Johannesburg - “There’s evidence to suggest that sexual orientation can be determined by physiological and biological mechanisms,” says Professor Michael Pepper.
The director of the Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Pretoria was speaking recently during a panel discussion on a report by the Academy of Science of SA (Assaf) on the diversity in human sexuality.
Assaf compiled the “Diversity in Human Sexuality” report together with the Ugandan Academy of Sciences. It was framed in an African context.
The panel, from across a wide spectrum of academic disciplines, addressed questions surrounding human sexual and gender diversity.
Pepper said there was more evidence to show that genetic dispositions played a role in homosexuality and bisexuality.
“If there’s a hormonal disruptions in the first trimester of pregnancy it can cause a discrepancy between gender identity and physical sex,” he said. There was no convincing evidence that the environment played a role. In a lot of cases where there’s a distant relationship between a son and a father, the son ends up being heterosexual not homosexual, as certain stereotypes suggest.”
Pepper said members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community were more prone to depression and anxiety because of the abuse and bullying they were subjected to.
“Genetically, there are no indicators to suggest that those who are sexually diverse have a predisposition to psychological disorders. They are under more stress because of the way they are treated,” he said.
Discovery Centre for Health Journalism at Rhodes University director Professor Harry Dugmore addressed issues of violence and tolerance. “Many world religions are battling with this. We need to encourage people, from whatever background, to be tolerant.”
When asked about the role the media can play in creating tolerance for the LGBTI community, Dugmore said: “The media play a progressive role in creating fairness and exposing discrimination and violence against those in the LGBTI community. The media can help to encourage people to be who they are and help in the fight against prejudice, especially in developing countries.
“We, like many countries around the world, struggled for years for laws that allow same-sex marriages and for prejudices against those who are sexually diverse,” he said.
Same-sex marriages were legalised in South Africa in 2005.
“Many people don’t realise that homosexuality isn’t something one can choose. It’s the same as not being able to choose our height or weight,” Dugmore added.
The panel hopes that with the findings made in the study, discrimination and stigmas against the LGBTI community will decrease significantly.
“Even if you don’t agree or it goes against your religion or culture, let’s stop this abuse and discrimination, and let people be,” Dugmore urged.
The Star