Homosexuality ‘learned’ (Press, 24 April 1979)

William Masters and Virginia Johnson, renowned sex researchers, claim in their new book "Homosexuality in Perspective," released on 24 April 1979, that homosexuality is learned rather than genetically predetermined. The couple, who have spent 25 years studying sexual behaviour, shared their findings during an interview on N.B.C.'s "Meet the Press." Dr Masters stated, "People are not genetically determined to be homosexual or heterosexual," asserting that sexual preferences are learned and can change over time. In their book, Masters and Johnson discuss their therapy work at the St Louis research centre, where they reported a 12 per cent failure rate in attempts to "convert" homosexuals to heterosexuality. They clarified that the individuals they worked with were highly motivated and that change should only occur by request from the individual wishing to alter their sexual orientation. The researchers maintained that conversion should not be pursued unless there is a genuine desire for change. Their findings suggested no physiological differences between homosexuals and heterosexuals regarding responses to sexual stimulation, a conclusion expected to spark significant debate, similar to the response to their previous landmark work, "Human Sexual Response," published in 1966. For this latest study, Masters and Johnson conducted interviews with over 300 homosexual men and women over their extensive research career.

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