Evolutionary Psychology & Homosexual Behavior

Evolutionary psychology is a theoretical lens informing all branches of psychology and has helped to unite the many subfields of study (Buss, 2009). A core idea in evolutionary psychology pertains to reproductive success, which holds the theory that reproduction is the driving force of human sexual attraction (Geher, 2014). Consequently, this theory supports that human survival is merely a detail directly related to reproduction and argues that the purpose of life is merely to pass on our genes (Geher, 2014). According to evolutionary psychologists, mate selection follows the Darwinian principle best known as “survival of the fittest” (Fugere, Leszczynski, Cousins, 2015). This theory implies that good genetic material is the most useful and important factor in both mate selection and sexual selection (Fugere, 2015). Mate selection incorporates two processes: intrasexual selection, which is the competition between members of the same sex for partners, and intersexual selection, which is the exertion of preferential choice for certain qualities in mates of the opposite sex (Fugere et al., 2015). So, with all of this being said, where exactly does homosexuality fit in? Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection implies that genes must get themselves passed on to the next generation, or they will die out (Hogenboom, 2015).

According to evolutionary theorists, any genes that are associated with homosexuality that would make a species more likely to engage in same-sex pair bonding should and would be less likely to get passed on; especially when compared to genes pushing for heterosexual pairings (Hogenboom, 2015). Given this, we might theorize that homosexuality ought to quickly die out, but evidently that’s not the case (Hogenboom, 2015). Homosexual behavior is present in over 500 species including humans (Hogenboom, 2015), and has made its way into current modern day life. The theory of evolutionary psychology surrounding how we as humans attract and choose partners is even apparent in how we display relationships throughout our media outlets. The fictional drama television show, the L Word, portrays the many lives of lesbian and bisexual women, their friends, connections, family, and lovers. The relationships in the show relate to the many concepts influenced by evolutionary psychology such as, mate selection, intimate partner violence, love, and attraction and in some ways, it challenges and demands these concepts to be more inclusive.

Homosexuality applies to all sexual behavior, such as copulation, genital stimulation, mating games, and sexual display behavior between species of the same sex (Bagemihl, 1999). Homosexual behavior takes on many forms and functions including courtship, affection, pair bonding, reconciliation, and parenting (Bagemihl, 1999). Animals have been observed engaging in same-sex matings for decades (Hogenboom, 2015); however, homosexuality seems still to be a mystery to evolutionary psychologists. In some species, males use homosexual behaviour as a roundabout way to fertilize as many females as possible. For instance, fruit flies in their first 30 minutes of life, will try to copulate with any other fly, male or female (Hogenboom, 2015). In other species, same-sex coupling is a response to a shortage of males in their colonies (Hogenboom, 2015). Humans closest relatives, the apes, specifically bonobos and macaques, engage in pleasurable homosexual behavior among both males and females (Hogenboom, 2015). Bonobos, dolphins, and humans use homosexual behavior as a form of bonding and as a reconciliation act (Hogenboom, 2015), which shows that sex can be about more than just reproduction. Most animals displaying homosexual behavior can be best described as bisexual because they will engage in sex with both males and females, however they don’t participate in exclusive same sex mating (Hogenboom, 2015).

Domestic sheep as well as humans are the only two species that have been observed showing a same-sex preference for life, even when partners of the opposite sex are available (Hogenboom, 2015). Although, arguably humans are the only species to have displayed “true” homosexuality (Hogenboom, 2015). We may not find a wild animal that is strictly homosexual in the same way some humans are; however, similar to humans, we can expect to find many more animals that aren’t conforming to traditional categories of orientation (Hogenboom, 2015). Animals and humans alike utilize sex to fulfill their needs, from pleasure to social advancement, and reproductive success (Hogenboom, 2015). Homosexual behaviour doesn't necessarily challenge Darwin's ideas, instead it suggests that there may be many ways it which it can evolve and be beneficial (Hogenboom, 2015).

In January 2004, Showtime debuted The L Word as a TV drama series that differentiates itself from the mainstream media by focusing on the intimate and romantic relationships in the lives of a tight-knit group of lesbian and bisexual-oriented women living in Los Angeles including Bette Porter and Tina Kennard (Showtime). With the questions posed by the simple existence of the characters, the show attempts to challenge and reshape the heterosexual norms that are assumed upon each individual at birth. It explores the different romantic, sexual, intimate, and platonic relationships through the lens of queer and transgender individuals. Bette Porter and Tina Kennard are two of the six main characters in the L Word. They are viewed as the power couple amongst their peers and from an outsider's perspective their relationship seems to be strong enough to last forever. They’ve been together for 7 years, have built a life together, and through the course of the first season they are focused on having a child and starting a family. The scope of their relationship throughout the first season will be the primary focus of my paper.

Men and women demonstrate statistically significant variation in their preferred traits in sexual partners (Fugere et al., 2015). Men tend to evaluate members of the opposite sex on physical attractiveness, while women are recorded as putting prefferation on a mate with resources, especially when considering reproduction (Fugere et al., 2015). The opening scene from the first pilot episode of the first season of the L Word shows Tina shouting to Bette for her to come to the bathroom to see a test that indicates she’s ovulating. They both look at one another and while acknowledging that she’s ovulating, express that they want to make a baby. Due to pregnancy and parental investment, women naturally have a far higher level of involvement in childrearing and seek a partner with means capable of meeting the nutritional need of both the mother and child (Fugere et al., 2015). Bette and Tina both decided that it would be best for Tina to leave her job to plan and prepare for a pregnancy. This put Bette in the position to financially support the couple through the first two seasons. Bette is an affluent, Yale-educated lesbian in a position of leadership at an established Art Museum. She later builds ties with UCLA and holds a position in power with them as well. She is educated, good looking, independent, resourceful, strong-willed, and wealthy, so arguably regardless of sex, she’s exactly the type of partner you’d want to plan having a baby with.

The importance of finding a sperm donor with good genetic quality is evident throughout Bette and Tina’s journey to conception. They have chosen to have a baby through means of artificial insemination by using the semen of a close friend. Unfortunately, early on in the first episode they realize that his sperm is not fertile, which sends them on a pursuit for the next best and most accessible sperm donor. Bette, being a multiracial artist has put the most emphasis on finding a man with artistic and creative ability and would like to use the sperm of an African American donor. A marker of good phenotype is thought to be symmetrical body and facial features (Fugere et al., 2015) and overall, as the couple says in the episode, they are looking for someone with “good genetic quality who is healthy, strong, and intelligent” (The L Word). They also are concerned with the past and present medical and mental health of all possible donors and their families. Bette is friends with an African American artist named Marcus, whom she would love to use as their donor. He is tall, muscular, symmetrical, creative, and well-to-do. He also has children of his own, so Bette assumes that he is likely to have a high sperm count. Ultimately, they end up using his sperm to conceive. In the first pilot episode of the first season, Bette and Tina visit with a couple’s counselor who is addressing their sexual relationship, or lack thereof. The couple has been struggling to be sexually intimate together for a while. Married couples report having less sex than their cohabitating counterparts and sexual orientation may be associated with frequency of sexual behavior (Fugere et al., 2015). Lesbians are reported as having the most conservative attitudes towards casual sex and the least overall amount of sex (Fugere et al., 2015).This is relevant to Tina and Bette’s relationship.

The couples therapist discusses the difference between passionate love and companionate love and suggests that they’ve formed a symbiosis, which may be the restraint in their relationship. He claims that a symbiosis can quickly develop between lesbians when they are making a serious commitment together and when that merging occurs an intense mutual dependency can be a deterrent to sexual intimacy. They refer to this as, “the lesbian urge to merge,” which is the idea that lesbian women have an easy time forming intense emotional connections and are much more willing to quickly enter into a committed monogamous relationship. This phenomenon could be related to women’s desire for emotional accessibility or might be an example of how lesbians face higher risk for love addiction. Falling in love is a powerful and exciting feeling that physically changes the chemistry of our brains (Fisher, 2004). When we start to fall in love, our dopamine and norepinephrine levels go up (Fisher, 2004). These are the same hormones that are associated with our reward system, which are also stimulated when we use drugs (Fisher, 2004). High levels of dopamine and PEA can result in obsessive thoughts and feelings, which can lead to addiction (Fisher, 2004). It’s possible that this is one explanation of lesbians urge to merge.

Men are more likely to self-report a preference for short-term relationships, whereas women typically seek longer term commitments (Fugere et al., 2015). Biologically our brains are wired to make connections and form relationships and women typically omit more oxytocin than men (Costine, 2015). Oxytocin regulates and contributes to the essential biological functions of sexual selection, maternal behavior, social interaction, and sexual reproduction. It’s our biological way of forming bonds and attachments. In lesbian relationships, there would be twice as much oxytocin and more similarity in what they expect and want from a relationship. These factors could contribute to their heightened ability to quickly develop intense connections (Costine, 2015).

Attractiveness is a strong consideration for both men and women when making mate selection decisions; symmetrical features in a person implies other unseen positive attributes (Fugere, 2015). First impressions, formed instantaneously from the subconscious evaluation of physical and vocal attributes play a role in attraction and are surprisingly reliable (Fugere, 2015). In episode 12 of season one, Bette is introduced to Candace; a carpenter who was hired to work on a project with the art center where Bette works. The attraction between them is immediately noticeable. Candace is shown to be an attractive, intelligent, assertive, strong-willed woman who is very knowledgeable at her job. When Bette and Candace are in each other’s presence, it’s obvious that there is some kind of sexual attraction between them. An important source of mate selection information is nonverbal communication and women in particular are sensitive to non-verbal messages (Renninger, Wade, Grammer, 2004). Bette and Candace engage in non verbal flirting techniques such as, eye gazing, touch, smiling, close proximity, After leaving work for the day, Candace returns only moments later to tell Bette that she won’t be able to sleep that night if she didn’t express to her that all she wanted to do was kiss her all day. They gazed into each others eyes and kissed.

Dutton and Aron (1974) tested the idea of whether physiological arousal can intensify the attraction of an individual (Fugere et al., 2015). They concluded that physiological arousal can intensify attraction, which they coined as the “spillover effect” (Fugere, 2015). This is the idea that physiological events around people “spills” over into their arousal, making them more attracted to those around them. In season one episode 12, there is an anti-LGBTQ protest outside of the art center, which leads to the arrest of both Bette and Candace. This builds the attraction between them and puts Bette in very close proximity to Candace when they share a cell together. In my opinion, this is a perfect example of the spillover effect. Over the next two seasons, the sexual tension continues to build between them and eventually leads to Bette having an affair.

An individual’s own qualities influence mate choice for both sexes. Assortative mating refers to the tendency for people to choose partners based on shared similarities, such as height and intelligence or attitudes and personality characteristics (Fugere et al., 2015). In some ways, this can apply to Bette and Tina’s relationship because they have a lot of shared interests and values. Bette and Tina are both college educated and emotionally and socially intelligent. They value art, architecture, good food, and their friends. They both feel very fulfilled in their work and love what they do. Bette was the first woman that Tina had a sexual or romantic relationship with. They met at an art opening at Bette’s art gallery. Tina recalls Bette as being smart, tough, unbelievably beautiful, warm and gracious. They were immediately attracted to one another. Tina later realizes that she left her earrings at the gallery and when she returns for them, they locked eyes and became inseparable.