Togetherness The prevalence of same-sex sexual behavior (SSB) in nonhuman species has been a recurring topic in these pages, in keeping with the steady stream of research that continues to turn up cases in more and more corners of the animal kingdom. Now a major meta-study has compiled the results of hundreds of these studies—96 on primates alone—to answer the $64 question: just how widespread is SSB in non-human species
in general and primates in particular? The study, published in Nature Ecology & Evolution (Jan. 12, 2026), found that SSB has been observed in some 1,500 animal species to date, including 59 primates for which there was robust evidence of SSB. A total of 491 primate species were rated across fifteen factors that could help explain its prevalence, and their findings are fascinating. Relative to all primate species, those with SSB tend to live in drier environments with higher food scarcity, show greater size dimorphism between males and females, have longer lifespans, and exhibit more complex social structures and hierarchies. This pretty well describes the environment in which homo sapiens evolved, that dry African savannah where lions roamed, where early humans had to band together quite literally, physically, to protect one another and cement their loyalties to the group. In general, primate species facing environmental pressures and scarcities tend to show greater cooperation and sociability—and higher levels of SSB. The higher density of social interaction creates a probability that social contact will be more frequent and varied, including intimate bonds that may involve camaraderie or sex or possibly just a reassuring hug.
The Fire This Time Whenever a preacher or politician seems a trifle too zealous in his hatred of sexual minorities in public, we’ve learned to suspect that he has something to hide in private. For example, in the last BTW we encountered a pol in South Carolina who was just plain nihilistic in his ability to distribute kiddie porn and then go back to sending Easter blessings to his constituents. Then there’s Dr. Ryan McDonough, a cardiologist in Wasilla, Alaska, whose cause célèbre was the banning of gender-affirming care for trans minors, which he pursued with gusto from his position on the Alaska Medical Board. That was until he was arrested for possession of a giant trove of photographs and videos of children being sexually abused. The material turned up in a monthslong investigation included scences with both boys and girls as young as infants. He was charged with ten felony counts and soon resigned from the Medical Board. This is usually the point in the story when the perp tries to deny or explain away his sins, blaming alcohol or mental illness and promising to get help. But not this time. Soon after McDonough’s release from jail on bond ($50k, posted by his wife), firefighters were called to his home and found it engulfed in flames. McDonough’s charred remains were later identified in the wreckage. Silver lining: perhaps this means that trans minors in Alaska will get a reprieve. But it turns out their numbers are very small (under 100), adding to the absurdity of McDonough’s phony crusade.
Good Sports This one is mostly about the photo, presented as an example of a growing trend among college sports teams, as reported by Outsports.com. If once team photos entailed lining up in rows or huddling stiffly for the camera, those days are long over. In this age of TikTok high jinks as the passport to your fifteen minutes of fame, team leaders know they have to do something truly eye-catching to rev up those fans. Group activities may involve feats of agility, as in this photo of the Purdue diving team, while individual team members can be seen showing off their physiques in various states of déshabillé. Critics may complain that the new team photos often have nothing to do with the sport being played, a fault that may be forgiven by many readers of this magazine.
