The Stonewall riots which formed the pillars of the current day LGBTQ+ rights movement have aided the current generations of today to fight for and along with the queer community in the name of humanity. Pride month which carries forth throughout June is a representation of the positive mindset and perspective towards the LGBTQ+ society. It has
brought together our hearts as members of the same planet, species and universe.
The belief that queerness is unnatural has driven the force behind the destructive homophobia that plagues our world even today. If we approach this socio-culturally, then it is reported that an estimate of 2% to 10% of people across cultures and societies openly identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. The reason for this number being so low has been attributed to the rampant hatred towards the LQBTQ+ society.
This homophobia/queerphobia has led to severe impacts on the queer community’s safety and health, both mental and physical.
There is an unethical, and baseless belief that being LGBTQ+ is an anomalous choice when there is heavy evidence of it being quite the opposite. Biologists have documented sexuality and socio-sexual behaviour in more than 450 species, including elements of homosexuality, and they have produced the argument that homosexuality is not a choice, and may play a vital role in species and populations, on the contrary.
In 2019, geneticists from institutes such as MIT and Harvard conducted one of the largest genetic studies known in science. They analyzed genes that are associated with sexual behaviour and these genes brought out information regarding same-sex preferences as well. The analysis of nearly 500,000 people’s DNA from the US and UK revealed that genetic factors are responsible for around 8% to 25% of same-sex behaviour. With Dean Hamer, who began the “hunt for the gay gene” in 1993, the discovery of male homosexuality being linked to the X chromosome was discovered. A certain section of the genetic material codes for same-sex behaviour in the male sex.
Since access to genome sequencing techniques have become less challenging with the development of technology, numerous studies have revealed the existence of a gene known as SLITRK6, which is active in the diencephalon of the brain, and the size of this brain region differ in people who are heterosexual or homosexual. Family and twin studies suggest that genes do play a role in sexual orientation. Limitations to these studies are that they are mostly focused on the male sex, and not much research has been conducted for the other sexes in humans.
Sex as a binary itself has been disproven. Sex has been described as a continuum rather, of an individual’s genetic makeup. The misconception that same-sex attraction is a personal choice brings about the opportunity for stigmatization and prejudice towards the queer community. Now we know that there are multiple sexes - male, female, intersex, etc. It is impossible to fit ourselves into a strict binary when science itself speaks otherwise.
Regarding animals, however, some promising results have been produced through studies of mice. Further gene candidates which could influence sexual preference have been discovered through animal research. A study conducted in 2010 linked sexual preference to a gene known as fucose mutarotase. When the gene was removed from the genome of the
female mice, they preferred to mount and attempt intercourse with female mice rather than males. They were also more responsive and reacted more to female odours.
The disruption of a gene known as TRPC2 can cause male mice to reduce or even completely stop male on male aggression and start showing attraction and initiating sexual behaviour towards both males and females. This gene works in the recognition of pheromones, which are chemicals that are released by a member of a species to bring about a response from another member. Pheromones can be involved in different kinds of behaviours and responses, such as prosocial behaviour, ethnocentrism, socio-sexual behaviour, etc. sexuality has been looked into more regarding pheromones within the last few years, although the existence of their sexual effects in humans has not been confirmed.
Apart from these genes, there have been others stumbled across as well through multiple studies. Although multiple candidates and possibilities of genes being linked to influence upon sexuality have been brought to light, it is doubtful that a single gene that codes for homosexuality exists. In other words, there is no one “gay gene”, but there could be multiple.
Apart from genes, hormones have also been attributed to being responsible for the formation of someone’s sexual orientation in general. The increase or decrease in the levels of testosterone has been suspected to play a role in homosexuality, although the research has not been completely validated yet.
Homosexual males have been hypothesized to have less testosterone, and homosexual females have said to have more amounts of the hormone in their bloodstream. However, as the years pass on, these two hypotheses have been said to be less and less credible.
The political attitudes about homosexuality have released a great impact on the world. The questionable belief that it is justified to debate human rights in a government building is a prime example of unprompted human aggression.
People’s political attitudes about homosexuality and sexual orientation, in general, correlate with their beliefs regarding the causes of sexual orientations. Individuals who possess positive attitudes about homosexuality have tended to believe that homosexuality is caused by biological, or nonsocial factors such as genetics, psychology, etc. The individuals who hold mainly negative attitudes towards homosexuality have tended to believe that it is caused by social factors and believe that homosexuality can be influenced by social groups or the media.
The exact cause for homosexuality is still not known, however, science is leaning more towards supporting the social causes over the non-social causes. The debate over homosexuality has spanned over for a couple of years now and even though we do not have a strong, finalized conclusion over the causal effects behind sexual orientation, one thing is certain. The LGBTQ+ community needs our support and love because at the end of the day we are all human beings residing on the same planet.
Even understanding basic terminology such as lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, etc. can aid the community and give them support. Education and understanding are the keys to the success of human society. The ignorance that looms over the queer community is destructive and will only lead to negative outcomes for the human race in general. We must strive to achieve fairness and equality for all.
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