[Azure Dragon]

Yep Yep I'm back... you haven't had one of these for a while so without much more ado...


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

Quote:

Curators say a Norwegian exhibition on homosexuality among animals has been well received, despite initial indications of strong opposition.

It says homosexuality has been observed among 1,500 species, and that in 500 of those it is well documented.

The exhibition - entitled Against Nature? - includes photographs of one male giraffe mounting another, of apes stimulating others of the same sex, and two aroused male right whales rubbing against each other.


We hope to reject the all too well known argument that homosexual behaviour is a crime against nature
Oslo Natural History Museum

"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.

It says sex between animals - as between humans - is often a matter of enjoyment, rather than procreation, and that this applies to animals of the same sex as well as opposite sexes.

I knew homosexuality existed in the natural world... but I wasnt aware it was this wide spread. What are your thoughts on this. Is the exhibition a worthwhile venture? What are your thoughts on the observed species mating habits?

[Gus Mackay]

Yeah, I always suspected this. After all, homosexual dogs are very common. I don't think much of the findings though - homosexuality occurs in nature... we already knew that from our own social studies.

[Apeiron]

No surprise to me. Of course homosexuality among dogs is common, but there it is explained as a power relation. With bonobo's however, homosexual relationships are common. For examples females rubbing each others genitals just for pleasure is a common sight among them.

Apart from homosexuality being 'natural', I would say that I very much oppose the objection 'homosexuality is not natural'. Even if it weren't, isn't our ability to make our own conscious choices what sets us apart from animals

[Michael1]

Originally Posted by Azure Dragon:

Is the exhibition a worthwhile venture?

I'm not sure it's necessary. I suppose if it's self-sufficient or privately underwritten then yeah, I got no problems. Otherwise, it's not a surprise or shocking to know that there's homosexual activity in nature. Heck, there's cross-species sexual activity ... surely even cross-species homosexual activity happening out in nature too. I don't need an exibit with visuals.

I don't particulary enjoy watching animals have sex (Meh ... I'm so freaking conservative ), so the exhibit isn't really a worthwhile venture in my mind. Words in a book would be just fine.

[letskill16]

...

animal porn is called art?

...


Apart from that, I would say that "homosexual" animals aren't homosexual per se. They're just horny and humping what they can find. Just like the homosexual penguins in that zoo somewhere who turned out to be heterosexual when they put a female in their pen. ( I think that story was even posted in here somewhere. I remember there was this gay right organisation screaming murder as they said we were oppressing the gay penguins by putting a female in there... )

[Kazac]

This is only going to convince those who don't know what they are arguing. People who say it is "unnatural" use a very different concept of nature, i.e. an Aristotelian teleological conception of nature, rather than a modern empirical/causational concept.

People who follow a teleological view of the universe, believe everything in nature has a purpose, for Christian’s that is found in God’s will, things that alter or deviate from that intended or true purpose are “unnatural”. Therefore, sex was created by god for procreation, sex that is not conducted for the purpose of procreation, or that cannot be procreative deviates from the ‘natural law’.

Originally Posted by letskill16:

...

Apart from that, I would say that "homosexual" animals aren't homosexual per se. They're just horny and humping what they can find. Just like the homosexual penguins in that zoo somewhere who turned out to be heterosexual when they put a female in their pen. ( I think that story was even posted in here somewhere. I remember there was this gay right organisation screaming murder as they said we were oppressing the gay penguins by putting a female in there... )

It was in Sweden, and it didn't work. It turned out that the male penguins had bonded, as Swedes who read the local media pointed out in that thread.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gay_pen...ding_behaviour

Quote:

I'm not sure it's necessary. I suppose if it's self-sufficient or privately underwritten then yeah, I got no problems. Otherwise, it's not a surprise or shocking to know that there's homosexual activity in nature. Heck, there's cross-species sexual activity ...

Well if it is a state museum, chances are the tax payer would be footing the bill for whatever was going to show there anyway. But I agree, animal sex is a bit ick.

[Mars II]

Might surprize a few to know that this isn't news to students of anthropology. I think the Etoro would be a good thing to look up. Anyway, societies treat homosexuality differently. Seems that religion centered ones have a lot of hostility. Surprized me to see how accepted homosexuality was in other cultures. Even the ancient Greeks.

[Im0Patience]

Originally Posted by Mars II:

Might surprize a few to know that this isn't news to students of anthropology. I think the Etoro would be a good thing to look up. Anyway, societies treat homosexuality differently. Seems that religion centered ones have a lot of hostility. Surprized me to see how accepted homosexuality was in other cultures. Even the ancient Greeks.

Quite right. In Ancient Greece it could be more accepted to be homosexual than heterosexual. Grounded in the belief that true love could only excist between two males. (As women were inferior.. In their opinion)

So yes, it should be quite clear to anyone that the stance on homosexuality is almost dictated (as well as a lot of other things) by culture (influenced by religion, enemies, allies etc.).