EXPLORING THE VARIETY OF SEXUAL EXPRESSION AMONG ANIMALS CHICAGOLAND FINAL Edition

`The universe is not only queerer than we suppose, it is queerer than we can suppose," observed the outspoken British biologist J.B.S. Haldane 70 years ago. Although Haldane was referring to strangeness rather than homosexuality, biologist Bruce Bagemihl knows a perfect book-opening quote when...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inChicago tribune (1963)
Main Author Peter Gorner. Peter Gorner is a Tribune science writer
Format Newspaper Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Chicago, Ill Tribune Publishing Company, LLC 28.02.1999
Subjects
Animal behavior
Bagemihl, Bruce
Books-titles
Nonfiction
Sexual behavior
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Summary:`The universe is not only queerer than we suppose, it is queerer than we can suppose," observed the outspoken British biologist J.B.S. Haldane 70 years ago. Although Haldane was referring to strangeness rather than homosexuality, biologist Bruce Bagemihl knows a perfect book-opening quote when he sees one. Indeed, Bagemihl's monumental "Biological Exuberance" embraces paradox and celebrates seemingly incompatible phenomena while forging a compelling argument about the very essence of existence. On every continent, animals of the same gender court each other with intricate mating dances passed on by eons of evolution. Males caress and kiss, showing tenderness instead of aggression. Females form long-lasting bonds or may meet for sexual encounters as passionate as they are brief. Animals of the same sex build nests and homes; many pairs raise young without members of the opposite sex in attendance. Others have partners of both sexes, or live in communal groups in which everybody has sex with everybody else.
ISSN:1085-6706