [7]. In 1972, Dr. Ward had no idea that androstendione in male pregnancies would prevent or inhibit the hypothalamus to develop into a healthy male brain, but this stress-related hormone now appears to do just that. The brain makes its gender commitment very early in development and, once committed to either male or female, it can not change. The interference with environmental testosterone in the later stages of pregnancy does little or nothing to inhibit gender development of the body. By mid-pregnancy, the gonads can produce enough systemic testosterone to develop the body along male plans; however, problems do happen in these later stages [11]. Sometimes the receptors which receive testosterone are defective or greatly reduced in number. This is generally seen as a defect resulting from the initial blocking of testosterone by the presence of other androgens [7]. This can inhibit the effectiveness of testosterone and cause a less effective defeminization.In Doctor Ward's own words:

"...The present data support the hypothesis that exposure of pregnant rats to environmental stressors modifies the normal process of sexual behavior differentiation in male fetuses by decreasing functional testosterone and elevating androstenedione levels during prenatal development. During stress conditions plasma testosterone emanating from the gonads decreases while adrenal androstenedione rises. The molecular structure of the two androgens, being very similar, it is postulated that the two hormones compete for the same receptor sites. Since androstenedione is a less potent androgen than testosterone, the decrease in male copulatory ability and increased lordotic potential seen in the prenatally stressed animals of the present study would be expected. The relative difference in potency between testosterone and androstendione has been repeatedly demonstrated. [Ibid.]

But Why?As we begin to understand that homosexuality is not inherited, we note that it occurs in more or less the same frequency of the population. This could suggest that a preference for one's own gender served some evolutionary benefit. If not, we should expect the perceived vulnerability of the developing fetal brain to have been corrected. But what could the benefit be?Again, in Doctor Ward's own words:

"The resulting alterations in sexual behavior provide the basis for an effective population control mechanism, since offspring so affected would not possess the behavioral repertoire necessary to contribute to population growth. Thus, the environment, by triggering an adrenal stress response, may control the reproductive capacity of successive generations of differentiating fetuses and, thereby, population size. "

[Some more recent explanations from a 2010 ScienceDaily article can be found at the bottom of this page.] What about Lesbians?The developing female fetus is expecting no pre-natal testosterone. This molecule is significant only if the fetus is destined to be male. Androstenedione, produced by maternal stress, closely resembles testosterone. Even a small amount of this molecule during the critical first trimester of pregnancy could be enough to make the developing hypothalamus defeminized or masculine. So the same mechanism can possibly explain both male and female homosexuality.Now what?I approached some homosexual blogs before posting this article on viewzone. I summarized the facts and asked for their replies. Some were critical of calling their gender preference a "condition" and thought that implied a defect. Others reminded me that even the anti-discrimination laws often only include protection against discrimination based on sex (meaning male of female) and that being recognized as a congenital phenomenon would only be protected if (a) it was considered a "disability" or (b) homosexuality would be covered under sex discrimination (meaning that a third gender would have to be added). In short, there was a kind of apathy.What do you think about this?

Notes:[1] Swaab, DF, Hofman, MA, "Sexual differentiation of the human hypothalamus in relation to gender and sexual orientation", Trends Neuroscience 1995 June, 18(6): 264-70.[2] NORMAN GESCHWIND, PETER BEHANI!,Left-handedness: Association with immune disease, migraine, and developmental learning disorder,Proc. Nati Acad. Sci. USA, Vol. 79, pp. 5097-5100, August 1982 [3] Exp Clin Endocrinol. 1983 Jan;81(1):83-7. Stressful events in prenatal life of bi- and homosexual men. Dorner G, Schenk B, Schmiedel B, Ahrens L. [4] S. LaVay, "A difference in hypothalamic structure between heterosexual and homosexual men", Science 30 August 1991, Vol. 253 no.5023 pp 1034-1037[5] http://www.conservapedia.com/Causes_of_Homosexuality[6] "Parental Stress Feminizes and Demasculizes the Behavior of Males", Science, January 7, 1972 (83-84).[7] Swaab DF, Chung WC, Kruijver FP, Hofman MA, Ishunina TA., "Sexual differentiation of the human hypothalamus", Adv Exp Med Biology, 2002;511:75-100; discussion 100-5[8] Dohler, KD, "The pre- and postnatal influence of hormones and neurotransmitters on sexual differentiation of the mammalian hypothalamus", Int Rev Cytology, 1991;131:1-57.[9] Savic I, Garcia-Falgueras A, Swaab DF., "Sexual differentiation of the human brain in relation to gender identity and sexual orientation", Prog Brain Res., 2010;186:41-62.[10] Kula K, Słowikowska-Hilczer J., "Sexual differentiation of the human brain", Przegl Lek. 2000;57(1):41-4.[11] Bradley SJ, Oliver GD, Chernick AB, Zucker KJ., "Experiment of nurture: ablatio penis at 2 months, sex reassignment at 7 months, and a psychosexual follow-up in young adulthood", Pediatrics,1998 Jul;102(1):e9.[12] Wu MV, Manoli DS, Fraser EJ, Coats JK, Tollkuhn J, Honda S, Harada N, Shah NM., "Estrogen masculinizes neural pathways and sex-specific behaviors", Cell, 2009 Oct 2;139(1):61-72.[13] Balthazart J, Tlemçani O, Ball GF., "Do sex differences in the brain explain sex differences in the hormonal induction of reproductive behavior? What 25 years of research on the Japanese quail tells us", Horm Behav. 1996 Dec;30(4):627-61.[14] Wallen K., "The Organizational Hypothesis: Reflections on the 50th anniversary of the publication of Phoenix, Goy, Gerall, and Young (1959)", Horm Behav. 2009 May;55(5):561-5.[15] W.J. Friedman, B.S. McEwen, C.D. Toran-Allerand and J.L. Gerlach, "Perinatal development of hypothalamic and cortical estrogen receptors in mouse brain: Methodological aspects", Accepted 14 June 1983.  Available online 11 March 2003.

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ScienceDaily (Oct. 26, 2009) -- Prenatal sex-based biological differences extend to genetic expression in cerebral cortices. The differences in question are probably associated with later divergences in how our brains develop. This is shown by a new study by Uppsala University researchers Elena Jazin and Bjorn Reinius, which has been published in the latest issue of the journal Molecular Psychiatry. Professor Elena Jazin and doctoral student Bjorn Reinius at the Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology previously demonstrated that genetic expression in the cerebral cortices of human beings and other primates exhibits certain sex-based differences. It is presumed that these differences are very old and have survived the evolutionary process. The purpose of the new study was to determine whether they appear during the process of brain development or first upon the conclusion of that process. Identifying the initial genetic mechanisms that prompt the brain to develop in a female or male direction is a long-range research objective.The Uppsala University researchers analysed data, on the basis of sex, from another extensive study of the prenatal human brain."The results show that many of the genes situated on the Y chromosome are expressed in various parts of the brain prior to birth and probably provide a developmental basis for the sex-based differences exhibited by adult brains," according to Elena Jazin.More than a third of Y-chromosomal genes appear to be involved in sex-based human brain differentiation. Some of the genetic activity in question is evident in the adult brain, while other of it only appears at earlier stages of brain development. It is yet unknown whether the differences in genetic expression among female and male brains have any functional significance."The findings are consistent with other factors, such as environment, also playing a role in how we develop," emphasizes Elena Jazin.Knowledge of the development of sex-based brain differences is of potential significance for the treatment of brain disturbances and diseases. A large number of psychiatric illnesses, including depression and autism, affect men and women differentially."Taking account of sex-based differences is crucial to the study of normal and abnormal brain activity," according to Elena Jazin.Some further reading:*Symmetry Of Homosexual Brain Resembles That Of Opposite Sex *Article in Salon Magazine *Stressful events in prenatal life of bi- and homosexual men. *Dresden, German & related studies *Rat Studies *Prenatal Stress Studies *A test of the maternal stress theory of human male homosexuality Recent Article from ScienceDaily February 2010: Potential Evolutionary Role for Same-Sex AttractionMale homosexuality doesn't make complete sense from an evolutionary point of view. It appears that the trait is heritable, but because homosexual men are much less likely to produce offspring than heterosexual men, shouldn't the genes for this trait have been extinguished long ago? What value could this sexual orientation have, that it has persisted for eons even without any discernible reproductive advantage? One possible explanation is what evolutionary psychologists call the "kin selection hypothesis." What that means is that homosexuality may convey an indirect benefit by enhancing the survival prospects of close relatives. Specifically, the theory holds that homosexual men might enhance their own genetic prospects by being "helpers in the nest." By acting altruistically toward nieces and nephews, homosexual men would perpetuate the family genes, including some of their own.Two evolutionary psychologists, Paul Vasey and Doug VanderLaan of the University of Lethbridge, Canada tested this idea for the past several years on the Pacific island of Samoa. They chose Samoa because males who prefer men as sexual partners are widely recognized and accepted there as a distinct gender category -- called fa'afafine -- neither man nor woman [right]. The fa'afafine tend to be effeminate, and exclusively attracted to adult men as sexual partners. This clear demarcation makes it easier to identify a sample for study.Past research has shown that the fa'afafine are much more altruistically inclined toward their nieces and nephews than either Samoan women or heterosexual men. They are willing to babysit a lot, tutor their nieces and nephews in art and music, and help out financially -- paying for medical care and education and so forth. In a new study, the scientists set out to unravel the psychology of the fa'afafine, to see if their altruism is targeted specifically at kin rather than kids in general.They recruited a large sample of fa'afafine, and comparable samples of women and heterosexual men. They gave them all a series of questionnaires, measuring their willingness to help their nieces and nephews in various ways -- caretaking, gifts, teaching -- and also their willingness to do these things for other, unrelated kids. The findings, reported on-line this week in the journal Psychological Science, lend strong support to the kin selection idea. Compared to Samoan women and heterosexual men, the fa'afafine showed a much weaker link between their avuncular -- or uncle like -- behavior and their altruism toward kids generally. This cognitive dissociation, the scientists argue, allows the fa'afafine to allocate their resources more efficiently and precisely to their kin -- and thus enhance their own evolutionary prospects.To compensate for being childless, each fa'afafine would have to somehow support the survival of two additional nieces or nephews who would otherwise not have existed. "If kin selection is the sole mechanism by which genes for male same-sex sexual attraction are maintained over time," the fa'afafine must be "super uncles" to earn their evolutionary keep, explains Vasey. Consequently, Vasey suggests "that the fa'afafine's avuncularity probably contributes to the evolutionary survival of genes for male same-sex sexual attraction, but is unlikely to entirely offset the costs of not reproducing."Do these findings have any meaning outside of Samoa? Yes and no. Samoan culture is very different from most Western cultures. Samoan culture is very localized, and centered on tight-knit extended families, whereas Western societies tend to be highly individualistic and homophobic. Families are also much more geographically dispersed in Western cultures, diminishing the role that bachelor uncles can play in the extended family, even if they choose to. But in this sense, the researchers say, Samoa's communitarian culture may be more -- not less -- representative of the environment in which male same-sex sexuality evolved eons ago. In that sense, it's not the bachelor uncle who is poorly adapted to the world, but rather the modern Western world that has evolved into an unwelcoming place.

Anti-gay law: Jonathan draws praises from Nigerians, knocks from abroad

Anti-gay law: Jonathan draws praises from Nigerians, knocks from abroad      

Ini Ekott

       

Gays and their collaborators now risk 14 years in jail in Nigeria

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has assented to a bill outlawing gay relationships and same-sex marriage, effectively putting the legislation to use several months after it was passed by the two arms of the National Assembly.

With the president’s signature, anyone convicted for getting involved in gay relationship or entering into a same-sex marriage contract or civil union faces up to 14 years in jail.

It is also a crime to have a meeting of homosexuals, or to operate or attend a gay club, society or organization. Public show of same-sex intimate affection is also outlawed. Offenders may be jailed for up to 10 years.

“A person who registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies or organizations, or directly or indirectly makes public show of same-sex amorous relationship in Nigeria commits an offense and is liable on conviction to a term of 10 year,” a section of the bill signed by the president on an unspecified date, states.

For many Nigerians, accustomed to attacking Mr. Jonathan over his failure to address many of the nation’s ills and its stinking corruption, the bill’s signing, largely a popular decision, came as one of the commendable steps taken by his administration.

Across the social media and blogosphere, majority of Nigerians heaped praises on a president they are more used to criticizing and pointed out how he has defied international pressure over the bill, and acted in a way deemed to be in Nigeria’s interest.

“Jonathan got this one alone right. The Oyinbo(whites) can go to hell,” one Twitter post read.

News of the bill’s signing promptly spurred an outpouring of anti-gay sentiments across the social media, with many Nigerians discountenancing minority concerns about how beneficial criminalizing peoples’ way of life could be to a population struggling with insecurity, poverty and basic electricity.

“I applaud the president’s passage of the Gay Bill. Now Boko Haram, epileptic power supply and broken infrastructure will be resolved,” another Twitter post read.

For many, the decision affirmed Nigeria’s profoundly religious and cultural leaning, and symbolized a smack on the West widely seen here as notorious for expecting its values and beliefs adopted globally.

“More than 90 percent of Nigerians are opposed to same sex marriage. So, the law is in line with our cultural and religious belief as a people,” presidential spokesperson, Reuben Abati, was quoted by the AFP as saying.

“And I think that this law is made for a people and what (the) government has done is consistent with the preference of its environment.”

As well, the president’s approval triggered a scathing response from the international community, which had long encouraged the president to veto the submissions of the Senate and the House of Representatives on the Same-sex bill.

The United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, said Monday that the U.S was “deeply concerned” by a law that “dangerously restricts freedom of assembly, association, and expression for all Nigerians.”

The United States’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations and member of President Obama’s cabinet, Samantha Power, also deplored the bill’s final approval.

In a Twitter post, Ambassador Powers said her country was “deeply troubled that Nigeria’s President signed anti-LGBT law,” and described the law as a “Big setback for human rights for Nigerians.”

The International Humanist and Ethical Union, an umbrella organization for humanist, atheists and secularists, called the legislation a “heinous law” and “an attempt to silence critics.”

“In the context of Nigeria this is a populist move, perhaps designed to win votes ahead of next year’s election. But the president should know it comes with a cost: it destroys any pretence Goodluck may once have had to reputable international statesmanship,” the group’s president, Sonja Eggerickx, said.

Ahead of its being signed into law, Amnesty International had urged President Jonathan to reject the bill, calling it “discriminatory”.

The anti-gay bill was passed by the Nigerian Senate in December 2011, while the House of Representatives followed suit in May 2013, defying a threat from Britain to withhold aid from nations violating gay rights.
Nigeria now joins 34 other African nations with strict anti-gay laws. Of the 78 countries where homosexuality is criminalized, 35 are in Africa.
If Britain makes good its threat to cut aid following the signing of the bill, Nigeria will lose just about 1 billion pounds (N250 billion) in aid- less than the annual budget of a Niger Delta state.

Shima Gyoh · Professor at Benue State University speaks on homosexuality

Homosexuality is just the way the brains of some people mature with inverted sexual orientation, when men feel sexual attraction to other men, and women to other women. Family and environmental circumstances have very little if any influence on this phenomenon. It is one of the naturally occurring variations in nature. The fact is that the people affected cannot change their sexual orientation, just like you cannot change your height no matter how hard you tried.
For a long time, it used to be thought it was a crime, and laws were made to punish the people affected, but about 60 years ago, knowledge of human development made the enlightened world realise that it was a frequent variation in nature. Even the medical world at first thought it was a mental disease and methods of treatment, called abreaction were painful and nasty at...tempts to “cure” the affected people. The medical world soon realised that no amount of torture could change this deep-seated nature, which happens to be the way the Creator had constructed these minds.
The people affected by this condition did not deliberately cultivate it; it is the way God made them, to use normal language. Outlawing homosexuality is equivalent to passing a law that being shorter than 5 feet is now a crime! It amounts to condemning to life suffering some people for being who they are. It is an unjust discrimination, which no enlightened or kind person should tolerate, no matter how squirmy they feel about it. For those who might want to know the source of my information, I am a medical professional primarily interested in the physical and mental welfare of the human being. I have conducted an unsuccessful campaign to stop this legislation, and will continue to plead with my compatriots to tolerate people who have a different but non-criminal nature.

WHY DO WE CRIMINALISE HOMOSEXUALITY IN NIGERIA?

FROM A PHILOSOPHER'S  PERSPECTIVE.......

 

 

It is completely useless to denounce homosexuals. They are without any doubt not the villains that ignorant heterosexuals make them out to be. That last statement about Homosexuals made within Gardeners must be clarified further as not all homosexuals are due to women not taking care during their pregnancy. When we use the word homosexual we are referring to Lesbians, Gays, Transsexuals, Transgender, etc.
Many people also think that homosexuals are just over sexually active people who just jump into bed with whoever and whenever to satisfy their carnal lusts. That is only true to a very, very small few individuals as the majority of homosexuals are kind people who just want to love and be loved.
Homosexuals fall into three groups.

• 1st group - smallest cluster - are those who by accident during birth became as they are. Transgender for example.
• 2nd group - medium cluster - are those who because after birth have strong emotional problems and turn to homosexuality to solve or ease those emotional problems. Sadly some never do overcome those emotional problems.
• 3rd group - largest cluster - are those individuals who could not possibly learn all that they must be taught without being Homosexual. In other words they choose to come to this Earth as a Homosexual.

The true you, your spiritual body, is neither male nor female. So your Overself takes on a male or female physical role depending on the lessons to be learnt whilst on Earth. Now someone who is homosexual is simple a female psyche within a male physical, or vice versa. Your Overself has chosen that combination for the lessons to be learnt. Lessons which cannot be achieved being purely male or female. You must remember that you are only 1/10th conscious, therefore have no idea what the other 9/10th needs to learn, because your physical is not yours to do with as you see fit.
In the hurly-burly of getting from the astral world to that world we call Earth, mix-ups occur. Being born is a traumatic experience, it's a most violent affair, and a very delicate mechanism can easily become deranged. For example a baby is about to be born and throughout the pregnancy the mother has been rather careless about what she was eating and drinking. So the baby has not received what one might term a balanced chemical input. The baby may be short of a chemical and so development of certain glands may have been halted. Let us say the baby was going to come as a girl, but through lack of certain chemicals the baby is actually born a boy, a boy with the inclinations of a girl or vice versa.
If only heterosexual people would take time out to get to know homosexual people without the ignorant homophobia, you will find they are just like any other person living on this planet. Probably better in fact than most heterosexuals. Read the book titled The Thirteenth Candle for more information.
The average person feels they can spot a homosexual any time or any place but this is not true as even among homosexuals this is not true. There are thousands of happily married men and women with very fine children who are homosexuals and who may, or may not, actively act out as the psychiatrists like to say.
If a homosexual can find a sympathetic doctor, not a psychiatrists as they never will understand, then glandular extracts can be given which can certainly improve the condition a lot and make life bearable, but unfortunately nowadays with the present breed of doctors who seem to be out to make money only, sadly you have to search a long way to get an understanding doctor.
Furthermore Mother Nature is also playing a major part in this. Because this planet is over populated with humans and while mankind continues to multiply ad hoc a higher-power must intervene and take control. Homosexuals provide an ideal solution to controlling the planets population.
For the record, the crime rate among homosexuals is very, very low. They are very tolerant individuals, not prone to physical violence, and it is extremely rare to hear of rapes in the homosexual world. They are very clean and friendly people if you try and get to know them. A small further interesting fact, some of the world's "finest" have been homosexuals.
Disabled people are also stigmatised today because of ignorance and xenophobia. Many beliefs have stated that this is because they were extremely bad people in a past life and this disability is their punishment. Although that statement is not entirely untrue, it only applies to a few and not the majority. People choose to be here as disabled, to aid in learning the lessons they are down here to learn. Ask yourself this simple question "how can anyone fully comprehend what it is like to be disabled without actually being physically disabled themselves?" Simple answer is you cannot, so don't judge people by your own ignorance.
Disabled people have been labelled with a variety of names but either way you want to label them we must not forget that they are still people. People who have feelings just as you have. Kind people who just want to loved just as you do!

Try and see the person within and not the disability as so many do!

The only difference from you is that their needs may differ because their disability demands certain additional aids, to live what we can term a normal life. Get to know the person within and don't segregate or isolate them because of what their physical body looks like. The spirit within is far more important than the exterior shell.
In many cases a retarded child seeing an animal gets a type of fellow feeling. The child thinks that the animal cannot talk either so that gives them a bond. When such a child is given the run of a farm and given tasks within his or her capabilities, then the responsibility does start up and spark a response in the intelligence. Mentally retarded and challenged children may have been the cause of a bad birth, have you ever thought of that? Or maybe they are here to learn certain lessons with such severe disabilities? Yet these individuals are ostracised beyond belief through no fault of their own. The best thing you can do with these people is to encourage them to mix with animals as this is fact and not fiction. You will find they they will bond with the animal and their well being will improve. Read the book titled The Thirteenth Candle chapter eleven.
Does it really matter what colour or shape a persons physical is? If only people took the time out to try and understand these individuals you will soon discover that they are not all that different from you and me. It's the person within that counts and not the exterior physical. Because that's all it is, a shell which enables our spiritual body to be here on Earth to experience what which cannot be experienced within the astral planes.
There will be people in which you just cannot get on with in life, that's normal, as that's part of the learning curve. However it's no reason to hurt or harm others just because you both don't get on. Just put it down to a clash of personalities and give each other a wide berth. In most cases if you sit down and get to know them, the clash of personalities then vanishes. It's about learning to compromise as you cannot have everything your way in life.
It's not surprising then that beings from other planets - yes, plural is correct! - don't actually make contact when they can clearly see how we actually mistreat other human beings. So if they landed now it would just create mass hysteria and resentment through simple ignorance, xenophobia and lack of common sense.
This attitude is very disheartening as these beings from inner and outer space could really help mankind in evolving physically and spiritually whilst harmonising us with all other creatures on this planet.

Dencia: Makes waves with new cosmetics

Dencia the half Nigerian, half Cameroonian singer is one of the promising singer in Nigeria. She  has released good songs and music videos and featured Waje on one of her songs.
She has a newly released range of skincare cosmetics, Whitenicious.
According to a tweet by the sexy singer-entrepreneur, Whitenicious, which helps remove dark spots from the skin, sold out shortly after it hit the market and people who are interested in purchasing it have to wait until she can restock it.








Dencia

OBASANJO'S LETTER TO GOODLUCK JONATHAN

Former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, recently stirred up a storm with an explosive letter to President Goodluck Jonathan detailing what he perceived to be the president’s shortcomings. The 18-page letter entitled “Before it is too late” warned that the nation was fast losing its moorings and drifting into chaos and uncertainty. Obasanjo, in the controversial missive that is still generating ripples in the polity, alleged that Jonathan   failed in five key leadership areas. These include leadership of the ruling party; headship of the Federal Government; Commander-in-chief of the military; Chief Security Officer of the nation; and the political leadership of the country.
The former president alleged that   Jonathan agreed to serve for only one term in office before he was elected president in 2011. He also accused him of having 1000 Nigerians on a security watch list, an alleged killer squad and high-level corruption in the oil sector.
While some Nigerians have applauded Obasanjo for the bluntness and timeliness of the letter, others queried his moral authority to raise the issues he did, since he was equally guilty of similar steps while in office. The exposure of the letter to the public also drew the ire of many.
The presidency, in an early reaction, described the letter as highly provocative and mischievous. Presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, however, explained that  “while many patriotic, objective and well-meaning Nigerians have already condemned the leaked letter as self-serving, hypocritical, malicious, indecent and very disrespectful of the highest office in the land, Jonathan has directed that none of his aides or any government official should join issues with Chief Obasanjo over it.”
There is no arguing the fact that Obasanjo, as a former head of state and an elder statesman, could have found a more decent way to convey his views and fears to President Jonathan, other than the blistering letter that made the headlines of virtually all national newspapers in the country. A communication that is truly designed to alert the president to perceived developments in the polity in the best interest of the country does not have to be leaked to the entire country, no matter the circumstances. This is more so as the former president played a pivotal role in the emergence of the Jonathan administration.
Obasanjo’s moral right to judge the Jonathan administration is also questionable as he is equally guilty of almost all the accusations he made against the president. It is a case of the pot calling the kettle black. For example, the former president did not only exercise his constitutional right to a second term in office, he went ahead to scheme for a third term, which Nigerians vehemently rejected. His power sector reform could not give Nigerians stable power despite billions of naira pumped into it.
Obasanjo’s anti-graft agencies, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), were better known for the witch-hunt of his political enemies, and not necessarily for fighting corruption.
His regime also witnessed political assassinations, including those of former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige, Harry Marshall and Funsho Williams. It was during his regime that Odi and Zaki-Biam were leveled by government troops. The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also witnessed many crises during the period. The regime was also engulfed in corruption. The former president raised funds from both public and private functionaries to build a presidential library while still in power. All these question his grandstanding on Jonathan’s perceived vices.
The ex-president should, therefore, not heat up the polity unnecessarily by public ventilation of his misgivings. He should find more acceptable ways of getting his views across to the president. On the fears that Jonathan might be training snipers ahead the 2015 polls, we expect Obasanjo to be more specific, instead of dishing out thinly veiled speculations on such a serious matter.
But then, that is not to say that there is no substance to Obasanjo’s letter. As a matter of fact, most of the issues he articulated are already public knowledge, with the exception of the accusation that the president has placed politicians on a watch list and is allegedly training killer squads reminiscent of the regime of the late General Sani Abacha. It is, therefore, okay that he has boldly spoken the minds of many Nigerians on these issues.
Although Jonathan has asked his aides and other political office holders not to respond to Obasanjo’s letter, we think that the president owes Nigerians some explanations on some of the concerns raised by the letter, especially the watch list and the killer squad. Jonathan will not be helping himself and his government by keeping mum over the sundry allegations against him.
Besides, the president should regard the letter as a wake-up call to his administration to address the issues of good governance, corruption, security, as well as party and country leadership. Some of the issues raised in the letter capture the feelings and thinking of many Nigerians about the Jonathan presidency. The only snag is that the message is coming from the wrong person, and some of the allegations should have been substantiated. Past Nigerian leaders and our other statesmen should refrain from making inflammatory statements capable of destabilising the nation. Obasanjo has unfettered access to Jonathan. We doubt that he has any genuine reason to make the letter public, except to paint the president in bad light before all right thinking Nigerians. This is more so as some of the weighty accusations in the letter are largely speculative and inconclusive.
We enjoin the president to respond speedily to this letter to   reassure the people on the weighty allegations made against him.

WE MUST GIVE URGENT ATTENTION TO TEENAGERS- PA AYO OGUNJOBI

WE MUST GIVE URGENT ATTENTION TO TEENAGERS- PA AYO OGUNJOBI
 
Pa Ayo Ogunjobi, a retired chattered Accountant, minister of God is the founder of Project Hope, a church based initiative targeting teenagers from various segments of the society. Pa Ogunjobi believes that teenagers are at a very vulnerable stage of their lives and therefore required the attention of both the church and the society at large. He is convinced that when teenagers are properly handled and given proper mentoring most of the evils in our society will be nabbed in the mud before they rear their heads. In this interview, he speaks with Yemi Olakitan on the various aspects of Project Hope and his mode of operations. Excerpts.

·         What is Project Hope?

It is a concept that talks about hope for our generation if we return to God and do what is necessary to regain the future. We are targeting the teenagers because they are at a very vulnerable stage of their lives. We believe that it is at this state that characters and destinies are shaped and if we give quality attention to them. We will succeed in saving our society from decadence.

·         Is Project Hope a church for Teenagers?

No, it is not a church but it is a church based project. It is anchored by a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God called The Lords Portion, Awoyaya. We are focusing on teenagers because God has laid it on our hearts to do so. If we do not do something about this young people we will experience the collapse in morality and cultural values which western nations are currently experiencing. Our aim is to address issues of morality, leadership and individual potentials. We are dealing with vices in the society such as drug addiction, drug abuse, sexual promiscuity, teenage pregnancy and prostitution. These vices are common to African youths.

·         How do you plan to achieve your objectives? What are your modes of operations?

We are sending evangelists to churches, schools and wherever teenagers are gathered. It is a non denominational project and we are addressing non- Christians as well, As we are part of the same society.  We are using the medium of seminars, workshops and conferences to achieve our aim and objectives. There are counselors and facilitators that would mentor them in various issues of life using bible based materials that would develop their leadership abilities.We also believe that the media can also help is achieve our goals.

·         Who are your partners in this project?

Like i said earlier, it is a church project of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, The Lord's Portion Parish, Awoyaya. In addition, we have identified people that have the same ideology with us. We also have a programme that is tagged: Training The Trainers. We are partnering with schools, faith based organizations and corporate entities that may be interested in joining us. We believe that it will take the collective efforts of the society at large to make changes in the lives of our young ones.

·         What about the parents and Guardians?

We have a project that will include both the parents, guardians and the teenagers themselves. This strategy will have far reaching impacts on tour young people. The parents will also be able to lend their support to our efforts. Take the problem of cultism for example, one of our key members is into child psychology and he is a parent. As we expand, we would bring in more facilitators, resource persons, educationists to support what we are doing.

·         What really inspire you to start this project.

It is the need for it. If we keep quiet. What is happening in advanced countries will happen here. In fact it is already happening.  There is high level moral breakdown among young people abroad, promiscuity, homosexuality, drug addiction and abuse, cultism. All these vices are occurring because of the neglect of the society to pay special attention to the formative years of young people. This is why the church must act urgently. We must set positive standards for young people and help those who are in need; particularly teenagers who are in abject poverty and have no-one to help them.