Sexual orientation and height, weight, and age of puberty: new tests from a British national probability sample.

Research using non-representative samples indicates that certain sex-dimorphic physical, developmental and behavioral variables predict sexual orientation. In this study, three sex-dimorphic physical development variables-height, weight, and age of puberty/sexual maturation-and sexual orientation were examined in a British national probability sample (N=18,876). Women with same-sex inclinations (particularly bisexuals) had an earlier first sexual experience (approx. 1.4 years) and were taller (approx. 1 cm) than heterosexual women, but the height/sexual orientation relationship was complex. Lesbian/bisexual women did not differ from heterosexual women in age at menarche or in weight. Men with same-sex inclinations (particularly bisexuals) had an earlier first sexual experience relative to heterosexual men (approx. 3 months). Homosexual men did not significantly differ from heterosexual men in height or in weight, although there was some evidence that bisexual men were taller than heterosexual men (approx. 1 cm). The results challenge some prior research on sexual orientation and physical development using non-representative samples.