Hyper Quality Theory of Homosexuality

The nature versus nurture debate with regards to homosexuality is not very helpful, yet it is evident that this sexual strategy is in part influenced by genetic factors. Homosexuality tends to run in families. Identical twins, who share all their genes, compared to non-identical twins, are more likely to have the same sexual orientation. But the very idea of inheritance of a state that presumably hinders reproduction is puzzling.

Mutations are blind. Those genes that confer an advantage to the carrier prosper. So why are genes that "lower reproductive success" maintained in the population? Several logical explanations have been put forward that tend to emphasize the altruistic quality of homosexuality. Perhaps they are more likely to invest resources in their relatives, thereby increasing their own genetic value, without having children themselves. Another convincing theory is that the same genes that predispose towards homosexuality are highly effective when carried by heterosexuals. Accordingly siblings of homosexuals are expected to have more children.

However a closer look suggests they have a direct benefit from pursuing a homosexual strategy. Far from living vicariously, they choose to pursue a very feminine strategy of quality, instead of the male strategy of quantity. Women by nature have very few chances to leave children. They have to get it right! Men can opt for a mixed strategy by producing many and investing heavily in few that are worth it. By having a small number of children, homosexuals are pursuing a strategy of HYPER QUALITY. In fact the claim that homosexuality lowers reproductive success amounts to accusing women of being total losers. Another benefit is that by associating themselves with high-ranking men they are more likely to meet women.

Vaslav Nijinsky may have had a lengthy affair with the choreographer Sergei Diaghilev, but he also married a countess with whom he had children. Later Rudolph Nureyev was said to have slept with only two women, the finest ballet dancers of his time. Another example, the father of Judy Garland, also an actor, was a voracious and infamous homosexual, who chose to have children with only the finest artistic pedigree. Closer to us, John Maynard Keynes dated mostly men, but finally married a renowned ballet dancer.

These men paint of picture of success in their respective fields and extreme reservation in their choice of women. Unlike D. Juan, they invest enormously in few. Their shot at eternity is contained and focused. Of course the underlying assumption is that sex always amounts to reproduction, given that we are not hard wired for contraception. The only effective contraceptive is abstention, which is used by homosexuals for most of their lives. Ultimately they have more in common with religious fundamentalists than libertines. Like saving, the HYPER QUALITY strategy is highly sophisticated and may be exclusively human.

Por Sarah Couto, recebido por email.