The Biology of Homosexuality

[insleeforprez]

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=bisexual-species&print=true



Like most animal species, penguins tend to pair with the opposite sex, for the obvious reason. But researchers are finding that same-sex couplings are surprisingly widespread in the animal kingdom. Roy and Silo belong to one of as many as 1,500 species of wild and captive animals that have been observed engaging in homosexual activity. Researchers have seen such same-sex goings-on in both male and female, old and young, and social and solitary creatures and on branches of the evolutionary tree ranging from insects to mammals.

Unlike most humans, however, individual animals generally cannot be classified as gay or straight: an animal that engages in a same-sex flirtation or partnership does not necessarily shun heterosexual encounters. Rather many species seem to have ingrained homosexual tendencies that are a regular part of their society. That is, there are probably no strictly gay critters, just bisexual ones. “Animals don’t do sexual identity. They just do sex,” says sociologist Eric Anderson of the University of Bath in England.

Nevertheless, the study of homosexual activity in diverse species may elucidate the evolutionary origins of such behavior. Researchers are now revealing, for example, that animals may engage in same-sex couplings to diffuse social tensions, to better protect their young or to maintain fecundity when opposite-sex partners are unavailable—or simply because it is fun. These observations suggest to some that bisexuality is a natural state among animals, perhaps Homo sapiens included, despite the sexual-orientation boundaries most people take for granted. “ the categories of gay and straight are socially constructed,” Anderson says.

What is more, homosexuality among some species, including penguins, appears to be far more common in captivity than in the wild. Captivity, scientists say, may bring out gay behaviors in part because of a scarcity of opposite-sex mates. In addition, an enclosed environment boosts an animal’s stress levels, leading to a greater urge to relieve the stress. Some of the same influences may encourage what some researchers call “situational homosexuality” in humans in same-sex settings such as prisons or sports teams.


What's interesting about this is not the fact that homosexuality exists in the animal kingdom, but rather the evolutionary reasons behind it.

[aspergris]

1. the very term "opposite sex" is nonscientific, and I'm surprised it is used

Neither gender is "opposite" to each other/. By using the term "opposite sex" we beg questions/make assumptions about the nature of men and women.

Men and women are (for heterosexuals) the COMPLIMENTARY sex, but they are not OPPOSITE.

It simply makes no sense, apart from a mistaken conception, to refer to men and women as opposite sex.

Whenever there is a discussion of gender/sexuality, I think that term needs to be discarded.

NOT because it is politically incorrect. Because it is factually incorrect.

[seaj11]

14. I think you're absolutely right...

you might be interested in this HBO documentary called "Middlesexes" -- really good

[pansypoo53219]

2. i hear religious nuts on the rite

heads exploding. ESPECIALLY this one nut in tennessee.

[closeupready]

3. Situational homosexuality on sports teams??? WTF?

I've never heard THAT one before. Just the opposite, in fact. It is well-known that male competitive athletes are highly homophobic.

Otherwise though, a good article. Thanks for posting.

[insleeforprez]

5. I know, I read that and did a doubletake

I would like to see a more in depth study on the subject before I believe that. This sample size was 49, so I'm guessing it wasn't fully scientific.

[Zuiderelle]

6. I wonder if they are referring to women's sports teams.

Though either way, I find that comment very odd. The women's sports teams I know of that have a lot of gay women, have gay women who were gay before joining the sport. Unless the team is completely sequestered from the rest of humanity and is not allowed any contact with the other gender, the comment makes zero sense. (And I don't know of any sports team like that.)

[Fearless]

8. Now who's stereotyping.

[closeupready]

9. Oh, give me a break. Almost nowhere is homophobia greater than among male professional athletes.

There are exceptions, but stereotype or not, it's a safe bet.

[Fearless]

11. I couldn't say as to whether homophobia exists in professional athletics or not...

I am not one, never have been one, and never will be one. And I'd bet that neither have you been.

But I do know that lumping people together... professional athletes, amateur athletes, and high school and collegiate athletes into a broad swath of homophobia is foolish and ignorant. I teach high school students and I see no such homophobia among athletic groups in the schools I have worked in. Maybe I've been lucky, maybe it's just the northeast, maybe it's just high school athletics that treat GLBTQ people with the respect that they rightfully deserve. I don't know. But I do know what a stereotype is. To say that homophobia is a "safe bet" is enabling it. It is unfair to those who support us to lump them into such stereotypes and it encourages them to not stand up for GLBTQ equality. I can't and won't accept that.

NTF

[closeupready]

12. You make some good points.

I respect your point of view. I just sort of disagree. I feel that I have lived long enough and seen enough crap on a personal level to be comfortable buying into that particular stereotype. I'm not trying to argue that it's a healthy posture to adopt, but I do feel that way strongly.

[seaj11]

13. and yet...

don't forget the association between homophobia and homosexuality, as shown in that famous UGA study

[LeftHander]

4. Gay penguins at the Zoo!! Think of the children!!!

This needs to be stopped. These deviant penguins are destroying the American family!

Is no place safe and free from the scourge of homosexual agenda? First airport restrooms, now zoos what next! Sunday school?

the zookeepers need to put the boy penguins with the girl penguins....there is always one bad apple that spoils the whole bunch...girl.

lol

[closeupready]

7. Actually, we laugh, but you know what, last year on The View,

Whoopi and that Christian fundie dummkopf (I forget her name, but she's the new co-host) were discussing a children's book that told the TRUE STORY about the same-sex penguin relationship between the two specimens at the Central Park Zoo (or the Bronx Zoo). Bear in mind, the book does not discuss sex, and if I recall correctly, does not even say the penguins are gay, it just related observations - in a dramatic way - about these penguins. Predictably, the fundie was like, "oh, no, I think that's inappropriate for kids." :eyes: When it comes to our kids, lying (whether by omission or outright misinformation) is the appropriate course to take, when you are a Christian fundie, I guess. :mad: I'd bet dollars to donuts she would approve if the penguins were a heterosexual pair.

[sui generis]

10. I would have to say, it's inappropriate for your brats if you're their mother.

but please don't raise everyone else's kids. I mean, look how you turned out.

I would be a very very bad co-host!

Here's the response any time somebody says "it's inappropriate for kids", is ask them why it's inappropriate. Please spell it out using adult terms, or interpretive dance, your choice.

And about biology - screw it. If I'm biologically gay and I choose to have consensual sex with someone of the opposite gender, am I going against nature? It's a boondoggle argument.

My CHOICE to do as I wish is what matters, not my "biology". I have to say that in terms of living with fewer complications, I prefer the hot hunky men so I'm not conflicted.

:P