Sexual Orientation

David Myers’ own reflections

• Most are straight, some are gay, and why it is that way. (PDF) (2016, February). Christian Educators Journal. (Co-published by RespectfulConversation.net, with reply by and dialogue with Chris Grace.)
• A textbook summary (PDF) of the emerging scientific understanding of sexual orientation from Myers, D. G., & C. N. DeWall (2021), Psychology, 13th edition. New York: Worth Publishers.
• The church’s future in a gay-supportive age. Article published in Perspectives, (2012, August/September).
• Bridging the gay-evangelical divide: Extreme opinions move toward the middle. (2009, August). Wall Street Journal essay about increasing common ground between social scientists and religious conservatives.
• A marriage option for all. (PDF) (2007). In J. Brockman (Ed.), What is your dangerous idea? New York: Harper Perennial, pp. 95-97.
• Interview with The Advocate. (PDF) (2005, July 5).
• ”God and gays” (PDF) (chapter from A Friendly Letter to Skeptics and Atheists).
• What God has joined together: The Christian case for gay marriage. Myers, D. G., & Scanzoni, L. D. HarperSanFrancisco, 2005.
• A condensed chapter (Changing sexual orientation?) from the above book. Published in Perspectives (2005, May).
• Brief essay in reply to a critique of above chapter (Perspectives, 2005, September). Robert Gagnon’s extended (58,000 word) critical review(PDF), and David’s response (PDF).
• For a briefer synopsis of research, plus David’s response to it for the faith community, see: Accepting what cannot be changed. Published in Perspectives (1999, June/July), pp. 5-7. (Note: The 2005 book extends and updates this.)
• Op-ed essay offers a pro-marriage case for contesting constitutional amendments against gay marriage.

From The American Psychological Association

• Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
• 2004 Resolution on Sexual Orientation and Marriage (PDF) and “Resolution on Sexual Orientation, Parents, and Children.”
• Amicus Brief (PDF) for New Jersey court case (October, 2004).

For the contrasting views of others within the faith community, visit, on the one hand…

• Bible, gender, sexuality: Reframing the church’s debate on same-sex relationships, by James V. Brownson
• A letter to my congregation, by Ken Wilson
• God and the gay Christian: The biblical case in support of same-sex relationships, by Matthew Vines
• Other noteworthy books by Mark Achtemeier, William Stacey Johnson, Jack Rogers, Justin Lee, and David Gushee

And on the other…

• Science and Same-Sex Orientation and Behavior: Is the Evidence Really That Neat and Tidy?, by Chris Grace (David’s alternative perspective is here. See also his response to Chris, Chris’s response to David, David’s rejoinder, and Chris’s rejoinder).
• Homosexuality and the Christian: A guide for parents, pastors, and friends, by Mark Yarhouse
• Homosexuality: The use of scientific research in the church’s moral debate, by Stanton L. Jones and Mark A. Yarhouse
• The Bible and homosexual practice: Texts and hermeneutics, by Robert A. J. Gagnon