Nature, Not Narrative: What Research Reveals About LGBTQ+ Identities - A Paper by Pierce Samuel
There is a common misconception that is used time and time again against members of the LGBTQ+ community. This is the myth that they choose to be LGBTQ+. This is a false narrative disproven by science time and time again. When society is able to push past this faux, it is able to focus more energy on more pressing issues within the community, and not the debate on whether or not someone chooses to be sexually and gender diverse.
Gender is not something you choose, and is biologically set. “As children mature, this innate imprinting expresses as genital anatomy, gender identity, sexual orientation and other physiologic capabilities and natural preferences along a continuum, between masculine and feminine. Thus, the concepts of binary heterosexual or homosexual, male or female, represent the furthest ends of the spectrum, with the vast majority of humans clustered near the heterosexual and gender-congruent ends of the spectrum, and a small percent falling in between, along the many mid-points of the spectrum” [f1]. The majority of people find themselves to be on opposite sides of the spectrum, leading to two extremes which society has put boxes around. Though, this social construct has harmed others in the process, as people who don’t fit into those extreme categories often feel isolated and othered from their peers [f2]. This rigid ideology is wrong; in addition this is supported with the quote “Sexual differentiation of the brain begins in the second trimester and likely completes postnatally. Because brain differentiation occurs months after differentiation of genitals, the differentiation of the body in one direction does not necessarily reflect the direction of the differentiation of the brain” [f1]. This supports the claim that the brain difference occurs after sex difference, leading to the conclusion that they are separate concepts. This research also explains why people have gender identities that do not align with their sex, as they are formed at different times in pregnancy. “Heterosexual, homosexual and transsexual individuals report that they are certain they were “born that way”, and prefer their status” [f1]. People have often heard this saying, but there is definite proof that it is true. Some people against the LGBTQ+ community might argue that being raised in an environment supporting a life like LGBTQ+ would influence them, but this claim is disproven. “There is no proof that social environment after birth has an effect on gender identity or sexual orientation” [f1].
Transgender individuals are often proven to have a brain that aligns more with their gender, and not their sex. “hypothalamic responses of both adolescent girls and boys diagnosed with GD were more similar to their experienced gender than their birth sex, which supports the hypothesis of a sex-atypical brain differentiation in these individuals.” [f3]. This is neurological proof that gender is not just a feeling, but a brain pattern recognized by science. That is not where the brain similarities stop. Some research is even shown that transgender men have similar arousal patterns as cisgender men, differing from cisgender women. [f4] “Transgender men's sexual arousal showed both male-typical and female-typical patterns. Across measures, they responded more strongly to their preferred gender than to the other gender, similar to (but not entirely like) 145 cisgender (nontransgender) men.” [f4]. This reinforces the idea that transgender people have brains more alike to their gender, not their sex.
But, transgender people aren't the only LGBTQ+ identity that has science on their side. Sexual Orientation is defined by Stanford Medical Education as: “Sexual orientation is how a person describes the gender or genders of people they are attracted to sexually or romantically.” [f5]. These identities include but are not limited to: gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, and aromantic. These identities are not something you choose to be, and are innate in someone [f6]. Twin studies have also shown that twins will more likely have the same sexual orientation, backing up the claim that sexuality is biological, and not a choice [f7].
In pregnancy, a fetus being exposed to certain hormones can also affect the person’s gender and sexual orientation [f8 and f9]. “We will then highlight findings that suggest a link between sexual orientation and epigenetic mechanisms. In particular, we will consider the case of women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). These women were exposed to high levels of testosterone in utero and have much higher rates of nonheterosexual orientation compared to non-CAH women.” [f8]. This is definite proof that if a fetus is exposed to certain hormones it can play a part in the person’s sexuality. “high levels of prenatal T in natal females and low levels in natal males play a part in the etiology of GD [Gender Dysphoria].” [f9]. This supports the fact that transgender folk don’t choose to be transgender, and it can be a result of an exposure to hormones in the womb.
In the end, sexuality and gender is not a choice; furthermore, it is something innate in oneself. The research on this subject is just beginning, but it sees no end any time soon. Understanding these identities is the first step in progressing as a society, and creating a more open and safe place for anyone. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health regarding their sexual and/or gender identity, please refer to The Crisis Lifeline (988) or The Trevor Project.
F1: “In Biological origins of sexual orientation and gender identity: Impact on health” by Katherine A. O'Hanlan, Jennifer C. Gordon, and Mackenzie W. Sullivan.
F2: Loneliness and Social Isolation among Transgender and Gender Diverse People André Hajek, Hans-Helmut König, Marco Blessmann, and Katharina Grupp.
F3: “Transgender brains are more like their desired gender from an early age” by The European Society of Endocrinology.
F4: “Patterns of Genital Sexual Arousal in Transgender Men” by Jamie Raines
F5: “Definition of Sexual Orientation” by Stanford Medical Education
F6: “Brain response to putative pheromones in homosexual men” by Ivanka Savic, Hans Berglund, and Per Lindström
F7: “Homosexual orientation in twins: a report on 61 pairs and three triplet sets” by F L Whitam, and M Diamond, J Martin
F8: “The biological basis of human sexual orientation: is there a role for epigenetics?” Tuck C Ngun and Eric Vilain
F9: “2D:4D Suggests a Role of Prenatal Testosterone in Gender Dysphoria” by Mostafa Sadr, Behzad S Khorashad, Ali Talaei, Nasrin Fazeli, and Johannes Hönekopp
