Homosexuality gene

[Zoe Horn]

First, let me explain. I'm ignorant. I'm a junior in a California public 
high school where ignorance runs as freely throughout the campus as drugs 
and macy's junior wear. We did not go into genetics at all in my biology 
class, so I know very, very little. But I have a question anyway. I have 
a few gay friends that recently came out. Even though they did not always 
know they were gay, it was apparent. This would lead me to beleive that 
homosexuality is caused by something genetic. I read in a book that some 
scientists beleive that they may have found the gene on the X chromosome. 
So, if I understand correctly, a mother would pass that gene on to her 
son. If she gave it to her daughter then her other X would be there to 
replace the faulty or missing protein so she would not be affected, right?
 So then, if that the gay gene, how do women get to be gay? The odds of 
her getting two faulty X's are very small; much smaller than the males 
chances of getting one. If this theory were true, then there would be way 
more gay men than women, or am I missing something? The other theory the 
book mentioned was that something went wrong in the developement of 
gender in the fetus. Could someone please explain this to me? Also, I 
would greatly appreciate some information on UC Davis' genetics program. 
I am intrested in a career in genetics, which only adds to my frustration 
with my current lack of knowledge. 

                                                                          
       Thank you.