There is quite a lot of discussion on the Internet about whether companion animals can be gay and looking wider to all other animals it is an interesting thought as to whether they can be ‘gay’ as is the case in humans. Some recent research which reviewed many other studies on sexual interactions between members of the same-sex in the animal world helps us to answer questions about gay behaviour in animals.
The first issue here is that the word “gay” is a human construct. Rather strangely, the word had nothing to do with sex when it was first used many years ago. It means to be happy and having fun. But now it means to be homosexual. And in the human world homosexuality in general means a couple of humans of the same sex entering into a long-term relationship because there is chemistry between them.
And it is this feature of long-term relationships which is different in the animal world. The researchers concluded that sexual behaviour with the same sex in the animal world is temporary and my thought is that it is more functional in that it helps to keep the peace. The study concluded that the sexual interactions could help reduce “aggression and conflict” between members of the same sex.
Same-sex sexual interactions occur across many animals including insects but most often in primates with 51 species of primate exhibiting same-sex sexual behaviour. It also happens commonly in mammals and cats and dogs mammals as you know. The researchers said that: “Same-sex sexual behaviour seems to be a common behaviour in mammals, recorded in about 5% of the species and 50% of the families, a frequency that appears to be higher than in other animal groups such as birds or insects.”
They added that, “Of the 22 mammalian species that are the subject of continuing long-term studies, same-sex sexual behaviour has been found in more than 80%.”
They believe that same-sex behaviour evolved “multiple times in several disparate lineages”. And as it evolved, it appears to have evolved for the reason of keeping the peace. It is ultimately about survival of the species.
The researchers held the most comprehensive review of studies looking into mammalian species in which same-sex sexual encounters occurred. The study is published in the journal Nature Communications.
The researchers said that, “Same-sex sexual interactions can serve to form and maintain bonds and alliances and to facilitate reconciliation after conflicts.”
As an aside, I would like to add another element in this discussion. When you see your dog humping your leg or another male dog or if you see your male cat humping another male cat or your arm, this is about sexual frustration. This, in my view, has nothing to do with same-sex sexual encounters or being gay in the animal world. It’s about a male cat wanting to procreate with no female around with which to express that natural, instinctive desire. And male cats have this desire to varying degrees even after they’ve been neutered.
RELATED: Monkeys hug and kiss on meeting. Looks like our behavioural origins.
