Breaking news: Taronga Zoo animals join Mardi Gras

iansand says:

02:27pm | 07/10/09

That press release worked.

Next!

Lanai Vasek says:

02:51pm | 07/10/09

Personally, I want to know which species is most camp. My bets are on the Frilled Lizard.

Fabulous darling!

Eric says:

03:05pm | 07/10/09

Marriage rights for gay penguins now!!

Eno says:

03:07pm | 07/10/09

Oh dear - where to start.. Is it people that anthropomorphise Animals to show that such things are natural? is it people that deny that Animals move that way ‘cause it’s Un-natural (after all if the Alpha Male has all the girls)? Is it people that don’t like the Mardi Gras? Is it people that don’t want others to be educated ‘cause we don’t want gay people in a ‘kiddies’ place?

Sometimes I think I’m glad I have a wife and kids and don’t have to deal with all of those issues..

Voxpop says:

04:08pm | 07/10/09

I once saw a Discovery channel doco about homosexuality in the animal world and it was very fascinating.  There are so many species that engage in same sex couplings - from memory include mammals, sea mammals, birds and primates,  I think birds were very common but the bizzare or more accurately, opportunistic, were squid and octopus.

And another thing that will frustrate the god botherer’s is that animals engage in non-procreative sex for pleasure;-)

quote from scientist on wiki -
“No species has been found in which homosexual behaviour has not been shown to exist, with the exception of species that never have sex at all, such as sea urchins and aphis.”

The thing is it’s under-reported by scientists as they are wrongly accused of pushing an agenda.  Moreover it’s been under-reported because the terms of reference are exclusionary.
An example of overlooking homosexual behavior is noted by Bruce Bagemihl describing mating giraffes where nine out of ten pairings occur between males.
“ Every male that sniffed a female was reported as sex, while anal intercourse with orgasm between males was only “revolving around” dominance, competition or greetings.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual_behavior_in_animals

Eric says:

05:22pm | 07/10/09

Voxpop, I think it’s not so much about homosexuality, as “any port in a storm”.

Seriously, though, I believe in light of all the evidence that sexual preferences are hardwired in humans. So it stands to reason that a similar rule might apply to animals.

The vagaries of exactly how and why will be left to future scientists for unraveling.

Deeks says:

05:36pm | 07/10/09

Voxpop - How fortunate we all are that it is highly unlikely you will procreate.  I bet you think when goldfish open their mouths their trying to talk as well.  Its been scientifically proven when all species open their mouths their trying to tell us their not gay….wake up.

isis says:

05:38pm | 07/10/09

Animals do a lot of things I wouldn’t do.

Ian says:

05:41pm | 07/10/09

Mardi Gras has featured a zoo vist for years, zoo tours with drag queen guides, telling interesting facts about the animals and giving cooking tips. Private viewing and animal pettings - I have no idea why this is even news .. as the statement says “A spokeswoman for Taronga Zoo said it had no part in the event and the organisers had hired the function centre privately.” as Mardi Gras and various groups have done for years and years

Mari says:

05:45pm | 07/10/09

How far are this lot going to make a point…. and a buck?

Please, leave the animals alone, they dont have a gay ‘scene’ or gay politics.

leave the animals out of it says:

06:13pm | 07/10/09

exploitation of animals to further human agendas is repulsive

gay penguin says:

06:53pm | 07/10/09

why wouldnt the zoo tell kids about the animals’ homosexual activities? what is so un-kiddie-friendly about homosexuality? perhaps we’d have a few fewer suicides if we’d been able to learn how common gayness was before we became adults.

Cyclone Bill says:

07:12pm | 07/10/09

Heard it all now.  Next there will be a float for gay Chimps !!!  EEeekkk!!!  EEEEeeeekkkk!!! SCreeeech!!!

Parker says:

09:13pm | 07/10/09

What a media beat up and how to twist an announcement to make it sound more wierd than it is

Lets look at the event notice
http://www.moshtix.com.au/event.aspx?id=31081&ref=moshtix
” Help raise funds for Australian Marriage Equality by being a part of Mardi Gras Festival 2010’s most exquisite event, Mardi Gras Dinner at the Zoo.

Taronga Zoo will be your playground for the evening! You will be treated to a private bird show, behind the scenes activities, stellar entertainment and fine cuisine.

Watch the sun set over Sydney Harbour in the Harbourview Ballroom, where a sumptuous three course dinner, drinks, and talks about the animals homosexual activities will entertain you all while doing good.

A unique event to raise funds, not to be missed!”

Hardly the night described by the author of this aticle with her statement “Australian Marriage Equality and New Mardi Gras have co-oped the critters at Taronga Zoo into next year’s Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.” 

Sounds like a great night with some humour and a gorgeous view ... I might just go and support this cause ...

Liam says:

09:54pm | 07/10/09

Deeks – your comment might have been smart and witty if you could only spell.  i.e. Their and They’re

Ben says:

02:19am | 08/10/09

Wow, a wikipedia reference. From someone with a degree in animal science, I can tell you that’s garbage - as is the whole concept. Animals have nothing to do with this. Are we promoting heterosexuality through animals? No. Animals don’t engage in homosexuality for any reproductive benefit - this is anthropomophic propogande to push the opinions of a few people. What a disgrace. And that is NOT an anti-gay sentiment.

Voxpop says:

08:51am | 08/10/09

Eric “Voxpop, I think it’s not so much about homosexuality, as “any port in a storm”.
Um yes that’s why I said “the bizzare or more accurately, opportunistic, were squid and octopus”  these animals don’t see enough of the opposite sex so take it where they can get it.  Though that cannot be explained for the vast majority of homosexual behaviour in animals where they have plenty of opportunity for hetero couplings but still engage with the same sex.  What did you think of the giraffes?

Deeks - I guess because I am supportive of freedom of personal choice and equality you assume that I must be gay.  I am in fact hetero but don’t let that get in the way of insulting me, you are offensive.

Ben I just gave examples from wiki and a Discovery channel documentary I watched (a couple of years ago but extremely fascinating) I know they are not the best examples but I’m sure there are more out there.  You claim to have a degree in animal science so why don’t you link something to support your opinion?  And I’m not sure what you mean by this “Animals don’t engage in homosexuality for any reproductive benefit” - animals engage in homosexuality for pleasure or do you think only humans are allowed to have sex for fun.  Of course there’s no reproduction, that’s physically impossible - and this from someone with a degree in animal science :-p

I am comfortable in my acceptance that this happens in the animal world - I’m entitled to my opinion and others are entitled to theirs but I’d just like to see some with closed minds actually try looking at this objectively instead of just shooting it down.

Paul says:

11:44am | 08/10/09

To all those people going on about Robert Downey Jnr in Tropic Thunder and the movie White Chicks… please grow a brain and do some research on the racist connotations behind “blackface”.

This is not the same as parodying women, gays, or other races. Think about it for a minute.

Sure the guys doing the skit were not intentionally being racist, but if they sat down and used their brains and thought about it for a second, they would realise just how awful and wrong the whole thing is.

The fact that you are having a go at the “American” (Harry Connick Jnr) is just continuing the racist tone.