Chapters
Animals and humans
The Hidden Cause of Homosexuality · Dr. Alaa Alsalem
5. The Relationship between Homosexuality in Animals and Humans
According to available scientific studies,58 same-sex cohabitation is not confined to only humans but widespread amongst animals in different degrees: the Bonobo and Macaque apes, the dolphin, the black goose, the lion, the eagle, and others. All these species openly engage in these behaviors, whether they are rare occurrences or a normal part of their life together. Up to 8% of domesticated sheep prefer other males, even with females present.
This scientific fact is not surprising. What is surprising is that humans use this tendency in some animals as proof and justification to establish homosexuality as a natural, legitimate sexual choice.
It is truly a mistake to outright compare animal behavior to human behavior since we cannot expect sensible humans to exhibit all types of animal behavior. I do not believe this standpoint would appease atheists or ward off any comparisons they propose to justify homosexuality in humans. Hence, I lay another path to respond to their justification:
1) Studies have hypothesized many reasons that support the inclination of some animals toward homosexuality. For example, they may want to assert control and dominance over other males or get the attention of females, etc.
I am not going to evaluate these studies. I merely want to point out that no matter how they are framed, they do not remove the question regarding the origin and cause that drives the animal to practice this unusual behavior.
Yes, perhaps these driving factors can be regarded as fertile ground and enablers for the appearance of homosexuality among animals. So their role would be like the role of social and environmental factors, which we discussed in the section on homosexuality in humans.
2) Scientists are unable to identify the specific "gene" that causes homosexuality in animals or the gay "gene" in humans. Accordingly, the theory of evolution supposes that natural selection would ensure the death of such a gene (if it existed), and it would not be allowed to pass to later generations, specifically in animals that permanently practiced homosexuality all their life.
Some attempted to answer this problem by assuming that the "gay" animal does not try to pass on its genes, but the animal could benefit from its relatives who may carry the same genes. However, this argument is merely a supposition with no evidence.
People who observe what appears to be homosexuality in animals and conclude it is perfectly legitimate and expected to find such behavior in humans are just like those who try to explain an unknown cause with another unknown cause.