All posts by Terence

70 Sexuality and gender, animal sexuality

LIFTING THE LID ON ANIMAL SEX

 In his new book Hung Like an Argentine Duck, Australian paleontologist Dr John Long aims to bring the weird and wonderful world of animal sexuality to the masses.
But there are also some interesting insights on human sexuality to be extrapolated from the book, challenging puritanical notions of what is ‘normal’ and ‘natural’: namely, that homosexuality is some kind of man-made choice, and that humans are the only species to indulge in sex for pleasure.”
Indeed, once you’ve read Long’s passsages about dildo-wielding porcupines, bat blow jobs and necrophiliac snakes, you may be inclined to think we’re one of the tamer species in the animal kingdom.
“There isn’t any facet of human sexual behaviour that doesn’t already exist in the animal kingdom — the whole gamut of human sexual preference exists in animals in one form or another,” Long animatedly explained to the Star Observer.
“I must admit, a lot of it surprised me. We’re still learning new things all the time. I mention in the book that echidnas regularly have gangbangs, with five males to one female — that research was only published last year.”
In animals, [homosexuality] seems to be more about kinship and bonding, and how those animals fit in with a wider group or community, as opposed to a one-on-one pairing.”
In other words, those arguing that homosexuality is an evolutionary dead end are taking too narrow a view, with evidence that homosexual animals provide vital caring and support roles in animal communities, free from the burden of their own offspring.
 

‘via Blog this’

Related Posts:

The Wildlife Rainbow

Flirty fish may solve riddle of gay animals

New Scientist: Fish that change sex – and back again

Penguin (Gay) Parenting: Lessons for Gay Adoption

The Saga of the Toronto Gay Penguins

Tough Survivors: Gender Fluid Eels.

Bisexual squid ‘can’t tell mates apart’ in dark waters – Telegraph

A Lesson in Couple Stability From Homosexual Zebra Finches

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do….. Also For Vultures

The Real Mama Grizzlies: Lesbian Moms?

Our Queer Primate Cousins

Albatross Same- sex Parents

Bisexual Snails

Same-Sex Parents, Furred and Feathered.

Queer Bonobos: Sex As Conflict Resolution

Animals Use Sex Toys, Too

Bighorn Rams: Macho Homos, Wimpish Heteros

Lesbian Lizards

Books:

 

50 Pastoral Ministry

Advent: Prepare Ye A Way For Inclusion

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Advent is a solemn time of anticipation, preparing for the festive celebration of the Nativity. Christmas though, is much more than just the infant Jesus that is the focus of so many family Christmases: it is much more a celebration of the incarnation of Christ, a constant making real His presence in the world. That presence is marked by a pronounced emphasis on love, justice, and inclusion of all – including sexual minorities as well as all manner of marginalized people of His day.

In our world, that same openness and inclusion for all does not exist, not in the secular sphere, and not in the Church. If we are truly to participate in preparing for the incarnation, to contribute to building God’s Kingdom on earth, it is appropriate for this season of advent that we should reflect on the ways in which we personally can participate in preparing for this inclusion in Church.

Equally Blessed, a coalition of Catholic ministries to LGBT Catholics, has released an Advent statement with some suggestions, specifically geared to ending the oppression of queer youth:

Equally Blessed Advent 2010 Statement

 

This Advent season, join the progressive Catholic movement in wearing a rainbow ribbon to church as a public symbol of justice and solidarity with our LGBT youth in this time of increased awareness about youth suicides.

Do you feel called to do more for our youth? Here are some other ways you can make a difference:

  • Pledge to have a conversation about LGBT justice issues with a family member, colleague, neighbor, member of your parish or faith community, or with a public official
  • Volunteer for an LGBT organization, maybe one that works with LGBT or questioning youth.
  • Help create a safe space or anti-bullying policy to support LGBT youth in your local school or faith community.
  • If you know a Knight of Columbus, ask them if they know how their money is being spent on anti-gay campaigns.
  • Help pass the Safe Schools Improvement Act
  • Adopt a bishop this season and make a contribution in his name to an LGBT rights organization and then send a letter to the bishop letting him know of your gift

Check local fabric/ribbon stores or the internet for the rainbow ribbon. The preferred width size is 7/8″. One place that sells rainbow is Artistic Ribbon.  Minimum orders may apply.  There are several places on the web to purchase safety pins (size: #1 in either brass or silver).

We have included a PDF version of the statement for reproducing and distribution.

If you find other sources, etc., email secretary@dignityusa.org.

To stay connected, order ribbons or learn more, visit The Trevor Project or our websites at Call to Action, DignityUSA, Fortunate Families and New Ways Ministry.

Equally Blessed is a coalition of faithful Catholics who support fully equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people both in the church and in civil society. Equally Blessed includes four organizations that have spent a combined 112 years working on behalf of LGBT people and their families: Call To Action, DignityUSA, Fortunate Families and New Ways Ministry.

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Homophobia and bullying

“Catholics For Equality” on Gay Bullycide

Catholics for Equality and Catholics for Marriage Equality
Issue Joint Statement to LGBT Youth

WASHINGTON – Catholics for Equality and Catholics for Marriage Equality, with all people of good will, lament the multiple tragic deaths of gay youths. As Catholics, we confess that our personal indifference and institutional church prejudices have contributed to the morbid despair of these and many other LGBT youth.

Our response moving forward must be both personal and political. We must personally include and affirm LGBT youth in our homes, churches, neighborhoods and schools.

Catholics for Equality and Catholics for Marriage Equality pledge active political support for The Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2010 (SSIA). The SSIA would amend the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (part of the No Child Left Behind Act) to require schools and districtsreceiving federal funds to adopt codes of conduct specifically prohibiting bullying and harassment, including on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

LGBT suicide is not primarily a psychological issue, related to individual failure to cope, adapt, or access adequate services. It is a social issue. It reflects our collective failure as a society and a Church to affirm, nurture, and provide safe place for vulnerable persons to grow in truth and love.

Our message to LGBT Catholic youth is fourfold:

  1. The problems that drive you to despair are not your fault. Regardless of your struggles and thoughts of suicide, you remain the beloved child of God. That love never changes.
  2. Know that we love and cherish you as our own flesh and blood, united in one Body in the Lord. We are family. In family there is no other. You are not alone, and will never be abandoned. You may feel isolated, and wonder if there is hope. Believe that your LGBT and allied Catholic family are here for you. Many in it have been where you are. Let our love for you help you through the challenges you face.
  3. What must change are social attitudes, and our capacity as Church to understand, care and advocate for you. We have failed you. We have allowed anti-gay bishops to issue a steady stream of anti-gay pronouncements; to promote an anti-gay agenda in our parishes through literature, DVDs, petitions and political campaigns. Our silence has led you to believe that we agree with Church hierarchy. We do not. We recognize and respect your intrinsic human dignity.Our confessions: We have not treated you with sensitivity, as the Catechism teaches. We have sinned in our indifferent attitude to LGBT-affirming ministries, which should be made available in every parish, so that you would never for a moment have to think that you were the only one, or that there was no place for you in the Church of Jesus Christ. Please forgive us.
  4. We ask you to consider that “it does get better”. We pledge to you our personal support as Christians who share the baptismal gifts of faith, hope, and unfailing love. We pledge to you our political advocacy to make the promises of The Safe Schools Act of 2010 your reality.No matter what you are going through now, things will get better. God is not a bully. God loves you, and will continue to supply all of the graces you need to live an abundant life in Christ Jesus.

 

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