Having an online conversation with somebody on the science of lefthandedness

[conuly]

It's entirely amiable, and we've mostly been talking about the fact that a. all studies on lefthandedness are shit and b. science definitely doesn't have the answer as to why.

I've learned a couple of things, namely that there is apparently a correlation between left-handedness and having twins. Not being a twin, I already knew that, but giving birth to twins.

As you all know, the frequent (and ridiculous) argument against LGBT rights of any sort is "There's no gay gene, so it's not born!" and usually my rejoinder is "Who the hell cares?" because seriously, I don't. (Did you know there's a small, but real, correlation between being lefthanded and being trans? I've got no answer for that other than "neurodiversity works in mysterious ways". Like, none.)

Anyway, this relates. If you do even a cursory review of the material, you rapidly realize that nobody has a clue when it comes to handedness. So next time, instead of "LOL! What a stupid thing to say!" I'll tell the haters "Listen, we still don't have a coherent theory of lefthandedness, and you expect us to have the gay thing figured out?"

Comments

[ironed_orchid]

That's all interesting and I love your plan for winning arguments about gay genes.

[redbird]

That about twins is interesting; could you point me at sources so I can read about this.

If you convinced the bigots that being gay was inborn, some of them would probably switch immediately to the idea that there's something innately and biologically wrong with us and therefore we shouldn't be protected or allowed to reproduce. (Being bi makes it harder to use the argument that sexuality isn't chosen, and therefore I shouldn't be hassled or persecuted for having a female lover, because which people I seek out/will accept as partners is a choice.)

[conuly]

I can point you to where I got that little bit of info, but where they got it I'm not sure and should probably ask.

http://www.rightleftrightwrong.com/statistics.html

[conuly]

And yes, that's really my problem with the whole "born that way" argument - it completely sidesteps the real issue, which is that nobody should give a fuck who you're attracted to or what pronoun you use. (I'm aware they're different issues, of course, but the bigots rarely seem to be.)