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Oslo gay animal show draws crowds | Oslo gay animal show draws crowds |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Curators say a Norwegian exhibition on homosexuality among animals has been well received, despite initial indications of strong opposition. | Curators say a Norwegian exhibition on homosexuality among animals has been well received, despite initial indications of strong opposition. |
The Oslo Natural History Museum opened the show last week and says it has been well attended, not least by families. | The Oslo Natural History Museum opened the show last week and says it has been well attended, not least by families. |
Organisers reported early criticism of the project, and being told by one opponent they would "burn in hell". | Organisers reported early criticism of the project, and being told by one opponent they would "burn in hell". |
But there has been strong interest in an aspect of animal behaviour the museum says is quite common. | But there has been strong interest in an aspect of animal behaviour the museum says is quite common. |
It says homosexuality has been observed among 1,500 species, and that in 500 of those it is well documented. | It says homosexuality has been observed among 1,500 species, and that in 500 of those it is well documented. |
The exhibition - entitled Against Nature? - includes photographs of one male giraffe mounting another, of apes stimulating others of the same sex, and two aroused male right whales rubbing against each other. | The exhibition - entitled Against Nature? - includes photographs of one male giraffe mounting another, of apes stimulating others of the same sex, and two aroused male right whales rubbing against each other. |
We hope to reject the all too well known argument that homosexual behaviour is a crime against nature Oslo Natural History Museum | We hope to reject the all too well known argument that homosexual behaviour is a crime against nature Oslo Natural History Museum |
"Homosexuality is a common and widespread phenomenon in the animal world," says an exhibition statement. | "Homosexuality is a common and widespread phenomenon in the animal world," says an exhibition statement. |
"Not only short-lived sexual relationships, but even long-lasting partnerships; partnerships that may last a lifetime." | "Not only short-lived sexual relationships, but even long-lasting partnerships; partnerships that may last a lifetime." |
The museum says it is the first exhibition in the world to touch on a subject that has been taboo in the past. | The museum says it is the first exhibition in the world to touch on a subject that has been taboo in the past. |
It says sex between animals - as between humans - is often a matter of enjoyment, rather than procreation, and that this applies to animals of the same sex as well as opposite sexes. | It says sex between animals - as between humans - is often a matter of enjoyment, rather than procreation, and that this applies to animals of the same sex as well as opposite sexes. |
'Bisexual species' | 'Bisexual species' |
While homosexuality would appear to contradict evolutionary imperatives, scientists involved in the exhibition say it appears to do no harm and may actually help in some circumstances. | While homosexuality would appear to contradict evolutionary imperatives, scientists involved in the exhibition say it appears to do no harm and may actually help in some circumstances. |
Sometimes a pair of male birds may rear eggs "donated" by a female. | Sometimes a pair of male birds may rear eggs "donated" by a female. |
In the case of flamingos, for instance, "two males can hold a much larger territory than a regular flamingo pair, thus more chicks can grow up", the exhibition states. | In the case of flamingos, for instance, "two males can hold a much larger territory than a regular flamingo pair, thus more chicks can grow up", the exhibition states. |
Pairs of male flamingos have been known to raise young | Pairs of male flamingos have been known to raise young |
In some colonies, as many as one in 10 pairs of penguins may be same-sex, while "in some animals the whole species is bisexual", the exhibition says, giving bonobo chimpanzees as an example. | In some colonies, as many as one in 10 pairs of penguins may be same-sex, while "in some animals the whole species is bisexual", the exhibition says, giving bonobo chimpanzees as an example. |
There has been some hostility to the exhibition. An American commentator said it was an example of "propaganda invading the scientific world". | There has been some hostility to the exhibition. An American commentator said it was an example of "propaganda invading the scientific world". |
Petter Bockman, a zoologist who helped put the show together, admitted that "there is a political motive". | Petter Bockman, a zoologist who helped put the show together, admitted that "there is a political motive". |
In Norway there was a desire among publicly funded museums to be "deliverers of truth" and to "put on display controversial subjects, things that are not said and are swept under the carpet". | |
The museum says one of its aims is to "help to de-mystify homosexuality among people... we hope to reject the all too well known argument that homosexual behaviour is a crime against nature". | The museum says one of its aims is to "help to de-mystify homosexuality among people... we hope to reject the all too well known argument that homosexual behaviour is a crime against nature". |
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