NationStates Jolt Archive

While I understand that homosexuality does occur in Nature among many other species besides our own, I'm not so sure that there are cases of an animal being exclusively homosexual, especially monogamously so. I'm not standing by this if someone has some evidence against it, I'm just basing it on my own knowledge.

For the record, I'm not trying to say that Homosexuality is unnatural, but I'm just curious: With all those hormones in our body that make us naturally attracted to the opposite gender (breeding instinct and and all that) why is it that some people simply do not find the other gender attractive? Again, I'm not questioning why you would find your own gender attractive, that's your business. Is it possible that there are hormonal or neurological differences in heterosexual and homosexual people, especially if you go by the belief that it's not a choice or genetic? I mean, personally, I can honestly say, if I ever became attracted to men, I don't think that would mean I would have to give up women as a result. It is rather contradictory in terms of the natural instinct to breed and keep the species going, so could it represent a point of difference between humans and animals, love for the sake of love?

So, what do you guys think?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6066606.stm

"Homosexuality is a common and widespread phenomenon in the animal world," says an exhibition statement.

"Not only short-lived sexual relationships, but even long-lasting partnerships; partnerships that may last a lifetime."

The museum says it is the first exhibition in the world to touch on a subject that has been taboo in the past.

Google eh? (http://www.bidstrup.com/sodomy.htm)

Yes, yes, I've heard of that exhibit. But are the animals studied exclusively homosexual? It doesn't really say.

Yes, yes, I've heard of that exhibit. But are the animals studied exclusively homosexual? It doesn't really say.

I have no idea. But how many animal relationships are strictly monogamous in any place?

Your original question is loaded in so many ways; the very asking of it suggests that you don't 'believe' in homosexuality. The fact remains, however, that no matter how you look at it, it exists. That is, quite simply, the end of the story, whether or not you have gay animals.

Yes, yes, I've heard of that exhibit. But are the animals studied exclusively homosexual? It doesn't really say.

Your assumption that there are only two types of sexuality is flawed from the outset. There are many ways to be sexual that don't involve 'straight' and 'gay.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=456716&in_page_id=1770

Flamingos, although monogamous during breeding periods, usually find a different partner each year, making the enduring love of Carlos and Fernando all the more remarkable.

While I understand that homosexuality does occur in Nature among many other species besides our own, I'm not so sure that there are cases of an animal being exclusively homosexual, especially monogamously so. I'm not standing by this if someone has some evidence against it, I'm just basing it on my own knowledge.

For the record, I'm not trying to say that Homosexuality is unnatural, but I'm just curious: With all those hormones in our body that make us naturally attracted to the opposite gender (breeding instinct and and all that) why is it that some people simply do not find the other gender attractive? Again, I'm not questioning why you would find your own gender attractive, that's your business. Is it possible that there are hormonal or neurological differences in heterosexual and homosexual people, especially if you go by the belief that it's not a choice or genetic? I mean, personally, I can honestly say, if I ever became attracted to men, I don't think that would mean I would have to give up women as a result. It is rather contradictory in terms of the natural instinct to breed and keep the species going, so could it represent a point of difference between humans and animals, love for the sake of love?

So, what do you guys think?

There is a phenomenon called kin selection, in which species develop traits that do not promote the lineage of the individual, but of the species. e.g. If you jump into a lake and save some of your nephews, but die as a result, as many of "your" genes survive as if you saved your own kids because you and your brother both have many of the same ones.

By the same token, a large family where some of the children are gay, means that they are less likely to start their own families, and are more likely to help with the raising of their nieces and nephews. Even to raise them if illness or injury should claim the parents.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2404109.stm

I believe there are other studies indicating that some animals do display a distinct preference towards the same gender.

As to biological causes, researchers tend to tread very carefully in this area because of the myriad of political/ethical issues involved. From the scientific evidence I am aware of, there is evidence of genetic influences, pre-natal hormonal influences and, interestingly, birth order for male homosexuality. Which, if you consider it in evolutionary terms may indicate that such behaviours evolved in part as population control (over-population is as detrimental for a species survival as under-population after all, since it uses up resources).

There has not, as far as I'm aware, been any evidence found that environmental (in particular social environment) has an effect.

I mean, personally, I can honestly say, if I ever became attracted to men, I don't think that would mean I would have to give up women as a result.

Obviously you're attracted to women, why do you have to give up men as a result?

So, what do you guys think?

Next time you have a thought, just let it go.

I really have no idea. I'm naturally heterosexual, so I just assume that homosexuals just are that way. If it was a choice, there'd still be absolutely nothing wrong with it. But I have had gay people tell me that it's just the way they feel, so I have to believe them. No reason they'd all lie to me and everyone else.

The mind is a powerful thing. Maybe being attracted to the same sex is a subconscious decision. That way it really isn't a hormonal issue but it isn't fully a choice. I'd go with that.

Your assumption that there are only two types of sexuality is flawed from the outset. There are many ways to be sexual that don't involve 'straight' and 'gay.'

Indeed. There are bighorn sheep, for instance, for which transgender is a better comparison than homosexual or heterosexual. In such sheep, homosexual interaction is actually more common than heterosexual, as the males and females are separated for most of the year but mounting behavior continues throughout. However, there are biologically male sheep that act in every way as female sheep, including traveling with the female sheep and refusing to be mounted by males except during mating season.

People try very hard to boil sexuality down to male/female and straight/gay, but the actual diversity out there (whether just looking at humans or looking at the animal kingdom as a whole) simply doesn't fit into those neat little boxes.

Technically speaking, the heterosexual/homosexual dichotomy is false; it only developed within the last few decades.

And I'm going to try my best to avoid getting more involved in this because while I'm not going to call the OP a troll, god this topic is tired.

my kitties used to buttsex until I got them neutered. I thought originally it was aggression but then they did it at the vet's and she said it was "sexual in nature".

We were pretty sure only one cat was consenting though, so now they are both nut free.

Yes, yes, I've heard of that exhibit. But are the animals studied exclusively homosexual? It doesn't really say.

The individual animals can be, yes. As a species - obviously no.

It is like having doctors in your society: having a few is a benefit, but if everyone is one there is noone left to sweep the streets and fix the plumbing.

Indeed. There are bighorn sheep, for instance, for which transgender is a better comparison than homosexual or heterosexual. In such sheep, homosexual interaction is actually more common than heterosexual, as the males and females are separated for most of the year but mounting behavior continues throughout. However, there are biologically male sheep that act in every way as female sheep, including traveling with the female sheep and refusing to be mounted by males except during mating season.

People try very hard to boil sexuality down to male/female and straight/gay, but the actual diversity out there (whether just looking at humans or looking at the animal kingdom as a whole) simply doesn't fit into those neat little boxes.

I did not know that. Fascinating!

The individual animals can be, yes. As a species - obviously no.

It is like having doctors in your society: having a few is a benefit, but if everyone is one there is noone left to sweep the streets and fix the plumbing.

And eventually everyone dies from plague contracted from a dirty telephone.

my kitties used to buttsex until I got them neutered. I thought originally it was aggression but then they did it at the vet's and she said it was "sexual in nature".

We were pretty sure only one cat was consenting though, so now they are both nut free.

Stranger is nut free, that doesn't stop him from trying to feetsex me or trying to mate with my wifes teddy bear, or the blankets . . .

So just because he's nut free doesn't mean he'll stop buttsexing the other cat.

Your assumption that there are only two types of sexuality is flawed from the outset. There are many ways to be sexual that don't involve 'straight' and 'gay.'

No, he just asked if there were animals that are only gay, he didn't exclude the possibility of other sexualities he just didn't ask a question that concerned them.

Stranger is nut free, that doesn't stop him from trying to feetsex me or trying to mate with my wifes teddy bear, or the blankets . . .

My poor, poor teddy bear. Molested by an oversexed kitty. And the bear was a Christmas present from redwulf, too. :(

And nut free makes him sound hypoallergenic or something.

And eventually everyone dies from plague contracted from a dirty telephone.

I just watched an episode of Stargate: Atlantis... I think it was called Aurora. And they found a bunch of Ancients in stasis pods - my first thought was, "OMG, the Ancients died from a lack of telephone sanitizers!"

My name is Kathleen, and I am a nerd of the highest order.

I just watched an episode of Stargate: Atlantis... I think it was called Aurora. And they found a bunch of Ancients in stasis pods - my first thought was, "OMG, the Ancients died from a lack of telephone sanitizers!"

My name is Kathleen, and I am a nerd of the highest order.

Threadjack: Old Atlantis episode is old.

there were two male panguins at teh zoo who where gay, it was reallly cute. they even gave them a fake egg becasuse they could have there own (obviously). i think its just a brain thing, and it isnt new it just use to be hidden when it was less acceptable.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=456716&in_page_id=1770

there you have it folks, homosexuals will steal your children! :p

my kitties used to buttsex until I got them neutered. I thought originally it was aggression but then they did it at the vet's and she said it was "sexual in nature".

We were pretty sure only one cat was consenting though, so now they are both nut free.

Hahaha, oh my god!

My twin-sister poodles used to hump each other when they were on heat. :eek:

Hahaha, oh my god!

My twin-sister poodles used to hump each other when they were on heat. :eek:

there's nothing funny about kitty rape. :(

he used to jump on the little one's back and grab his neck scruff in his teeth and pull on it while he humped him.......it was very violent.

Threadjack: Old Atlantis episode is old.

Because it's old, I can't use it as the starting point for an amusing anecdote about my nerdity? /me is cofoozed

there's nothing funny about kitty rape. :(

he used to jump on the little one's back and grab his neck scruff in his teeth and pull on it while he humped him.......it was very violent.

Stranger tried that on Mika once - she gave him the smackdown for it. But yeah, I can see how that would be traumatic, for kitties and humans both.