How does Homosexuality fit into Evolution?

For starters if a behavior comes down to specific genes then evolution would work with it, there's no evidence to suggest that homosexuality is an inherited behavior so it's not likely that genetics is that obvious of a cause.

Now think about this, If sexual attraction is controlled by genes, then because of how humans reproduce (50% DNA from mother and 50% from father) every individual must have the genes necessary to be attracted to males as well as females, otherwise there's a good chance of a child ending up with no sexual attraction at all, it could be the case that homosexuality is simply an error in which genes are used for attraction... in which case in order to even have sexual attraction in the first place you must have the trade off of a small percentage of the population being attracted to the wrong gender. In evolution so long as the benefits outweigh the risks natural selection will keep a gene in the population.

It depends on what species, and what circumstance you're talking about. For instance, homosexuality can be a mating strategy for some species. In the most common form, it's basically a way of tricking (usually males) into expending their sperm/energy into unsuccessful mating. Thus increasing the chances of the 'homosexually behaving' males genes from passing on. There's other examples, but that's at least a basic strategy.

In other instances, such as social animals (chimps, gorillas, etc). Homosexuality can be a result of social constructs. Again, in a broad sense, it's a way of developing hierarchies, increasing social bonds, and decreasing social tensions.

There's also theories that suggest that homosexuality can increase the success of family genes, even if it's at the loss of that particular individual's genes. So, it may be in resource management, offspring monitoring, and many other behavioral and biological aspects.

The point is, there are actually plenty of reasons for homosexuality to have a small, but viable Evolutionary benefit.

Evolution does not just benefit the organism by itself. Evolution by means of passing on genes deals with the species as a whole, not just an individual of the species. It does not affect me if I don't pass on my genes, nor does it affect any other individual, gay or not, who does not pass on their genes.

Also, not everyone who is not homosexual passes on their genes, either. That doesn't seem to have a detrimental effect, either.

Evolution is far more large scale than a few individuals, unless of course the entire species consists of those few individuals. And most genes are not unique, either; it is the combination of all our genes that makes us unique. So you can be that, for everyone who does not procreate, there are many others who pass on the same genes nonetheless. Just not in the same combination.

you are asking one of those questions most people with a 'heterocentric' perspective on homosexuality just can't move past.

If you had asked questions like "how can homosexuality increase a species chances of surviving?" or

" what are some possible purposes for homosexuality?" or "are there benefits in having homosexuals in societies?" II'd have been interested in giving you some answers and information.

Here's a national geographic 7 minute movie to start you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saO_RFWWVV

First of all you can't "mate" with the same sex. To address your main point: evolution is not engineering, it's trial and error. Sometimes genes get passed, sometimes they don't.

It is a little confusing to think about.....most scientists are still pondering this. Personally, I think homosexuality is a form of natural population control. So the birth rate isn't so high, and there's less competition for resources

One way to think about it is that since the likelihood of a child being homosexual increase as the number of siblings increase, then the homosexual child is their to assist in the raising of their nieces and nephews. By raising the children of their siblings they assist in the propagation of their "family's" genetic code to the next generation by improving the next generation's chances of surviving to adulthood.

It doesn't. Evolution operates on species, not individuals. Sexuality is about individuals. It's two completely different arenas.

We all don't need to pass on our genes as one would think! To live your life is how you see it rather than others! It's your life.

Some things in life do not require an explanation.