Saint Sebastian's Gay Icon Status Links to Primate Homosexuality Studies

A column in *Bon Dia* reflects on the feast of Saint Sebastian, noting his depiction as a young, nearly nude figure pierced by arrows, which has made him an unofficial icon in gay culture. The author contrasts this with the previous week's bearded saints, highlighting the artistic appeal of Sebastian's expressive image blending pleasure and pain.

This observation ties into recent scientific findings. A study published last week in *Nature Ecology & Evolution* examines homosexuality among primates as a survival strategy. Researchers found it strengthens social bonds and resolves internal conflicts, with activity increasing under pressures like predator threats or resource shortages. The behaviour, observed across non-primate species too, challenges claims of it being "unnatural," as it has been documented in 1,500 species. The authors caution against direct parallels to humans, emphasizing unique human nuances.

Separately, a *Current Biology* paper from Kyoto researchers shows macaques procrastinate similarly to humans, maintaining comparable motivation systems during delays. Unlike procrastination, which might cost a job or opportunity but rarely leads to prison, homosexual conduct remains punishable by imprisonment or death in parts of the world, the column notes.

The piece weaves these threads—saintly imagery, primate behaviours, and global disparities—into musings on human tendencies, from name autocorrect woes to broader social taboos.