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Ishita Roy

‘Work Stress Makes You Gay’: Why Malaysian Minister's Remark Proves The Need To Understand Sex, Gender And Sexuality

Work Stress makes you gay (Canva)

LGBTQ community (Canva)

Work stress could make you gay, said a Malaysian minister Zulkifli Hasan, as continued government intervention of what is described as 'sexually deviant behavior' has pressured the country's LGBTQ community. This happened two weeks after religious authorities and police acted on complaints from a sultan and Islamist politicians that a camping retreat was promoting the LGBTQ lifestyle, reported South China Morning Post. 

Religious Affairs Minister Hasan on Tuesday said that work stress could be among many other factors that is pushing people into sexual orientations other than heterosexuality. “Societal influence, sexual experiences, work stress and other personal factors come under this category [of possible causes],” Zulkifli said in a written parliamentary reply to a question by Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff, a lawmaker with the opposition Islamist party PAS.

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He cited a 2017 study by Sulaiman et.al., that said such elements "can contribute to the increase in LGBT acts". 

His comments have attracted a lot of backlash, with many people on social media mocking him. A social media user Muaz Zam said, "By this logic, I am genuinely shocked my entire office isn't gay by now". Another one read: "In other words: they never work hard in the parliament."

However, these claims are not scientifically back. Work related stress can impact a person, but cannot change their <span>sexuality</span>. It can, however, cause health effects. What it does not do is change one's sexuality and this is why one should know the difference about gender, sex and sexual orientation or sexuality. 

<h2>'<span rel="noindex">Work Stress Makes You Gay</span>': The Difference Between Gender vs Sex</h2>

While these both terms are often used interchangeably in official forms, there is a difference between the two. 

As per the <strong>Council of Europe</strong>, gender is an area that cuts across thinking about society, law, politics, and culture.

Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/trump-administration-deadnames-transgender-former-hhs-officer-rachel-levine-in-official-portrait-article-153258924" data-type="tilCustomLink">Trump Administration Deadnames Transgender Former HHS Officer Rachel Levine in Official Portrait</a> 

<h2>Definition Of Gender vs Sex by WHO</h2>

The<strong> World Health Organization </strong>notes that <em>sex </em>refers to: "the different biological and physiological characteristics of males and females, such as reproductive organs, chromosomes, hormones, etc.” 

Whereas, <em>gender </em>refers to: "the socially constructed characteristics of women and men – such as norms, roles and relationships of and between groups of women and men. It varies from society to society and can be changed. The concept of gender includes five important elements: relational, hierarchical, historical, contextual and institutional. While most people are born either male or female, they are taught appropriate norms and behaviours – including how they should interact with others of the same or opposite sex within households, communities and work places. When individuals or groups do not “fit” established gender norms they often face stigma, discriminatory practices or social exclusion – all of which adversely affect health."

<h2>Definition Of Gender vs Sex by The European Institute For Gender Equality</h2>

“<em>Sex </em>refers to the biological and physiological characteristics that define humans as female or male. These sets of biological characteristics are not mutually exclusive, as there are individuals who possess both, but these characteristics tend to differentiate humans as females or males.”

“<em>Gender </em>refers to the social attributes and opportunities associated with being female and male and to the relationships between women and men and girls and boys, as well as to the relations between women and those between men. These attributes, opportunities and relationships are socially constructed and are learned through socialisation processes. They are context- and time-specific, and changeable. Gender determines what is expected, allowed and valued in a woman or a man in a given context. In most societies, there are differences and inequalities between women and men in responsibilities assigned, activities undertaken, access to and control over resources, as well as decision-making opportunities. Gender is part of the broader sociocultural context. Other important criteria for sociocultural analysis include class, race, poverty level, ethnic group and age.”

The main difference is that gender is a social construct, whereas sex is the biologically labelled term based on organs and hormones.

Read More: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/trumps-top-health-nominee-wants-corrective-care-for-trans-people-article-151413441" data-type="tilCustomLink">Trump's Top Health Nominee Wants ‘Corrective Care’ For Trans People</a>

As per the American Psychological Association (APA), sexuality is the capacity to derive pleasure from various forms of sexual activity and behavior. The Lanarkshire Sexual Health describes sexual orientation as a way to describe the feelings you have for someone you fancy or are attached to. 

While sexuality can change overtime, it is not a choice. There is no evidence that sexual orientation can be forced to change through therapy. 

While stress can impact sexual function by reducing libido, causing fatigue, and triggering hormonal changes, it does not change one's sexual orientation. Jason Teoh, who writes on LGBTQ issues, project partner at NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, notes: "Sexual orientation is not caused by stress. It is not caused by trauma, influence or difficult life circumstances."

The WHO notes: sexual orientation is a natural, stable part of human identity shaped by biology, genetics, and early development. The WHO removed homosexuality from its disease classification in 1990. The American Psychiatric Association did the same in 1973.

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Work stress could make you gay, said a Malaysian minister Zulkifli Hasan, as continued government intervention of what is described as 'sexually deviant behavior' has pressured the country's LGBTQ community. This happened two weeks after religious authorities and police acted on complaints from a sultan and Islamist politicians that a camping retreat was promoting the LGBTQ lifestyle, reported South China Morning Post. Religious Affairs Minister Hasan on Tuesday said that work stress could be among many other factors that is pushing people into sexual orientations other than heterosexuality. “Societal influence, sexual experiences, work stress and other personal factors come under this category [of possible causes],” Zulkifli said in a written parliamentary reply to a question by Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff, a lawmaker with the opposition Islamist party PAS.Also Read: Andy Kershaw Diagnosed With Spinal Cancer That Left Him Unable To WalkHe cited a 2017 study by Sulaiman et.al., that said such elements "can contribute to the increase in LGBT acts". His comments have attracted a lot of backlash, with many people on social media mocking him. A social media user Muaz Zam said, "By this logic, I am genuinely shocked my entire office isn't gay by now". Another one read: "In other words: they never work hard in the parliament."However, these claims are not scientifically back. Work related stress can impact a person, but cannot change their sexuality. It can, however, cause health effects. What it does not do is change one's sexuality and this is why one should know the difference about gender, sex and sexual orientation or sexuality. 'Work Stress Makes You Gay': The Difference Between Gender vs Sex      While these both terms are often used interchangeably in official forms, there is a difference between the two. As per the Council of Europe, gender is an area that cuts across thinking about society, law, politics, and culture.Read: Trump Administration Deadnames Transgender Former HHS Officer Rachel Levine in Official Portrait Definition Of Gender vs Sex by WHOThe World Health Organization notes that sex refers to: "the different biological and physiological characteristics of males and females, such as reproductive organs, chromosomes, hormones, etc.” Whereas, gender refers to: "the socially constructed characteristics of women and men – such as norms, roles and relationships of and between groups of women and men. It varies from society to society and can be changed. The concept of gender includes five important elements: relational, hierarchical, historical, contextual and institutional. While most people are born either male or female, they are taught appropriate norms and behaviours – including how they should interact with others of the same or opposite sex within households, communities and work places. When individuals or groups do not “fit” established gender norms they often face stigma, discriminatory practices or social exclusion – all of which adversely affect health."Definition Of Gender vs Sex by The European Institute For Gender Equality“Sex refers to the biological and physiological characteristics that define humans as female or male. These sets of biological characteristics are not mutually exclusive, as there are individuals who possess both, but these characteristics tend to differentiate humans as females or males.”“Gender refers to the social attributes and opportunities associated with being female and male and to the relationships between women and men and girls and boys, as well as to the relations between women and those between men. These attributes, opportunities and relationships are socially constructed and are learned through socialisation processes. They are context- and time-specific, and changeable. Gender determines what is expected, allowed and valued in a woman or a man in a given context. In most societies, there are differences and inequalities between women and men in responsibilities assigned, activities undertaken, access to and control over resources, as well as decision-making opportunities. Gender is part of the broader sociocultural context. Other important criteria for sociocultural analysis include class, race, poverty level, ethnic group and age.”The main difference is that gender is a social construct, whereas sex is the biologically labelled term based on organs and hormones.Read More: Trump's Top Health Nominee Wants ‘Corrective Care’ For Trans PeopleWhat Is Sexuality?      As per the American Psychological Association (APA), sexuality is the capacity to derive pleasure from various forms of sexual activity and behavior. The Lanarkshire Sexual Health describes sexual orientation as a way to describe the feelings you have for someone you fancy or are attached to. While sexuality can change overtime, it is not a choice. There is no evidence that sexual orientation can be forced to change through therapy. Can Stress Impact Sexuality?While stress can impact sexual function by reducing libido, causing fatigue, and triggering hormonal changes, it does not change one's sexual orientation. Jason Teoh, who writes on LGBTQ issues, project partner at NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, notes: "Sexual orientation is not caused by stress. It is not caused by trauma, influence or difficult life circumstances."The WHO notes: sexual orientation is a natural, stable part of human identity shaped by biology, genetics, and early development. The WHO removed homosexuality from its disease classification in 1990. The American Psychiatric Association did the same in 1973.

‘work stress makes you gay’: why malaysian minister's remark proves the need to understand sex, gender and sexuality

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