Milton Diamond

Among the most fundamental questions one can ask about sexual behavior are
of the nature of attraction and arousal. Why is someone attracted to another?
Why are some attracted to males, others to females, and yet others primarily to
children? Why is obesity a "turn on" for Mary but not for Sally, and why are
large breasts a "turn off" for Bill yet a stimulant for Bob? While such questions
might be conscientiously asked, the meaningfulness of the answers is fleeting.

Fads may certainly be involved. At any particular time the relative value of
each specific feature or trait varies. Looks, intellect, wealth, family, religion,
sense of humor, independence, and fertility, just to name a few, have all had
their time in the limelight as salient in partner selection. Among the matters that
seem to be taken for granted, however, is sexual orientation: one's erotic at-
traction to those of the same or opposite sex, or both. Although there may be
flexibility in some desires, only for a minority is there flexibility in sexual ori-
entation. For most individuals it is a fundamental prerequisite in choosing a
partner. In wanting an adult sexual encounter, an individual might act upon a
concept like, "I want to bed someone five feet to five feet six inches, with blue
eyes, blond hair, a long red dress, and high heels." Only rarely would this occur
without an understanding that the individual would be a female or a male in
drag. And this prime concern toward the sex of the intended partner is more
than on the other features.

Where does this emphasis on sexual orientation come from? The simple an-
swer is, "From an interaction of nature and nurture." Each of us has a biological

-45-