Mother Nature's Open Mind

     Jeffrey Kluger, in his "The Gay Side of Nature" article presents a side of nature rarely discussed by society at large: that homosexual relations occur in animals and therefore in nature. By utilizing various species as examples, namely giraffes, bonobos, dolphins and macaques, Kruger aptly presents the idea that homosexual relations are 'natural.' He attempts to relate this idea to human homosexual relations with the premise that because homosexuality is a natural phenomenon (found within the animal kingdom) there should be no basis for anti-homosexual sentiments among humans.
     Humans are animals, although this fact is often forgotten by most.  It is comforting to find homosexual tendencies within the animal kingdom because (as Kluger states) in the past, many believed that homosexuality was a uniquely human occurrence. The fact that it is not lends support to a convincing argument for the acceptance of human homosexuality. Because homosexuality occurs within the animal kingdom, and not solely short encounters, but long-term partnerships (as in humans), human society should be more accepting of these relationships. Humans accept that death is 'natural,' sexual relations are 'natural,' and even that feelings of jealousy are 'natural,' so why can we not accept that homosexual relations are 'natural' even though we retain the same proof? Twenty percent of animals studied participate in these types of relations, how can we ignore this?
     The answer lies perhaps in one argument highlighted within the article itself: Martin Daly, an evolutionary psychologist suggest that "Sexuality helps animals maneuver around each other before making real contact," meaning that this form of sexuality (homosexual relations) evolved as a form of communication between animals that cannot speak. Other arguments against human homosexuality may lie along the lines of the displacement of humans from animals; that we are higher beings and therefore are not subjected to certain (or any) activities of animals, that we are 'above' them.
     Discovering evidence of homosexual relations among numerous species of animals is paramount in the future acceptance of human homosexuality. The suggestion that such relations are a part of nature may convince many lay persons to accept these relations as normal. The continued research of this subject within the animal kingdom and its careful presentation to the public may be key in future attempts for the general acceptance of human homosexuality.