Living Wisdom — Factors that may contribute to same‑gender attraction

Based on insights from David Riddell’s Living Wisdom framework — presented here as an explanatory, pastoral resource rather than a clinical view.

1. Unmet emotional needs

When emotional connection or affirmation from same‑gender figures is lacking, individuals may later seek to fill that gap through deep emotional attachment to others of the same gender.

2. Identity and belonging issues

Those who felt different, rejected, or alienated from same‑gender peers may develop idealisation or longing for acceptance from their own gender, which can sometimes manifest as attraction.

3. Gender‑role confusion

Feeling uncomfortable with conventional gender roles or uncertain about one’s identity can make same‑gender attraction more likely as part of exploring belonging and self‑acceptance.

4. Early wounding or sexual experience

Exposure to inappropriate or premature sexual experiences, especially with the same gender, can blur understanding of intimacy and influence attraction patterns.

5. Family dynamics and emotional enmeshment

Over‑dependence on one parent, emotional distance from the same‑gender parent, or disrupted family attachments can hinder healthy gender identity formation and relational confidence.

6. Internalised shame and false beliefs

Beliefs such as “I’m not good enough” or “I don’t belong” can distort relationships and drive attraction patterns. Living Wisdom focuses on exposing and replacing such false beliefs with truth, as behaviour follows belief.

The Living Wisdom approach

• Goal: healing and integration through truth‑coaching rather than condemnation.
• Method: identifying and replacing false beliefs, encouraging emotional and relational healing.
• Focus: pastoral, relational, and restorative — not medical or diagnostic.

Important note

This page summarises one pastoral perspective. Other frameworks — including psychological and scientific models — may include biological, genetic, and social influences. Living Wisdom focuses on belief and relational healing, not labels.

Prepared for JACSoft — a clear, concise single‑page overview for Astro site integration.