A Crossover Interaction Between Sex, Sexual Orientation, and Handedness

Abstract

The distribution of handedness scores was analysed in 1414 heterosexual, bisexual, and homosexual men and women. Hand preference was assessed by a questionnaire that distinguishes consistently right-handed from partially or completely left-handed individuals, and sexual orientation was measured by the Kinsey scales. As expected from population-based studies, heterosexual men were, on average, more left-handed than heterosexual women. By contrast, gay men were more right-handed than lesbians or heterosexual men, and lesbians were more lefthanded than gay men or heterosexual women. This crossover interaction suggests that a common variable influences sex, sexual orientation, and hand preference.