Did you know that both the male and female spotted hyena have penises? New York's Museum of Sex (MoSex) shares this information and much more in its new exhibit, `The Sex Lives of Animals'.
"We're creating a new natural history through our presentation,'' Sarah Jacobs, MoSex's curator, said in an interview with Bloomberg.
"When you look at animals in the typical natural history museum context, their genitalia is often missing, and it just becomes a discussion about reproductive sex.''
The standout pieces in the exhibit include, "Deer Threesome'' which is pretty self-explanatory, and Gay Dolphin pieces where fins are used a male genital. There is even a male bonobo soliciting sex in exchange for a sugar cane!
The exhibit will be active through Spring 2009.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Sexual Education Exhibits
- Museums and educational institutions can create exhibits that offer comprehensive and accurate information on sex and sexuality, challenging the prevailing myths and taboos.
- Inclusivity in Natural History Museums
- More museums can follow MoSex's example and include anatomical details related to sexual reproduction in their exhibits, promoting greater inclusivity and diversity in natural history education.
- Sexual Diversity Awareness
- There is an opportunity for institutions to raise awareness and promote acceptance of diverse sexualities and behaviors in the animal kingdom, advocating for more tolerant attitudes toward human sexuality as well.
Where This Applies
- Museum
- Museums can leverage their platforms to deliver unconventional education on human sexuality, animals, and natural history through innovative exhibits that challenge the status quo.
- Education
- Educational institutions can create programs and courses that cover diverse sexualities, combating misinformation and promoting sexual literacy and inclusivity.
- Science
- Researchers can expand their investigations of animal sexual behavior and anatomy, sharing their findings with museums and educational institutions for inclusion in future exhibits and education programs.
