Essential to humanity

Dr. James O’Keefe gave a TEDx talk about homosexuality. For a while I debated whether to write a post about the talk because O’Keefe tends to generalize what gay people are like. So while he says things I like to hear I doubt they bring much weight to the discussion. Then again, science of homosexuality is still young and sometimes we must start with the generalizations.

O’Keefe starts with the story of his son coming out to him. He then ponders a paradox. Homosexuality doesn’t make sense in evolution. Gay people tend to not have many kids. The trait should have died out in a few generations. Yet, a small but persistent part of the population has been gay throughout history. What advantage is there of having a homosexual population?

It may not be about the survival of the fittest individual, but of the fittest family. From the genetic point of view it may be just as good for a gay man to help the family raise two children than to raise one himself.

Gays tend to score higher in intelligence, cooperation, and compassion, and lower in hostility. There is strength in diversity. Gay men tend to be a catalyst to emotionally connect people together.

A “male loving” gene in a female tends to mean lots of kids. That same gene in a male means a higher chance of being gay. This balances a large family with an extra adult who tends to promote togetherness and thus improve chances of survival for the whole family.

His son’s ability for emotional connection has been a big advantage for his family. They are stronger and happier because his son is gay.

We are essential to humanity.