Science of homosexuality

GrapeJ713

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I was wondering if there was any scientific reason for there to be homosexual animals. I have read that many other species besides humans participate in homosexual behavior. If there is a 'gay gene' what would it's purpose be? Is it just something that stands out from the norm for no apperant reason such as left-handedness. Or is it a 'flaw' for lack of a better term, like albinoism or dwarfism. Or is there some genetic reason for part of any animal group to practice homosexual behavior?
 
In rats -- from a study done long ago and no I don't have a citation -- homosex activity became more frequent as population (with resultant overcrowding) increased.

Are mammals hardwired to respond that way? Who knows?
 
I'd lean towards there being something in the genes, but I am not 100% sure.

I have heard of numerous instances of it also existing in nature, even in pair bonding BIRDS!
 
Do a search for past posts on the topic. The whole 'homosexuality and science' discussion has been done quite a few times, one only a few weeks ago.

Athon
 
Well, I know in some primates sexual acts are used socaillly to denote dominance. So sexual behaviors can have non-procreative uses.
 
I know there are a couple kinds of primates that have been known to do it. I think it has been traced to abberent behavior, or in a gene gone hay-wire in most cases it was witnessed.

Wasn't it observed in forgs for a while too?

As far as it making scientific sense? I can't see how it can. Intercourse is done for the sole purpose of reproduction, and only a few species have been found with a lymbic (sp?) system complex enough to even feel pleasure from the act itself. Sense homosexual intercourse does nothing in a natural scientific sense besides expend a lot of energy, I don't see where it makes sense.

Course, i could be wrong.
 
My personal belief is that mammals are programmed to be sexual, if there is not a member of the opposite sex then the same will do.

A more deep subject is, what leads to attraction between people?

Peace
dancing David
 
How do we define homosexual behaviour in non-human organisms? As stated previously, overt sexual behaviour in same sex animals (such as mounting) may be related to expressions of dominance rather than homosexuality in the way humans experience it. Relating animal sexual behaviours to human homosexuality appears to suggest homosexuality is only defined by the act of sex itself. It's surely much more than that?

If we observe a rat mounting an inanimate object, how do we interpret that?

Have researchers observed non-sexual indications of same-sex partner choice in non-human organisms? Someone suggested birds earlier, but as some birds form partner-bonds with human carers, can we rely on these observations as evidence of homosexual behaviour?
 
can we rely on these observations as evidence of homosexual behaviour?
Click to expand...

You seem to be wanting to strike up some sort of vague dichotomy. It leads into the question: What exactly is sexuality?

I am convinced we'll never find an answer that transcends species in any real way, and as well it shouldn't. Even if humans were the only creatures to have homosexual relationships, it would STILL lend credence to the fact that these relationships are normal in human context. Our sexuality is so much more intricate than that of other species, it's difficult to make real comparisons.

Also, I tried to post this during the time when the board refused to let us post replies, so here it is, as much as I can remember as to what I wished to say:

Sex isn't always something done for the single purpose of procreation. Bonobo monkeys use sex to get things. For example, if a female sees a male with a piece of food she wants, she will go up to him, put herself under him, and while copulating she will take the food.

Also, the pleasure and bonding aspect of our own sexuality can't be ignored. Our females are fertile, what, 5 days or so a month. Yet, our sex drives are pretty much a constant, daily thing until we reach 40-50ish (sometimes in women) or until we die (most men, some women).
 
Fade - you have expressed the question I'm getting at. My feeling is that attempting to justify human sexuality by comparison with non-human animal behaviour is flawed and insulting. Human partnerships do not necessarily focus on sex or procreation. Social behaviours in animal groups, be they apes, wolves, dolphins or parrots, are not good references for human behaviours and we should be wary of imposing human values on them.
 
Dancing David said:
My personal belief is that mammals are programmed to be sexual, if there is not a member of the opposite sex then the same will do.
Click to expand...
This applies only to primarily heterosexual mammals. For primarily homosexual mammals, you could just as well say that if there is not a member of the same sex then a member of the opposite sex will do. ;)
 
spoonhandler said:

Have researchers observed non-sexual indications of same-sex partner choice in non-human organisms? Someone suggested birds earlier, but as some birds form partner-bonds with human carers, can we rely on these observations as evidence of homosexual behaviour?
Click to expand...

Would a male chimpanzee preforming fellation or a female chimpanzee preforming cunnilingus do?

Peace
dancing David
 
Dancing David - these would be examples of sexual behaviour but I'm not sure what they indicate about homo-/heterosexuality in chimps. How do we compare the social hierarchy of chimps with humans? I think Fade's post above puts it best.

What was the context of the situation in which the male chimp was seen to fellate another male chimp? Was that male ever observed to also engage in sexual play with a female?
 
Actually I am becoming quite annoyed with the procreation habits of certain critters right now... my rose buds are being covered with aphids.

They have the annoying habit of being born pregnant... which makes them able to multiply faster and faster.

Fortunately the parasitic wasps are doing their bit... it is so satisfying to see the empty hulls of aphids that were used wasp larvae food.

It also annoys me (as a gardener) that slugs are hermaphrodites.
 
I think that they were just discussing homoesexual behavior, sorry I don't know if they self identify as gay/lesbian/transgender.

There is a real problem in people self identifying thier sexual preference, certain cultural factors like bigotry make for lower self identification.

It is amazing how many gay men I have met who didn't know they were gay and got married and then found out about it later in life.

My personal belief is that there are 10% pure hetero, 10% pure hom and everybody else is bisexual. ( I just made those numbers up)

Peace
 
There is no science to homosexuality. Science is not applicable to anything Like this.

Homosexulaity is being attracted to the wrong sex, nothing science there.

You need to know when your little thought experiments are used up.
 
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