The Objective Observer

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Gay and Lesbian Interest

• Of Meerkats and Men
• Gays - A Final Word
• The Science of Gay
• I Don't Care That You're Gay
• Homosexuals and Housing
• Gay Travel
• Gay Superheroes
• Of Queers and Men

OK, ha ha, superheroes are gay. Now all of you comics buffs get over it. I mean, what do you expect when you have grown men running around in tights and cavorting with young boys? With that issue out of the way let’s get on to a much more serious discussion, are homosexuals mutants and if so, what are the implications in today’s society?

In the Marvel universe, superheroes are typically the result of genetic mutations within the human race that lead to phenomenally fantastic powers such as walking through walls, tossing around fireballs and psychic abilities. In this universe mere mortal humans and mutants are in constant conflict as some mutants strive to be accepted by society and others seek to destroy it.

But what does this have to do with homosexuals? Well, potentially quite a bit. Logic seems to indicate that at least some homosexuals are “born gay”, meaning that it is not simply a lifestyle choice. (See The Science of Gay) There is also mounting scientific evidence to support this position. Recent genetic research has found that males with older brothers are more likely to be gay than males without older brothers. Now, this evidence is by no means conclusive since some may argue that the environmental influence of an older male sibling might be the cause of this phenomenon.

If we accept for the moment that there may indeed be a genetic link, then we must naturally ask ourselves what possible purpose this genetic anomaly might serve. And before you get your shorts in a bunch, it would indeed be classified as a genetic anomaly. Let’s face it, the world simply is not designed to work that way. Without the natural inclination to breed with the opposite sex, a species would quickly cease to exist and pass into extinction. So, if we accept for the moment that there is indeed a naturally occurring, scientific explanation for homosexuality then we must conclude that it is a genetic anomaly, or dare I say, mutation. But what would cause such a mutation within a species? The only rational explanation that I can think of is population control.

Think about it, if indeed this recent scientific evidence is corroborated, then this makes some amount of sense. Homo sapiens in their natural state without the confines of societal norms or religion were probably not monogamous. Monogamy is not all that common in nature. It’s a survival thing. The more offspring that an individual creates, the more likely that individual’s genetic material will survive to the next generation, survival of the most prolific if you will. And the apparent scientific facts seem to support this position. If a female has already produced a male offspring, this might trigger a natural genetic predisposition to subsequently bearing homosexual male offspring. This would help ensure that there is not a disproportionate number of males seeking to impregnate females, thus keeping the population from exploding and consuming all of the available natural resources. This may indeed seem like a fantastic notion, but is it any more fantastic than other evolutionary adaptations found in nature? Absolutely not.

So here we have a plausible theory of why males might be born gay. And if this is indeed the case, can there be any doubt that such a naturally occurring genetic anomaly is the result of mutation? Well, there will probably always be doubt, but what else could we classify such a phenomenon? It would not make sense to classify it as a disease and if science proves that homosexuality is indeed the result of a change at the genetic level, then, by definition, it would be classified as a genetic mutation. Thus, homosexuals would be, well, mutants.

Now, if this is indeed the case, it is in some ways very disappointing. I mean, having gay superpowers is pretty paltry when compared to turning oneself invisible, the ability to teleport, or the ability to control the weather. If homosexuality is the best that genetic mutation can muster…well, what a rip. But more importantly what does this mean to society? It would seem to me that the answer to this question might best be found in studying the Marvel universe and societal issues that have been explored within the pages of comics. I can think of no other medium that has explored the issues of mutation more in-depth than the pages of comic books.

The Marvel universe has those mutants that simply want to live in peace with the rest of humanity and those mutants that seek to destroy the society that oppresses them. Hmm, that sounds eerily familiar to what is going on today with the “war” between homosexuals and heterosexuals. On both sides, there are those that seek to destroy and those that seek to live in peace. The only place that we might be able to turn for guidance through this war may be the pages of comic books. And that has to really annoy all those comic buffs trying to shake the stereotype of the gay superhero. Not only do their heroes run around in tights and cavort with young boys, but now the epic struggle between mutants and humanity might very well serve as an allegory to guide humanity into the future.