LGBTQIA+ as Part of the Universal Fabric of Humanity
Conversations about sexuality and gender identity are often clouded by prejudice. Too many people still believe that being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, or asexual is somehow “unnatural,” “modern,” or even a threat to social order. These beliefs not only ignore the lived realities of LGBTQIA+ people, they also contradict decades of evidence from anthropology, biology, psychology, and history.
The aim of this essay is simple but urgent: to help readers see past prejudice by grounding the discussion in science and cross-cultural understanding. Evidence shows that LGBTQIA+ people are not outsiders to humanity but part of its universal fabric. Across time and places, diverse sexualities and genders have existed. Across different species, same-sex behaviour is natural. Across cultures, gender categories extend far beyond the binary.
By bringing this evidence together, we argue that LGBTQIA+ identities and behaviours are not deviations from human universality but expressions of it..
Sexuality and Its Regulation: A Human Universal
One of the most consistent findings in anthropology is that all societies regulate sexuality. The form of this regulation varies, but its presence is universal (Brown, 1991). In some isolated societies, premarital and extramarital sexual freedom is common (e.g., the Trobriand Islanders), while others enforce restrictive codes (e.g., the Yanomami). What matters for our purposes is that same-sex relationships and nonbinary gender roles are also found across these societies. This demonstrates that LGBTQIA+ people are not a modern “invention” but a recurring feature of human diversity.
Cross-Cultural Evidence of Same-Sex Behavior and Gender Diversity
Same-sex behavior has been documented in many small-scale and Indigenous societies: the Etoro of Papua New Guinea ritualize same-sex acts as part of male initiation (Herdt, 1984), and historical accounts from the Siwa Oasis in Egypt note socially integrated same-sex partnerships (Murray & Roscoe, 1998). Similarly, gender diversity is evident in numerous cultures. Two-Spirit roles among Indigenous North Americans, fa’afafine in Samoa, and the Bugis’ five-gender system in Indonesia all show that societies have long recognized identities beyond a strict male/female binary (Nanda, 2014).
These examples establish two key points: (1) same-sex intimacy and gender diversity are widespread and enduring features of human societies, and (2) the ways cultures interpret and integrate them vary, but their existence is constant.
Biological and Evolutionary Perspectives
Biological evidence also undermines the idea that heterosexuality and binary gender roles are the sole “natural” human states. Same-sex behavior has been documented in over 1,500 animal species (Bagemihl, 1999), suggesting it is a natural part of life’s diversity. From an evolutionary standpoint, theories such as “kin selection” propose that non-reproductive individuals may enhance their inclusive fitness by supporting kin (Wilson, 1975; Vasey, 2016). In human societies, this often translates to LGBTQIA+ individuals playing vital social and caregiving roles that strengthen group survival.
Additionally, neuroscience and psychology provide evidence for biological underpinnings of sexual orientation and gender identity. Twin studies show higher concordance for homosexuality among identical twins compared to fraternal ones, indicating genetic influence (Bailey et al., 2000). Research into brain structure and prenatal hormone exposure further supports biological contributions (Hines, 2011).
Psychological and Social Well-being
The American Psychological Association (APA) affirms that diverse sexual orientations and gender identities are not mental disorders but normal variations of human sexuality (American Psychological Association, 2009). What threatens well-being is not identity itself but stigma and discrimination. Numerous studies find that LGBTQIA+ individuals experience higher rates of depression and anxiety due to minority stress, yet thrive when supported socially and legally (Meyer, 2003; Hatzenbuehler, 2009).
This reinforces the argument that LGBTQIA+ identities are part of humanity’s fabric: the difficulties they face are culturally imposed, not inherent.
Dispelling Common Myths About LGBTQIA+ People
Myth 1: LGBTQIA+ identities are modern inventions.
Correction: Anthropological evidence shows that same-sex relationships and diverse gender roles have existed across cultures and throughout history (Nanda, 2014; Herdt, 1984). Identities may be labeled differently today, but the experiences are not new.
Myth 2: LGBTQIA+ people are “unnatural.”
Correction: Same-sex behavior has been observed in more than 1,500 animal species (Bagemihl, 1999). Human gender diversity is also mirrored in many cultural traditions, such as Two-Spirit roles in North America and fa’afafine in Samoa. Diversity in sexuality and gender is part of nature.
Myth 3: LGBTQIA+ identities are caused by trauma or social contagion.
Correction: Psychological research shows no link between sexual orientation or gender identity and negative childhood experiences (American Psychological Association, 2009). Instead, twin and neuroscience studies point to genetic, hormonal, and biological influences (Bailey et al., 2000; Hines, 2011).
Myth 4: LGBTQIA+ people harm social stability.
Correction: Historically and cross-culturally, LGBTQIA+ people have contributed to kinship networks, caregiving, ritual leadership, and cultural creativity. From an evolutionary perspective, non-reproductive roles often enhance group survival through kin support (Vasey, 2016).
Myth 5: Acceptance of LGBTQIA+ identities is a “Western” idea.
Correction: While the modern acronym is Western, diverse sexualities and genders are documented in Indigenous cultures worldwide (Murray & Roscoe, 1998; Nanda, 2014). In fact, colonialism often suppressed these traditions.
Simply Put
Taken together, anthropology, biology, psychology, and evolutionary theory converge on the same conclusion: LGBTQIA+ people are not outliers but integral threads in the tapestry of humanity. Across time and cultures, same-sex love and gender diversity have existed; across species, they are natural phenomena; and in psychological science, they are recognized as healthy human variations. The universality lies not in a single “natural” sexual or gender form, but in the persistence of diversity itself.
To affirm LGBTQIA+ people, therefore, is not to bend human tradition but to recognize what has always been true: they are, and have always been, part of the human family.
References
Brown, D. E. (1991). Human universals. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Nanda, S. (2014). Gender diversity: Crosscultural variations. Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press.
Wilson, E. O. (1975). Sociobiology: The new synthesis. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
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