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 womens studies and sexuality expert told a small group in Gerlinger Lounge on campus Monday.
Jennifer Terry, a program director and associate professor in Womans 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 friends 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 Universitys 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. Terrys 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.
True!!!!
Animals and Humans become equal when they are homosexuals...correct me if im wrong, but that is what i see in this picture... lol... sarc//
Your takes are more clear-thinking than mine. My head hasn't stopped spinning.
I thought "Buster" was a male dog too, but we all know that hetero males like to see hot lesbian sex, so how could this episode trigger her interest in studying homosexual animals? Clearly, the pooch is straight!
And sadly, about the best logic and gramar the sex exeperts can offer.
I have discussed this matter with Buford, my 8-yr old brown tabby.
Buford is far too lazy or pre-occupied with food and looking out windows to take any interest in homosexual activities with other cats.
He told me that he is indifferently straight. I have to trust him. I don't think he's lied to me before.
But then again, he is a cat. As the old saying goes "If cats could talk, they would lie to you".
I've had pet rats before. It's dominance behaviour, for crying out loud!
Good point.
Tom went off the deep end, that's what's up with that. Disgusting!
"SUPER!"
Well, if they want to associate homosexual behavior in humans with animalistic behavior, who am I to argue? That's what I always thought anyway.
Animals, among other 'criminal' activities:
...
Humans are different from animals in countless ways. Humans speak, write, have a sense of personal history and the history of their culture (and often of other cultures as well). They think about and plan for the future, have theories about what makes the world tick (e.g., believe in God, Evolution, or alien visitors), and devise schemes of how the world 'should be' (e.g., have legal systems and cultural ideals 'everyone is equal', only a man and a woman can be married,' etc.).
...
Humans also change the world in innumerable ways (build roads, buildings bridges, tunnels), and manipulate the earth for food and entertainment (e.g., horticulture, husbandry, planetary exploration). Animals, as near as we can determine, do none of these things. Even when they 'use tools' (like sticks or rocks), animals display only rudimentary skill at the enterprise.Source
If we arbitrarily pick which animal behaviors to value, then any such study from which we get insights for human behavior is a complete waste of time.
My grandfather had rooster that had a rubber fetish too.
Although dogs hump legs...there's no reason for people to do it.
This is gonna cause more confusion than a mouse in a burlesque show!
"Sexuality expert says animals can be homosexual"
... and Black widow female spiders eat their mates after sex ... their point is?
My Maltipoo puppy is carrying on a hot love affair with my moose slipper. What does that make him?
The dog was trying to say, "For Pete's sake, will you quit messing around with other women, here use my bone."
Why thank you.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.