Abstract
This article broadly discusses the building blocks of sexuality by referring to differences in brain development in the womb, specific genetic factors influencing sex-reversal phenotypes and how they give rise to different sexes and sexual orientations. Gender identity and expression are reviewed, and a practical road map is presented within which religious denominations can responsibly engage with human sexuality, especially same-sex lifestyles, within their spheres of influence. Our concerns, discussions and suggestions about this all-important facet of humanity are based on the intellectual richness and research of numerous scientists over an extended period of time in order to point out the most important building blocks of sexuality. Following a qualitative methodological approach, the article starts with the brain differences between men and women as determined in the womb. It is followed by a discussion of the ‘five sexes’ proposed by Anne Fausto-Sterling, the spectrum of human sexual characteristics and the birth of sexual orientations. The article then looks at bisexuality, gender identity and expression, and before our concluding remarks, at biology and how religion should deal with sexuality, more specifically homosexuality. However, we do not pay attention to animal sexual behaviour, paedophilia, bestiality, gender differences in behaviour and public response to research findings on sexual differentiations in the brain.Contribution: This article is part of a special collection that reflects on the evolutionary building blocks of our past, present and future. It is not only based on historical thought but also contemporary research. It fits well with the intersectional and interdisciplinary nature of this collection and journal.
Highlights
IntroductionIt was accepted that humanity consisted of only two sexes, male and female, and their genders should be considered as equal, men were (and are) in many cultures viewed as superior to women
Brain differences between men and women1Traditionally it was accepted that humanity consisted of only two sexes, male and female, and their genders should be considered as equal, men were in many cultures viewed as superior to women
It was accepted that humanity consisted of only two sexes, male and female, and their genders should be considered as equal, men were in many cultures viewed as superior to women
Summary
It was accepted that humanity consisted of only two sexes, male and female, and their genders should be considered as equal, men were (and are) in many cultures viewed as superior to women. Today there is no argument anymore within the scientific community that brain differences exist between men and women These vast number of differences are caused by hormones that ‘determine the distinct male or female organisation of the brain as it develops in the womb’ (Moir & Jessel 1989:19). [S]ome sex biased genes were involved in brain function, reopening the debate about differences in male and female behaviour. Like it or not, evidence shows that men and women differ genetically far more profoundly that we have previously recognised. Normal female Simple consƟtuƟonal masculinism Adrenogenital masculinism Female homosexual Female transvesƟsm Female intersex without adrenal disorder True hermaphrodite Turner’s syndrome Pure gonadal dysgenesis Male intersex tesƟcular feminizaƟon syndrome Klinefelter’s syndrome Male transvesƟsm Male homosexual Adrenogenital feminism Simple consƟtuƟonal feminism Male with hypospadias Normal male
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