ABSTRACT

In all the recent research on sexuality, one striking analogy that has been largely overlooked is that of sexuality and dexterity. This article is a parallel synthesis of the current knowledge of these two subjects. Although there does not seem to be a causal relationship between these two traits (a particular dextral tendency does not imply any associated sexual tendency, or vice versa), a short description of past attitudes and beliefs concerning left-handedness illustrates the historical similarity of social bias against homosexuality. Second, a discussion of the current scientific information on dexterity and sexuality reveals how these tendencies are in fact analogous. Finally, the article questions how society can maintain its discriminatory policies against homosexuality when it is no more a distinctive trait in human nature than left-handedness.