# Does eating soy make you gay? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 12, 2010, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eating-soy-make-you-gay/550052 "2010-08-12T16:21:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2010, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eating-soy-make-you-gay/550052/21 "2010-08-12T18:59:00Z")
WRT soy and breast cancer, the Mayo Clinic’s website currently says (noted in a discussion on menopausal symptoms, not cancer, but about the cancer scare specifically) [“Experts generally consider whole foods containing soy or isoflavones to be healthy and safe, when consumed in moderation.”](http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hot-flashes/DS01143/DSECTION=alternative-medicine) ---
**Author:** ![GiantRat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@GiantRat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GiantRat)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2010, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eating-soy-make-you-gay/550052/22 "2010-08-12T19:34:02Z")
I thought that it was eating penis that made you gay. Call me a confused heterosexual. On a more relevant note, I’ve read about the “feminization” effects of soy (and have actually somewhat avoided it with my sushi at times, but not because I’m afraid of “catching the gay”). The potential increase in “female” hormones might be a reasonable medical concern, though. Like the dreaded man-boobs, for example; or even worse, testicular shrinkage (or even worse than worse, penile shrinkage!!!). We all deserve the right to not be laughed out of bed, after all. And if soy fucks with that, I’ll burn every damned Chinese restaurant I can find (after safely evacuating and compensating the staff of course - don’t ban me 🙂 ) ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2010, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eating-soy-make-you-gay/550052/23 "2010-08-12T20:33:47Z")
You worry too much. You just have to make sure you eat enough things containing testosterone-like substances to offset the soy. Like a monster truck. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2010, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eating-soy-make-you-gay/550052/24 "2010-08-12T22:49:06Z")
Well this thread brings new meaning to “soy sauce”. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2010, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eating-soy-make-you-gay/550052/25 "2010-08-12T22:56:33Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > While the responses so far are humorous (truly…that guy at WND deserves all the derision we can muster) but please remember there is a legitimate question on the table I am curious to see answered. You seriously think that there’s an answer besides no? ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2010, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eating-soy-make-you-gay/550052/26 "2010-08-12T23:01:26Z")
There has been a lot of research into gay men and lesbians and hormone levels and the findings are close to unanimous that their estrogen and testosterone levels are indistinguishable from those of straight people. This ended one form of “reparative therapy” when gay men were given testosterone injections and lesbians estrogen injections to ‘cure’ them. I doubt soy would cause anybody to be gay, but perhaps it may have a lot to do with the metrosexual craze I wonder just how many male bikini wax technicians owe their livelihood to a pregnant woman’s craving for Wok’N’Wolls takeout in the 1970s. > [@GiantRat](#): > > I thought that it was eating penis that made you gay. Call me a confused heterosexual. You’re a confused heterosexual. Eating penis makes you either a cannibal or a reality show contestant depending on the species. Orally stimulating it on the other hand can be indicative that you’re gay or that you’re extremely limber, depending upon whether it’s your own or somebody else’s. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2010, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eating-soy-make-you-gay/550052/27 "2010-08-12T23:10:44Z")
> [@](#): > > recent studies in men consuming soyfoods or supplements containing 40–70 mg/d of soy isoflavones showed few effects on plasma hormones or semen quality. These data do not support concerns about effects on reproductive hormones and semen quality. [Hormonal Effects of Soy in Premenopausal Women and Men](http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/132/3/570S) J. Nutr. 132:570S-573S, 2002 If I were inclined to worry about environmental estrogens making me gay, I’d be far more concerned about the [estrogenic Bisphenol A found in thermal cash register receipts](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisphenol_A) than I would be about soybean estrogens. Every time I buy a [Twinkie](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twinkie) at the Stop and Rob, I get that stuff on my hands, and then lick my fingers. Fortunately, I neither buy Twinkies, nor worry about environmental estrogens making me gay. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2010, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eating-soy-make-you-gay/550052/28 "2010-08-12T23:47:30Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Eating penis makes you either a cannibal or a reality show contestant depending on the species. So the jury’s still out on [Chew Kok](http://www.motivatedphotos.com/?id=89414), then. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eating-soy-make-you-gay/550052/29 "2010-08-13T10:36:47Z")
Soy is not the only thing that makes you gay Here are some examples with help of Billy From _the Family Circus_ [Example 1](http://a.imageshack.us/img706/8637/147yk.jpg) [Example 2](http://a.imageshack.us/img251/7743/familycircus1944.jpg) And Dolly from _the Family Circus_ also has a theory of the [origins of homosexuality](http://a.imageshack.us/img72/4949/familycircus0003.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Khaki\_Campbell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de053/32.png) [@Khaki\_Campbell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khaki_Campbell)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eating-soy-make-you-gay/550052/30 "2010-08-13T11:27:37Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > There seems to be some concern that soy could abet getting breast cancer. Then again seems soy has some properties to avoid cancer. Correlation \<\> causation and shit. People who actually eat soy (that little gutter watery thingie) generally have “healthier” eating choices. That is, they eat less red meat. They live longer, but more bored. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eating-soy-make-you-gay/550052/31 "2010-08-13T12:36:28Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > WRT soy and breast cancer, the Mayo Clinic’s website currently says (noted in a discussion on menopausal symptoms, not cancer, but about the cancer scare specifically) [“Experts generally consider whole foods containing soy or isoflavones to be healthy and safe, when consumed in moderation.”](http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hot-flashes/DS01143/DSECTION=alternative-medicine) That’s a big key to staying healthy. Eat a balanced diet in moderation (mostly plants), don’t read oversimplified scary summaries of every research study that comes out, and espcially, avoid loony evangelicals. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eating-soy-make-you-gay/550052/32 "2010-08-13T15:02:38Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > … and espcially, avoid loony evangelicals. So, a moderate number of sane evangelicals is fine to be consumed as part of a mixed diet, then? ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eating-soy-make-you-gay/550052/33 "2010-08-13T15:18:13Z")
i don’t think that eating soy will turn the average guy gay, though it might make you a more sensitive person and more attentive to appearance. both might be a plus in the eyes of some women. mmmm… fried tofu ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eating-soy-make-you-gay/550052/34 "2010-08-13T15:21:42Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > > [@Jackmannii](#): > > > > … and espcially, avoid loony evangelicals. > > So, a moderate number of sane evangelicals is fine to be consumed as part of a mixed diet, then? No, a sane amount of moderate evangelicals. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eating-soy-make-you-gay/550052/35 "2010-08-13T18:25:57Z")
I’ll just offer that I’ve only been eating soy for the last year. A restaurant nearby has edamame. The only abnormal urges I’ve been having this whole time is to go back and eat more edamame. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eating-soy-make-you-gay/550052/36 "2010-08-13T18:52:27Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > I’ll just offer that I’ve only been eating soy for the last year. A restaurant nearby has edamame. The only abnormal urges I’ve been having this whole time is to go back and eat more edamame. Ed Amame, you say? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2010, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eating-soy-make-you-gay/550052/37 "2010-08-14T01:17:15Z")
Tofu is huge in China. They must all be gay. I guess that would explain why there are so few children. I guess we just solved the terrible underpopulation of China. Whew. ---
**Author:** ![Taenia\_spp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5e925/32.png) [@Taenia\_spp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taenia_spp)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2010, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eating-soy-make-you-gay/550052/38 "2010-08-14T02:13:27Z")
I got curious about the health effects of soy and read various reviews of the current literature. IIRC, at the amounts of soy consumed normally (even in high soy-consuming regions like China and Japan), the phytoestrogens in the stuff is generally protective against many different cancers. Ambiguity seems to arise in certain types of breast cancer, though I think the observation that soy seems to be protective at certain times, but potentially harmful at other times is gaining a little traction. Then again, I think the take-away message is to eat more plant-based foods (including soy), and reduce consumption of meats. ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2010, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eating-soy-make-you-gay/550052/39 "2010-08-14T02:19:33Z")
I love tofu and edamame. My brother won’t touch the stuff. I’m straight, he’s gay. Q.E.D. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2010, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eating-soy-make-you-gay/550052/40 "2010-08-14T02:25:35Z")
Soy made me Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eating-soy-make-you-gay/550052.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-eating-soy-make-you-gay/550052.md?page=3)