[alarmist]

Is it homophobic to split up gay penguins?

When two African penguins showed no interest in mating with females at Toronto zoo, and only with each other, they were separated. Was that right?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/20...nd-of-comments

 

[Forster]

They should have sent them to penguin "re-orientation" therapy.

 

[Digger]

Those penguins aren't gay.

 

[paperhanger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digger

Those penguins aren't gay.

Just sharp dressers.

 

[disney.jessica]

Is this a joke? There was and episode just like this on parks and recreation! She married two male penguins and they wanted her to leave her government position.

 

[Phoenix Days]

Let the penguins love!

 

[Dave in MPLS]

Quote:

Is this a joke?

First I've heard of male penguins forming same-sex pair bonds, but it's a fairly well-known phenomenon amongst female gulls. Well within the realm of possibility that a different aquatic bird would do something similar (but a different gender).

 

[disney.jessica]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave in MPLS

First I've heard of male penguins forming same-sex pair bonds, but it's a fairly well-known phenomenon amongst female gulls. Well within the realm of possibility that a different aquatic bird would do something similar (but a different gender).

I meant, is it a joke that a zoo separated them, because it reminds me to the ridiculous controversy from the comedy show Parks and Recreations where everyone got mad that the government employee supported gay marriage by marrying two male penguins.

 

[Deuce1968]

Wasn't the ultra-conservative stance on the issue of homosexuality that it is a choice? Their reasoning is that it does not occur in nature, so it is unnatural, so therefore a choice.
If they are separating homosexual penguins than it must mean that it occurs in nature and therefore is not a choice. Unless of course they are attributing the ability to reason to penguins then it would mean they are capable of higher reasoning and that they make choices based on that reasoning...
Oh wait that would mean they would have to start thinking that animals are not just dumb creatures that are ours to do with what we please.
I see no logical conclusion that the ultras can put forth that does not punch huge holes in one or more of their deeply held beliefs...

Oh my! what a dilemma!

 

[Rachel Bonneau]

Quote:

Originally Posted by disney.jessica

I meant, is it a joke that a zoo separated them, because it reminds me to the ridiculous controversy from the comedy show Parks and Recreations where everyone got mad that the government employee supported gay marriage by marrying two male penguins.

apparently, it's an endangered species of penguin, so they separated them so both of them could be introduced to females and hopefully have babies. at least, that's what I've gathered from the various quick articles I've read on it.

I guess you have to break the social bond they have with each other or they'll just ignore any females they bring into the mix?