Response to Zucker Commentary on Gottschalk's (2003) ‘Same-sex Sexuality and Childhood Gender Non-conformity: A Spurious Connection’

Abstract

In this reply to Zucker's commentary I point out that it is the meaning lesbians give to childhood gender non-conformity rather than the frequency of reporting childhood gender non-conformity that was discussed in my 2003 article. Indeed I did not, and do not, challenge the frequency of such reports. I also pointed to the importance of the historical, social and political context in which sexual identity formation occurs, and the influence of context on findings, and I reiterate this point in my response. Most of the articles cited by Zucker did not specifically explore the relationship between childhood gender non-conformity and adult sexuality. One of the articles cited by Zucker actually supports my argument by commenting on the importance of context. I conclude that it might be heterosexual men who are the deviation from the norm and not gay men, lesbians and heterosexual women. I suggest that this is an important area for further research.

Keywords:

• Gender
• gender non-conformity
• childhood gender non-conformity
• homosexuality
• same-sex sexuality
• lesbians
• gay men