No abstract

This paper presents a theoretical model for the evolution of same-sex sexual behavior, or homoerotic behavior, in humans. Contrary to the traditional study of the topic, the emphasis is on homoerotic behavior itself, irrespective of sexual orientation. It is an inferential model drawn from cross-species evidence, cross-cultural evidence, and current evolutionary theory. It is posited that humans evolved a disposition for homoerotic behavior because it increased same-sex affiliation among peripheralized hominids and indirectly influenced rates of survival and reproductive success. The implications for the conceptualization of same-sex sexual behavior and future research are indicated.

The emerging field of evolutionary psychology provides fascinating new insights into many salient human behaviors, but homosexual behavior is not among these. The new field perpetuates old stereotypes, and useful evolutionary analysis of homosexual behavior is largely nonexistent. In this article, the treatment of homosexual behavior in the field of evolutionary psychology is reviewed, and the factors contributing to this treatment are identified. Recommendations are made to help foster the development of alternative evolutionary models of homosexual behavior.

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This study examined college students’ perceptions of same-sex harassment as a function of the observer’s gender, the initiator’s physical attractiveness, and observers’ attitudes toward lesbians and gay men. Ninety-six college students read a scenario portraying a professor’s sexual advances toward a student. The Perception of Harassment Questionnaire and the Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men Scale were completed. Male and female students had similar perceptions of harassment. Unattractive professors were perceived to be more harassing, especially by male students. Students with negative attitudes toward homosexuality perceived higher levels of harassment. These results have important implications for charges of same-sex harassment in academia.