Gays, Evolution: Teamwork, Sacrifice

I was watching the recent Nature (PBS) shows about mating and what females want, and what males will do (or something like that title). There was an interesting segment about some male desert lizards. ‘Blue’ lizards apparently gang up to win females. They are supposedly genetically close, so that if one succeeds in mating it is helping to both. One of the males is willing even to sacrifice himself to allow his friend or brother to succeed. Without teamwork, the blue lizards don’t stand much chance against the bigger (older?) orange lizards of the same species. I was thinking that there could be a human analogy. We know that younger brothers tend to be disproportionately gay. Could this be a reproductive strategy to counter ‘larger’ sized male genes and older males who tend to be bigger and have more status? I.e. younger males would survive better if they pursued females in groups. The less dominant ones would allow the others in the group to mate, but provide protection. If these were also shown to be loyal to the more dominant ones, it would in a way provide status. I.e. the promise of increased protection to any potential female mates.

This is actually similar to my first posted theory, but maybe stated in a different way.

So according to this theory if you’re gay, you’re doing your job if you’ve helped your siblings to find mates and reproduce. Have you done your duty?

Updated Nov2014: A related viewpoint about evolution and homosexuality http://www.towleroad.com/2014/11/scientists-say-homosexuality-is-an-essential-part-of-human-evolution.html

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Recent post on the same topic: https://bert5.wordpress.com/2009/02/08/gays-evolution-population-control/

Nicely written related post: http://mwiner.wordpress.com/2008/02/12/bias-against-homosexuality-is-a-modern-invention/