Oct 29, 2006Articles: NORWAY: An exhibition on animal homosexuality!
By VZ
The Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, opened the first-ever museum exhibition dedicated to gay animals. Today we know that homosexuality is a common and widespread phenomenon in the animal world. Not only are there short-lived sexual relationships, but even long-lasting partnerships - partnerships that may last a lifetime.
The exhibit puts on display a small selection among the more than 1500 species in which homosexuality has been observed. The fascinating story of the animals' secret life is told by means of models, photos, texts and specimens. The visitor will be confronted with all sorts of creatures ranging from tiny insects to enormous sperm whales.
How can we know that an animal is homosexual? How can homosexual behavior be consistent with what we have learned about evolution and Darwinism?
Sadly, most museums have no tradition of presenting difficult, controversial or "taboo" subject matter. Homosexuality is definitely something that would be regarded by most museum directors as "taboo." We are confident that a greater understanding of how extensive and common homosexuality is among animals will help to demystify homosexuality among humans, or at least we hope it will help to reject the old say that homosexual behavior is "a crime against nature."
The Oslo exhibition has received financial supported from the Norwegian Archive, Library and Museum Authority (www.abm-utvikling.no/).
Note: The exhibition will run till 19 August 2007. An additional collection of facts about homosexuality in the animal world can be read at the Museum's homepage
