INTRODUCTION
On Thursday October 12 2006 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 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 where homosexuality have been observed. This 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 from tiny insects to enormous spermwhales.
How can we know that an animal is homosexual? How can homosexual behaviour be consistent with what we have learned about evolution and darwinism?
Sadly, most museums have no traditions for airing difficult, concealed, and possibly controversial questions. Homosexuality is certainly such a question. We feel confident that a greater understanding of how extensive and common this behaviour is among animals, will help to de-mystify homosexuality among people. - At least, we hope to reject the all too well known argument that homosexual behaviour is a crime against nature.
Read more, and see photos HERE.
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Next time I'm in Oslo, I know where I'm going! :-) I think the exhibition will go on tour too, so keep your eyes open.
But we're not going to Oslo in January - we're going to Tromsø! Tonight! We'll be visiting friends, my girlfriend's parents, and we'll be playing with this energetic dog. And Tuesday Tromsø Filmfestival starts. Hurrah!
Outside Tromsø in November 2006. I found the photo here.
3 kommentarer:
I would go to THAT exhibit at the museum for SURE. Fingers crossed that it tours to Canada!!
Gorgeous picture - hope your trip is delightful at that you don't get tricked into seeing the Belgian necrophiliac film at the festival. No matter how I try to avoid it, I'm always stuck in one of those movies . . .
What a great exhibit!
Roro, I'm gonna start worrying about you, here.
HB, travel safe and enjoy.
Roro: I guess the Belgian necrophiliac film is an archetypal example of "the film I really REALLY don't want to see"? I remember a Slovakian movie a couple of years ago that was described as a "warm comedie". And it was for the first half, but in the second half a woman was gang raped, and then it ended with the same woman being accidentaly buried alive. Gah!
GM: thanks! We're with the in-laws now. The wind is howling around the house, whipping up the snow and turning the world white. But inside we have a beautiful fire going, and lots and lots of coffee and chocolate:-)
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