Author: Looy, Heather

Journal of Psychology & Christianity, Vol. 24(4), Win 2005, pp. 317-331

Abstract: Is there a relationship between our identities as women and men, and the direction of our sexual desires? The gender inversion model suggests that persons with same-sex attraction are manifesting a trait characteristic of the other gender, and are therefore not fully masculine or feminine. Evidence for gender inversion, and three theories that incorporate this model in some form—neurohormonal, exotic-becomes-erotic, and reparative drive’are critically reviewed. The implications of the data and models for our understanding of gender and sexual identity, particularly for Christians, are discussed.