i’m a lemur: heeeey!

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I was going to post about how I found RZA’s theory (outlined in his Onion AV Club interview) about the lack of a gay gene really lame—how even though I don’t think the point is whether homosexuality is genetically caused or not, his theories are one part Freudian bullshit and one part biblical bullshit—but then I realized that, to be fair, I should read the whole interview.

Which I didn’t feel like doing.

So instead I direct you to this far finer piece from The Onion’s news desk: Report: 65% Of All Wildlife Now Used As Homosexual Subculture Signifier

Comments

Claire said…
Zoo Zurich has (or had a year or so ago) an exhibit on homosexuality in the animal kingdom.

As for a gay gene, I think it's probably not so simple as 1 gene to be flipped on or off. It may be a combination of genetic factors that align to make people gay, bi, hetero, trans.

I get why it's important to some people to deem gayness genetic; it does make a compelling arguing strategy for equal rights that takes religion out of it. However, I think it kind of misses the mark. The whys of a person's sexual orientation/gender identity shouldn't matter.

If only people didn't need so much convincing...
October 22, 2009 at 12:54 PM
CC said…
I agree with Claire that a combination of factors may lead to gayness (although research really seems to point toward a genetic disposition that either is or isn't acted upon).

But let's not pretend Señor RZA is all reasonable about his gay cousin: "I don’t want to say he was born like that, because he didn’t show these traits as a baby, but now he’s growing up and growing into it." Uh, what? You know straight boy babies--all their whoring around with the ladies.

That interview reads like he was kidding, or playing a Wu Tang character. Was anyone named Pootie involved?
October 22, 2009 at 5:54 PM
Cheryl said…
C: I agree. The problem is that anti-discrimination laws seem to be more "sell-able" if sexual orientation is something you can't choose, like race. Although you can choose your religion, and anti-discrimination laws still apply there, so...hmm....

CCY: I also like his theory that his cousin lusts after men because his mom was longing for a man while she was pregnant. Very 19th century-chic. Very "the Elephant Man's mother was frightened by an elephant." Maybe I like '70s clothes so much because my mom wore them while she was pregnant, in the '70s.
October 22, 2009 at 6:34 PM
the last noel said…
The only good thing about the RZA interview is his belief that Bruce Lee was a minor prophet. The rest is...wateva.
October 23, 2009 at 9:09 AM
Cheryl said…
N: Thanks--now I know which other excerpt to read.

TL: You can't beat a good stripey tail (just ask two thirds of Team Gato).
October 23, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Peter Varvel said…
I don't think it will ever catch on, but if you're going to label my queer identity after an animal, I'd like to be referred to as a 'dolphin,' please.
October 24, 2009 at 1:03 PM
Cheryl said…
B: Member of the Wu Tang Clan, who just wrote a book about his philosophy of life. Are you telling me you're not a hip hop fan?!

PV: You are sleek and playful.
October 24, 2009 at 3:37 PM
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