Non-Human and Gay

Seed Magazine (a magazine dedicated to science and culture) has an article about homosexuality in the animal kingdom. It focuses on one (transexual) biologist's attempt to change the way biologists look at sexuality. You have to get to the end of the article to see that most evolutionary biologists remain skeptical or think that the role of homosexuality is being exaggerated, but the article does raise some interesting points. The main argument is that sexuality is not only about reproduction--that it builds social relationships and helps individuals to get along.

For too long, she says, biology has neglected evidence that mating isn't only about multiplying. Sometimes, as in the case of all those gay sheep, dolphins and primates, animals have sex just for fun or to cement their social bonds..."

"Same-sex sexuality is just another way of maintaining physical intimacy," Roughgarden says. "It's like grooming, except we have lots of pleasure neurons in our genitals. When animals exhibit homosexual behavior, they are just using their genitals for a socially significant purpose."

That's all fine and good, but I thought this was a bit much:

Being gay or straight seems to be an intrinsic and implacable part of our identity. Roughgarden disagrees. "In our culture, we assume that there is a straight-gay binary, and that you are either one or the other. But if you look at vertebrates, that just isn't the case. You will almost never find animals or primates that are exclusively gay. Other human cultures show the same thing." Since Roughgarden believes that the hetero/homo distinction is a purely cultural creation, and not a fact of biology, she thinks it is only a matter of time before we return to the standard primate model. "I'm convinced that in 50 years, the gay-straight dichotomy will dissolve. I think it just takes too much social energy to preserve. All this campy, flamboyant behavior: It's just such hard work."

Um, maybe in some circles, but otherwise, dream on.

Here's a final quote:

At last count, over 450 different vertebrate species could be beheaded in Saudi Arabia. You name it, there's a vertebrate out there that does it.

Nature sure is diverse. Appeal to it with caution.