I had an epiphany on the origins of sexual orientation and have a hypothesis that I think deserves serious exploration.

Research already shows a strong correlation: gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals report significantly higher rates of childhood trauma (abuse, neglect, family dysfunction) compared to heterosexual people – often 2–4 times higher for things like sexual or physical abuse.

What if this isn’t just coincidence or reverse causation? What if some people are born with a genetic predisposition that makes their brain more sensitive to early trauma – similar to how certain genes increase risk for PTSD or depression after stress?

In those individuals, one possible non-conscious coping mechanism could be a shift in sexual attraction away from the gender associated with the trauma, resulting in same-sex orientation. Not a choice – just the brain’s protective response, like developing other trauma-related conditions.

This wouldn’t explain everyone’s orientation, but it could account for a subset of cases where trauma plays a role.

Has this idea been explored before, or does it resonate with anyone’s experience/research?

More importantly: Are there researchers in psychology, genetics, neuroscience, or sexual orientation studies who would be interested in refining and testing this hypothesis? I’m looking for collaborators, advice on study design, or connections to people working on gene-environment interactions and trauma.

Feel free to DM or comment – open to thoughtful discussion.

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