The Science of Gaydar

So, how is it that one gay person can recognize another gay person on the street? David France of New York Magazine has a strong piece on the science of gaydar and the biological origins of homosexuality. Unfortunately, France, like many, plays down the evidence for biological lesbianism.

France is correct that there are far fewer studies of lesbians than gay men for a variety of reasons (including the fact that many scientists hang on to Victorian era attitudes about female sexuality). However, recent studies have strengthened the case for the biological origins of lesbianism, including studies that show differences in how lesbians hear and how we react to human scents.