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Is Homosexuality "Against Nature?"
In November, 2006 a natural history museum exhibit opened in Oslo, Norway that features 51 species of animals that routinely exhibit homosexual behavior. It's called "Against Nature?" According to the project coordinator of the exhibition, Petter Bockman, homosexuality has been observed in 1,500 species and the phenomenon has been described in detail for 500 of them.
Scientists rarely discuss this topic. Many people who oppose homosexuality often refer to the behavior as "unnatural" and will even say, "You don't see animals doing that!" to prove their point. It turns out they are wrong.
Scientists tend not to discuss it because it doesn't appear to benefit the cause of continuing the species, the driving force assumed to underlie most behaviors and traits in living things. Yet, scientists may need to reconsider their slant on this. Furthering the species may not always be the ultimate goal.
Many animals -- especially humans -- engage in sexual activities much more than is needed for reproduction. Some scientists will offer other explanations including the one about homosexual behavior occurring for purposes of dominance, but some experts in the field just think it's about sexual pleasure -- pure and simple.
There are also scientists who hold the position that there may be some evolutionary benefits, such as alliances and protection among animals of the same sex -- best friends who "hook up," if you'll pardon the anthropomorphism.
Then there are interesting "couples" like the black swans. About 25% of these birds are raised by male-male "parents." Male couples sometimes mate with a female just to have a baby swan. Once she lays the egg, they chase her away, hatch the egg themselves and raise their baby swan.
Then there are the animals that just don't follow the "he and she" model. Some species have both male and female sex organs. And, many sea life species have no real "sex life." They just squirt their eggs or semen into the sea -- on the chance that it connects with the complementary part that also happens to be floating around in those same waters just then.
Animal homosexuality is poorly understood and many educators shy away from teaching it -- fearing that assumptions will be made about them. Others do not want to encounter the response of prejudiced and reactive people.
Why did I write about homosexual animals? To illuminate the lack of scientific basis for the argument that a homosexual way of life cannot be accepted among humans because it is against the "laws of nature." Fifteen hundred species (not individual organisms) can't all be "deviant" -- whatever that word means -- and after all, they are a part of "nature."
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Technorati Tags: sexuality, nature, nurture, animal behavior
Photo Credit: jb-foto
Scientists rarely discuss this topic. Many people who oppose homosexuality often refer to the behavior as "unnatural" and will even say, "You don't see animals doing that!" to prove their point. It turns out they are wrong.
Scientists tend not to discuss it because it doesn't appear to benefit the cause of continuing the species, the driving force assumed to underlie most behaviors and traits in living things. Yet, scientists may need to reconsider their slant on this. Furthering the species may not always be the ultimate goal.
Many animals -- especially humans -- engage in sexual activities much more than is needed for reproduction. Some scientists will offer other explanations including the one about homosexual behavior occurring for purposes of dominance, but some experts in the field just think it's about sexual pleasure -- pure and simple.
There are also scientists who hold the position that there may be some evolutionary benefits, such as alliances and protection among animals of the same sex -- best friends who "hook up," if you'll pardon the anthropomorphism.
Then there are interesting "couples" like the black swans. About 25% of these birds are raised by male-male "parents." Male couples sometimes mate with a female just to have a baby swan. Once she lays the egg, they chase her away, hatch the egg themselves and raise their baby swan.Then there are the animals that just don't follow the "he and she" model. Some species have both male and female sex organs. And, many sea life species have no real "sex life." They just squirt their eggs or semen into the sea -- on the chance that it connects with the complementary part that also happens to be floating around in those same waters just then.
Animal homosexuality is poorly understood and many educators shy away from teaching it -- fearing that assumptions will be made about them. Others do not want to encounter the response of prejudiced and reactive people.
Why did I write about homosexual animals? To illuminate the lack of scientific basis for the argument that a homosexual way of life cannot be accepted among humans because it is against the "laws of nature." Fifteen hundred species (not individual organisms) can't all be "deviant" -- whatever that word means -- and after all, they are a part of "nature."
Related Topics:
Technorati Tags: sexuality, nature, nurture, animal behavior
Photo Credit: jb-foto
Labels: homosexuality
29 Comments:
Bravo!
I never knew that about some black swans. I myself am gay and when I have tried to 'defend' myself against my older brother's argument that "animals don't do that, therefore: it is not natural." I have stopped because I didn't know what to say.
I find this interesting and true. Thanks!
Thank you so much for this very informative article. It's always wonderful to see a scientific, unbiased look at any part of our society.
~Bert
Excellent. Always kind of knew this as I've seen male dogs try to hump another. This information should be reinforced through the mass media if it hasn't already. To shut those hateful ignorant people up!
but we're not animals
We're not animals? That's one of the most ignorant things I've ever read. What are they teaching in science nowadays? Last time I checked, homo sapiens were part of the Animal Kingdom.
Ha, if they want to start comparing themselves with wild animals so be it. Will just add another level of humiliation to their cause. I myself like to think of myself as above an "animal" not the same thing as one.
I haven't seen any black swans developing art or written language, nor have I ever seen a bunch of animals establish a modernized society. It was funny that you threw wild animals into the subject of homosexual activity, because thats exactly what it represents.
You know, I was born different than most people. I lacked the ability to hear at birth. Growing up I had learning disorders, as well as personality disorders. Was society suppose to bend over backwards to suit me? Hell no! I had a problem and I did everything I could to become a civilized member of society.
To justify a problem as being a principle all because you refuse to find a solution is foolish. I characterize being civilized as moderating every portion of your daily life. To ask for more than what you actually need is a destructive and unbalanced lifestyle.
Anonymous, be careful not to trivialize the effects of powerful emotions you will never feel.
Also, humans are closer to animals than you think. Have you ever watched the TV show "Meerkat Manor"? Go rent it. You'd be surprised at how similar those desert rodents are to human communities.
-Charles Frederick
Anony @ 10:31 AM, you sound just as ignorant as those you label. FORTY, just because you are gay doesn't mean you can't reproduce. As for Anony @ 5:33AM, regardless of how civilized you think we are a highly destructive and barbaric species taking more than we need (we definitely don't NEED computers)
First off, I think it is fitting that one of the posters would quote the Bible in response to an article talking about science...
And the whole claim about reproduction? Our species is in no danger of dying out because of underpopulation. In fact, we are suffering from the opposite problem!
This great article is yet another example of how science supports homosexuality as natural, healthy behavior. Of course there will always be those that use their personal prejudices to undermine objective scientific thought and equality...
5:59 pm- Remember the song "You and me baby ain't nothing but mammals, so let's do like they do on the Discovery Channel...."
We are mammals, part of the ANIMAL KINGDOM. Our closest anatomical relative is the rat.
Also, to let people know, walruses also have homosexual tendencies. Many only mate with other males, in ways that are gender-specific.
THE IGNORANCE POSSESSED BY SOME OF THE BIAS READERS IS ASTOUNDING!... AS STUDIES SHOW SEXUAL ATTRACTION AND PREFERENCE IS NOT A CHOICE ITS HORMONAL AND BIOLOGICAL FACTORS THAT LEAD TO THE FORMING OF CERTAIN SEXUALITIES... ONLY GOD KNOWS OUR MENTAL STATE PRIOR TO BIRTH SO HOW CAN ONE ARGUE CREATION... GOD IS A GOD OF BALANCE AND A GOOD BALANCE IS HOMOSEXUALITY... IF EVERYONE WAS OUT HERE SIMPLY USING WOMEN AS TOOLS OF REPRODUCTION THEN WHAT SORT OF WORLD WOULD THIS BE? THAT WOULD BE UNCOMMON AND IT WOULD PROBABLY LEAD TO OUR DOWNFALL! SO IF U WILL PLEASE CONTINUE TO ALLOW UR IGNORANCE TO CLOUD SIMPLE ANALYOGY AND CONTINUE TO BE MISLEAD.... THANK YOU.
I feel as though the information did not provide the answer most were looking for; however, it was moderately useful, nonetheless.
We think we are so grand, because we have Art, and Science, and Language. And yet we are not smart enough to find a balance with nature. Six billion is not the ideal human population, far too many I'm afraid. I think the Earth could stand to lose a few of us. That being said those who say it is wrong, say it because they learned young from someone else, who learned it young. And so on back through the ages. Somewhere, someone decided it seemed wrong, and instead of just not doing it themselves they decided to give hell to everyone else. Life sucks, mostly because we like to make it suck for others when we are feeling sucky.
Less people, less concern for each other. More thought, more steps forward.
denver, i hope we all relize we have some choice and some are biological, being gay is not a simple choice, straight people dont choose to be hetro , you are or your not , i think a combination of genetic and enviroment makes the choice for us.
i agree with this article. i am sick and tired of the stupid gay jokes and the gay haters messing with me. most people have no idea how hard it is to be gay. i used to like boys but then i met the love of my life and now she and i have been together for two years now. homosexuals cant help their orientation. it isnt our fault. if you want someone to blame, blame the straight people who are having the homosexuals-its their fault. i have read that it is more likly for a child to become gay if they grow up in a necltful or abusive home. both my lover and i have grown up like that so i believe that it is true.
~SLF
I only know one thing... GOD created all and every creature in the world... I am not going to criticize his labor... He is the only one that can judge!
Cat's
There have been many times when I said "I'm straight" and there have been countless people who assume I'm straight based on my behavior. More than half the people I know of today have yet to know my orientation. The thing is, I didn't choose to be gay. There has been non biological proof that I was born this way, but I am. No soul would choose to be gay if it knew the horrendous outcome of their choice. For you who believe this is a lifestyle choice-for lack of a better phrase-Shove It. Homosexuality is natural, just as hetersexuality and bisexuality are.
I'm very pleased to see an article that proved animals do partake in homosexual activity, although i already knew most animals had. I'd like to see the exhibit in Oslo, Norway.
lol god doesn't exist
i think that this is an awesome article. i agree with most of you but i think you are missing one thing....the fact is that homophobia is not just simply the fear of gay and lesbian people. the people who show homophobia are usually not willing to except thing's they do not understand. there will always be haters that is just the world we live in, but i think that they need to get over it because there has been a large increase in the homosexual area. GET OVER IT PEOPLE WE ARE HERE TO STAY!
i would be interested to talk to some people on this subject so if you have a comment hit me up at
akuma_mizu@yahoo.com, no spam please i can track ip addresses
First of all, male and female genitalia were created for union/mating between a male and a female and, of course, procreation.
Anything else merely seems an act of sexual contact between humans of same sex. My common sense kicks in and prevents me from the idea that same-sex unions in humans
is healthy: emotionally, mentally or physically. I cannot accept it was meant to be. However, to each his/her own. Not my problem.
Similarity and commonality does not imply equality. That's common sense. Human beings are on a higher order than other animals. We don't eat our young, each other, or have sexual relations with the same sex.
I love the ignorance of some who state their black and white opinions, like they know everything and think that they're always right. Atheists have their rights, but don't force your beliefs on others - you should take a look at yourself and see how narrow-minded it sounds to state "god doesn't exist". Not everything in this universe is explainable, so stop assuming that there isn't any variation possible other than your black and white beliefs.
I have some gay friends and they are special to me. But I have to say that being homoseual is against nature. Sex is between and man and woman to concieve, to expan families. I am married to my wonderful and loving husband and we are trying for a baby. It is also against God's Word that is why he created Adam and Eve...MAN AND WOMAN.
I don't judge those who are gay that is HIS responsibility. I try and get along with my brothers and sisters and hope that my loved ones will be there when I enter HIS kingdom.
I have some gay friends and they are special to me. But I have to say that being homoseual is against nature. Sex is between and man and woman to concieve, to expan families. I am married to my wonderful and loving husband and we are trying for a baby. It is also against God's Word that is why he created Adam and Eve...MAN AND WOMAN.
I don't judge those who are gay that is HIS responsibility. I try and get along with my brothers and sisters and hope that my loved ones will be there when I enter HIS kingdom.
Of course homosexual behavior is natural, humans are natural and what we do is part of nature. Think of all the "un-natural" things humans do that animals don't, like flying without wings, typing into computers, listening to music, the list is so long. Are we now going to say that all these activities are not natural because other animals don't do it? If you want to discuss unnatural behavior then go after something destructive and uniquely human like organized war, genocide, rape, and murder without the intent to eat or die.
Religion is completely man-made and unnatural as far as I am concerned. Pure superstition.
Homosexual couples I know are some of the most beautiful relationships. Who said it cannot or is not, look in front of you it is not just possible, its a beautiful thing. Make love not war, better to make love between two men than kill each other.
Consider reading John Harvey's "The Truth about Homosexuality."
To Anon from 5/26/2009. I have to wonder if you think straight coules who engage in sexual activities but use contraceptives, or engage in other kinds of sex (if you catch my drift) are unhealthy because there's no procreation. If a man/woman in a relationship is infertile, would they never be anle to have a healthy relationship, either, for the same reason?
And to Anon (7/12/09), that's a faulty comparison, as humans clearly DO engage in same-sex activities, whether you'd like to admit it or not. Obviously every human does it, but that doesn't suddenly make gays/lesbians/bisexuals sub-human.
And lastly to anon from 11/1/09, a quick google search tells me "The Truth About Homosexuality" is most likely incredibly biased. I choose to trust something more objective, like science.
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