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
12 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.
homosexuality is against nature because you were not put here for that you were put here to and I quote "be fruitful and multiply" not be fruitty and let the species die out bad enough we are killing ourselves with guns we don't need help not reproducing either.
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.
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