Esybron Institute

[Esybron]

A reader sent us the following comments saying that given the content of our web site, she is ashamed to call us fellow women. Our site is sexist and that, she maintains, is inexcusable. We welcome all views and opinions, be they complimentary and adversarial. We responded to the reader as we post below; however, the e-mail she posted was unavailable.

Here is what she had to say.

No simple, single cause for sexual orientation has been conclusively demonstrated, but research suggests that it is by a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental influences,with biological factors involving a complex interplay of genetic factors and the early uterine environment.

Numerous 2010 studies have stated: \"The fetal brain develops during the intrauterine period in the male direction through a direct action of testosterone on the developing nerve cells, or in the female direction through the absence of this hormone surge. In this way, our gender identity (the conviction of belonging to the male or female gender) and sexual orientation are programmed or organized into our brain structures when we are still in the womb.
This creates strong evidence that social environment after birth has little effect on gender identity or sexual orientation, though society and environment can effect a persons sexual orientation.\"

The \'INAH 3\' is the third interstitial nucleus of the anterior hypothalamus. The INAH3 size of homosexual men was the same as that of women. It is possible that the development of INAH3 (and perhaps other brain regions) represents a \'final common path\' in the determination of sexual orientation, a path to which innumerable factors may contribute.

In other words, not all women are innately bisexual. You might believe that here at Esybron, but consider that you might be wrong to provide this information to other women. After all, you information seems to stem from a commonly held male dominated view that \'all women are bisexual, therefore we men all get to see lesbian sex and use women as sexual toys!\'

No. Although women and men are different, you\'ve perceived differences in a very sexist way.

I am ashamed to call you fellow women.

You blantently demonstrate a contempt for men that I find inexcusable. If true equality is to be found, then we must work TOGETHER and COOPERATE. I hold the same view towards men.

To which we responded with the following.

First let me say that we appreciate receiving your comments and your concerns. You have covered quite a bit of territory in a brief space. Since you have expressed opposition to what we have posted on our web site, I will
address each of your concerns below.

We are in agreement that there is no simple, single cause for woman's sexual orientation. But what is apparently irrefutable, given all the evidence collected thus far, is that woman's sexual orientation is fluid, varying with the circumstances. Lisa Diamond's outstanding research has confirmed this conclusion. Woman can and do vary their sexual orientation over time.

That the fetal brain develops under hormonal influence is also irrefutable. But, remember, the brain, as well as the body, starts out as female and is modified only in the presence of testosterone. Where I feel you may have
gone a little astray is that there are really four sexes: the genetic sex (XX, XY, and all the other variations); the biologic sex (that which develops the secondary sexual characterists); the psychologic sex (the brain development of which you speak so well); and the gender sex. When all four coincide, all is well, but as you undoubtedly know, there are many instances in which the four conflict, in one way or another. Therefore, your conclusion that "social environment after birth has little effect on gender identity or sexual orientation" is simply wrong.

You mention the highly controversial INAH research as though it were proven, and it is not. Also, please be aware that nothing in our brains is hardwired, it is all susceptible to change through the process known as
neuroplasticity. We are constantly forming, dissolving, and reforming our neural networks. There simply are no biologic imperatives, all is subject to change given the circumstances. Culture is the major modifier.

Of course we consider that we might be wrong, that things change, but based on over 50 years of research and working with women, what we present is our convictions based on the data. What confuses the issue so is the
manipulation of "science" to uphold male supremacy at the expense of women. Our sexuality has been inverted to serve a specific male dominance agenda...that we present in detail in our upcoming book. Mentioning this is
not in any way sexist, it is simply factual. Men, and obviously not all men for they too are the suffers of the patriarchal oppression, created the problem. It is the patriarchal and religious dogma that places us where we
are today. If we are to regain the equality that we originally possessed, the applecart has to be overturned...again, not sexist, but reality. Men are not our enemies, but they desperately need education.

We should agree to disagree on the matter of women being innately bisexual, for in our opinion, that is a truth. That doesn't mean the we are all closet lesbians and that our sexuality is biological determined. It is not, but for
hundreds of thousands of years preceding patriarchy, we bonded together (much like the bonobo) through sex. And, you are in error to think that this innate female drive is in any way connected to what men fantasize
about, to "get to see lesbian sex and use women as sexual toys!\'

What distresses me most is your statement "I am ashamed to call you fellow women", for this speaks loudly of a closed mind, unwilling to acknowledge alternatives. The only contempt we have for anyone rests entirely on the
shoulders of the patriarchs and their acolytes in their continuous attempt to keep us sexually subservient and deny us the full range of our capabilites. What the past 5000 years demonstrates clearly is that "cooperation" yields nothing except a continuous oppression. Rebellion, based on education, is the key to reclaiming the fierce egalitarianism exhibited by our Pleistocene ancestors.

I'm sorry that you find our approach offensive, but am happy that you took the time and energy to challenge us for this expands our understanding in addressing conflicting views.

Unfortunately, we have no way to communicate our response to this reader, since her e-mail is unavailable, but maybe she will read this and offer her rebuttal. By the way, if you would like to join this controversy, please jump in and let us know your opinion. The more we can listen, the more we can learn. It is through women, all women, regradless of their persuasion, that we will overcome the millennia of oppression and subservience.