Sexual Orientation and Identities: What Evolutionary Biology Wants you to Know

RAINBOW CORNER

While one theory suggests an asteroid crashed into our planet, transporting alien cells with life forms to the terra firma, another indicates the possibility of cataclysm, where years of metallic hailstorm released life-creating molecules that eventually linked up to form RNA. The cells then meticulously replicated themselves to adapt to the earth's atmosphere, setting in motion a chain of events we now call evolution.

The dawn of Homo sapiens – and the progression of identities

Over the next few million years, as life evolved, the animal kingdom started to prosper, eventually creating the first human-like genera – with complex, bigger brains that enabled them to advance the communication skills they were born with and connect with their surroundings in new and different ways. As the environment became more unpredictable and volatile, bigger brains helped some of our stronger ancestral species to survive – such as the Homo sapiens.

Unlike every other human species that didn't make it to the present (e.g., the Habilis, Erectus, Neanderthals, etc.), the Homo sapiens cohort does not have a true-type specimen. Even though Linnaeus first described our species in 1758, there is not a particular individual that researchers recognize as being the designated kind that gave Homo sapiens its iconic nomenclature – a finding that stemmed from heaps of studies on anatomical, sexual, and numerous other preferences.

In simpler words – science and evolution have more than proven that humans can have a variety of sexual preferences, and even evolve further to create newer identities we are still clueless about.

Genetics and their role in shaping our preferences

Homosexuality is perceived by most as a social problem. As such, there has been sharp attention toward sex posing the origins of homosexuality among many scholars, from anthropologists to zoologists, psychologists to theologians. Research has indicated that those who think sexual orientation is instinctive are more likely to have understanding approaches toward gay men and lesbians, whereas those who believe it is an option have less tolerant attitudes.

Ascribing the etiology of homosexuality to genetics specifies that homosexuality is immutable and irreversible, and therefore is not a choice or "lifestyle." Research has uncovered that optimistic approaches toward homosexuality are linked with the faith that its origins are biological, whereas negative attitudes are associated with the view that its origin is a personal choice.

Because beliefs about the sources of homosexuality are greatly related to attitudes, it is likely that such theories will ultimately relate to social policy and behaviors.

The unbearable stigma of simply being

Despite these conclusions, however, civilized societies became a foe to specific factions of people, deemed them as 'hormonally imbalanced', and obstructed their path to mainstreaming. They were chastised for intuitively identifying their orientation as different from the vast majority.

Homophobia, stigma (negative and usually unfair beliefs), and discrimination (unfairly treating a person or group of people) against gay, bisexuals have negatively affected the health and well-being of this community.

Such barriers to health must be addressed at different levels of society, such as healthcare settings, workplaces, and schools to improve the health of gay and bisexual men throughout their lives.

Even more muddled are LGBTQIA++ rights in situations of harassment in the workplace, such as offensive comments and other acts meant to make employees from the community feel uncomfortable and unsafe. The legal standard that must be met in order to prove "workplace harassment" (also known as "hostile work environment"), the employee must be able to show that the offensive conduct was "so severe or pervasive that it materially altered the terms and conditions of the employment." It is a relatively high standard that usually requires more than an isolated comment.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals can encounter significant barriers in receiving accessible and inclusive health care and finding medical providers that are knowledgeable about their needs.

Many LGBTQ people report delaying or avoiding seeking care because they're concerned about how they may be treated by a provider. Bias and stigma in medical, employment and other social settings can, in this way, not only have a significant mental and emotional toll but also pose dangers to physical health and wellbeing.

Evolution: are we there yet?

Billions of years after life began on earth, despite humans having elaborate brain structures, we may have stunted our cerebral evolution.

Of all the misfortunes that can befall a Homo sapien, one reigns supreme – the inability to celebrate life, love, and uniqueness. Because, somewhere in there, by turning into self-proclaimed arbiters of morality, we forgot to become what evolution expected us to be – creatures capable of humanity.

While science, someday, will share more compelling theories on how life began, there is ample information on what we can do to sustain, and even beautify it. We possess a unique skill, something that no other member of the animal kingdom can ever boast of – the ability to control, suppress and even reverse negativity-causing hormones in our neurotransmitters. This, in turn, leads to kindness and goodwill, whose intoxicating ripple effects can possibly sweep through the masses, generating an astronomical amount of happiness.

Imagine a world where we, simply by letting people be their unique selves, make that happen.

And that's how you plug into the beautiful underbelly of society and celebrate what individuals are made up of – billions of molecules of pure, unadulterated, 24-karat life.

Also Read: Let us Preserve Wildlife and Give Animals their Natural Habitats Back

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