Childhood Cross-Gender Behavior and Adult Homosexuality

SUMMARY

It is difficult to identify an example of a pattern of childhood behaviors that is as predictive of an essential adulthood behavioral phenomenon as is early cross-gender behaviors with later homosexual orientation. Bases of this powerful association are complex, controversial and enigmatic. Research findings and speculations are presented to outline the issues engaged and stake out where we think we are in our understanding.

Key Words:

• Childhood gender nonconformity
• cross-gender behavior
• gender identity
• homosexual
• sexual orientation
• transsexual