Gay Traits May Run in Families, Study Says

Gay men are five times more likely than heterosexuals to have gay brothers, suggesting that male homosexuality may run in families, a new study says.

The three-year study involved 50 gay men and 51 heterosexual men, all unmarried, between ages 25 and 35 and with similar educations and job status.

It found that 20% of gay men surveyed had brothers who were “predominantly or exclusively homosexual,” contrasted with 4% of heterosexual men, according to Boston University psychiatrist Richard C. Pillard.

“We conclude that being a gay male is a familial trait. It isn’t just randomly distributed,” he said.