Gay Uncles Keep Homosexuality Alive

A new study by evolutionary biologists might help to explain why male homosexuality persists, despite the fact that the genetic component isn’t being passed down. Apparently, it’s because gay men make such awesome uncles. The study looked at the fa’afafine of Samoa, male homosexuals who are considered to be of their own distinct gender and live in union with their extended family. The study found that gay uncles devote themselves to their siblings’ offspring more than straight aunts and uncles. Also, having a gay uncle meant that the child was more likely to “survive, thrive, prosper, and reproduce,” and the child would be more likely to carry this gene indirectly, “keeping the ‘gay gene’ alive.” I’m not exactly sure what to think of this study, but hey, it’s interesting. [LA Times]