Biology of Sexual Identity and Orientation – Part 2

[Butterfly]

Biology of Sexual Identity and Orientation – Part 2
LGBT Latest Science
Posted by Geekgirl in Uncategorized.
22 December, 2009


http://lgbtlatestscience.wordpress.com/2009/12/22/sex-hormones-and-the-brain-part-2/


For many individuals, their anatomy, gender identity and sexual orientation fit the mold of heterosexual and cisgender. What does this mean? If a person has male genitals, they usually identify as male and like girls. For a long time, we have considered this normal and have used negative, hurtful words to describe humans who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. We've seen it as an illness, a choice, a sin, or just plain freaks.

Most of us don't realize that our sense of sexuality extends beyond our genitals. Our brain has a gender identity that tells us if we are male or female. Or maybe in between. The same for our sexual attraction. Some people are attracted to members of the opposite sex, the same sex or both.

So how do we know that gender identity exists inside the brain? Let's tackle this section of the paper  first.