Homosexuality in animals?

Question

I was looking at questions about this subject and I was thinking about an answer I saw someone give. It was something about how just because there is homosexuality in animals doesn't make it right for humans because animals eat their young and go to the bathroom in public and what not. I don't remember what else they said, I saw it 4 months ago or so. But it was basically that animals do things that would be illegal and wrong for humans to do so just because animals do it still doesn't mean it is right. What do you think about that?

Btw I don't agree with his answer, I'm a lesbian myself, just asking for your thoughts on it.

Answer 1

Okay, listen. This is how it goes.

A: Homosexuality is wrong!
B: Why?
A: Because it's unnatural!
B: *points out that it occurs frequently in nature*
A: But animals do X, Y, and Z that are bad! That doesn't prove that homosexuality is okay!

Here's the problem. B's counter-argument of "it occurs in nature" is NOT an attempt to argue that homosexuality is okay. What it IS is a refutation of the incorrect statement that it's unnatural, which is an argument A used.

A is attempting to move the goalposts (in other words, change the focus of the argument) and suggest that B's argument is an attempt to justify homosexuality, when in fact it is actually B saying "the reason you gave for being against it isn't true, and here's why." In effect, B shot down A's argument, but didn't make an argument of his/her own. Here's an analogy (a very simple one, but it's valid).

(Using an analogous A and B from above) Imagine that A is arguing that cherries are deadly. B asks what A's reasoning is, and A says it's because cherries are brown. B points out that cherries are red, not brown, and then A retorts, exclaiming that B hasn't proven that cherries are okay to eat because there are poisonous plants that are red.

See how little sense that makes? This is the same kind of reasoning A is using above.'

I suggest you don't attempt this argument in the future--you'll only embarass yourself more.

Answer 2

I agree with you. Just because animals do it, doesn't make it right for humans to do. But the opposite is ALSO true; that you cannot say that homosexuality is wrong, because it is something that animals do.

But what you don't seem to mention is the context that this statement was probably made. When I hear that there are homosexual animals, it is almost always in the context of defending the homophobic argument that homosexuality is not 'natural'. People should not be able to argue that homosexuality is not natural, and when we show that it IS natural, then say that just because animals do it doesn't make it right. That is a logical argument for idiotic things like Fox News.

Answer 3

Homosexuality runs through many, if not all, species.
Animals instinctively respond to physical needs:
sleep, hunger, sex.
They do what they want when they need it. Removing the opposite gender from their environment will alter their sexual expression of sex. Homosexuality in the animal world is therefore an aberration.
Since mankind is a higher animal with values, conscience, and free will, we have the opportunity to live above those animal instincts, and express them in appropriate ways.

Answer 4

I think it would be best to avoid the homosexuality in animals argument. For every rationalization that homosexual people can come up with, such as animals, the opposed heterosexuals can come up with a rationalization of their own.

For the most part, they can't understand us. Conversely, I can't understand their attraction either. I makes no sense to me. I think that the best approach would be for everybody to just have faith in their own lives and stop relying on the opinions, beliefs, and feelings of others to dictate their status in life.

Answer 5

Thats a weak argument what animal kills itself or partner after sex? Im currious Animals also dont have a legal system to make their behavior look wrong. We accept animals sexuality for what they are so why not humans.

I know the Black Widow does but this is an insect.

Answer 6

Well to break down the issue, homosexuality in animals doesn't prove that humans should do it, it proves that it is natural

now to answer the question "should they do it" the answer is- why not? They're not hurting anyone

Lots of things that are instinctive are prohibited because they pose a danger to society. Homosexuality isn't one of those things. So why tell someone they shouldn't do it?

Answer 7

You can learn from animals but humans are supposed to be higher thinking creatures.

Animals are completed control by instinct. A male dog will hump another male dog, a chair, a fire hydrant, your leg, a cat, ..etc. That doesnt mean we should start getting it on with our furniture.

Answer 8

I think the point is that some people were saying gayness was wrong using the argument that "it's not natural, you never find it in nature, therefore it's a perversion that perverts made up in their perverted perversion ... version...."

The point is that there is homosexual behavior in the animal world, so the red-faced screaming homophobes have to think of another red herring to use to diss us.

Answer 9

just because animals do other things that are bad doesnt mean that it shouldnt matter that they be homosexual by calling them dumb animals.

i say its perfectly alright becuase its what you want, i say enjoy life, as long as what your doing doesnt hurt you without achieving anything from it or hurt anyone else. its 100% absolutely fine

Answer 10

My question would be: What harm is done? If between consenting adults, without physical or emotional damage, and it brings someone pleasure, who cares?