Posted on 04/18/2006 7:52:52 PM PDT by DBeers
The reasons and causes for homosexuality should no longer be viewed only in terms of the long-debated nature-versus-nurture argument, a women’s studies and sexuality expert told a small group in Gerlinger Lounge on campus Monday.
Jennifer Terry, a program director and associate professor in Woman’s Studies at the University of California-Irvine, spoke to the 19-person audience on a new concept she refers to as “nature culture.”
“Nature and nurture are not separate, but intertwined together,” she said.
The presentation, entitled “Burying the Bone: Primal Scenes Among Queer Companion Species,” looked at the debate through discussing homosexuality in animals and how it relates to humans. Terry gave examples of homosexual octopi, “The two males used their ninth arm, or what we humans call a third leg,” she said. Also, Terry used examples of homosexuality in sheep, rats and monkeys.
Originally, research on homosexuality in animals focused on pumping female rats with testosterone and monitoring their brain responses. However, when scientists turned the focus onto monkeys, a shift in philosophy occurred.
“Greater attention turned to social activities, which were viewed more important than biological research,” Terry said.
Terry fears that religious groups and conservative politicians could use the focus on animals and homosexuality in scientific research against the gay community. Looking at it as an animal act dehumanizes gays, she said.
“The animals are pawns used for political argument,” Terry said after the presentation.
She feels that the reasons for homosexuality in animals — and humans for that matter — will never truly be solved through scientific and psychological research. A combination of “biology and culture are too complex a topic to be sufficiently answered,” she said.
Her speech became personal when she told of a sexual encounter involving her current companion that occurred in 2001. While living in Berkeley with a friend, the friend’s dog, a Chow Bella named Buster, sat on the bed while she was in the thralls of a sexual experience. Terry quickly removed the dog from the bed.
The next day, Terry found a bone underneath her pillow, a sign of affection from the dog. That brought to the forefront of her mind the idea that companion animals, such as dogs and horses, can be gay.
Terry became passionate about the study of homosexuality and the concept of nature versus nurture in the late 1990s with the publications of research showing that the brain caused homosexuality.
“I became concerned about what the significant and larger political gay rights issue involved,” Terry said.
The University’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Support Services director, Chicora Martin, was happy to have Terry speak on the topic.
“It was very thought provoking,” Martin said. “It is a contemporary twist on a discussion we have had for decades.”
The Standing Committee for LGBT Concerns sponsored the speech. Terry’s presentation is part of the 2006 InterSEXions program, which aims to bring the campus together on social issues. It is the 11th time the committee has hosted the event.
Define obsession...
I see sexuality experts down on Ponce DeLeon Ave. all the time, never seen them studying animals though.
If this isn't the most ungrammatical and convoluted sentence I have ever read, I don't know what is.
Is the dog her "current companion" or is she speaking of a person?
The dog lived in Berkely with a friend?
Is the Chow dog a female named Bella or a male named Buster, or a male named Bella or a female named Buster (if the dog wanted to have sex with her, I'd think it was a female, right?)
Is there a breed called "Chow Bella"?
Was the speaker or the dog in the thralls of a sexual experience?
If the sex was of the speaker with a man, perhaps the dog of the opposite sex was showing affection to the member of the opposite sex, not the same sex. If the speaker was having the experience with her girlfriend, the dog wouldn't have been a male but a female for her to get interested in homosexual animals....
I know I'm thinking about this way too hard, but I am hopelessly confused.
Animals also engage in incest. When will the Left be honest enough about their beliefs to publicly endorse that perversion as well?
Well, its not my field so I don't even know which key science groups to look at on this one - animal behaviorists, biologists...I'm not sure. And then I have no idea the state of research.
But I am certain that it won't be Women's studies.
"The next day, Terry found a bone underneath her pillow, a sign of affection from the dog..."
I used to have a cat that brought me signs of affection...the half-eaten cadavers of birds, squirrels and young rabbits, mostly. Curiosity and nausea are an interesting combination; why does that mix seem so apppropriate in describing this story?
Obsession as defined by the pro-homo cheerleaders rougly defines to "speaking the truth against perversion."
If they are running their standard playbook, next they'll suggest that anyone who stands against their perversion must be homosexual themselves.
Turd burglars are nothing if not predictable!
Animals can also engage in rape, interspecies sex, incest, and cannibalism. Doesn't make it acceptable human behavior.
Unless one can talk to the animals, one can't be sure of the reason they're doing the strange things they do nor is what the animals do necessarily of net benefit to human beings.
"...If the speaker was having the experience with her girlfriend, the dog wouldn't have been a male but a female for her to get interested in homosexual animals...."
well, since the pooch was named Buster, it was likely male......so that passage goes to the idea that male canines have a voyeuristic affinity for lesbians in the act....... heterosexual males usually will observe intently if presented with the same opportunity......so the butch's queens pooch is a straight male, I take it?
Got to agree with you ???
Well put!
Animals "tag" territory they claim as their own. Signs and fences don't matter to them.
By animal kingdom rules, gangs of taggers should be permitted to do as nature compels them.
"What is with the homosexuality obsession here? I'm starting to get the creeps :/"
Starting? What took ya so long?? LOL
"Hollywood" lesbians and Johnny Cash looking butch lesbiasn are two different things.
The reality doesn't match the illusion.
And just so you know, those porn stars aren't attracted to the overweight old guys they have sex with either. It's a job.
i think an actual unbiased psychological exam of this author would find him/her/it to be truly sick emotionally. yet, somehow, they have no idea and neither do their readers of just how silly this whole thing is. let's face it, homos are not right psychologically. they are literally screw-ups of the system. that's all you can say about it.
LOL
Beagle, I had the same thought.
( and I'm still laughing at this nut case" female")
""Some animals eat their children, does that make cannibalism genetic as well?""
Now that was an awesome comeback!! So true, and yet....Still I spit all over my monitor ROFL
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