Biological Exuberance: Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity

Most of the hand signals are iconic, which means that they bear a physical resemblance to the meanings (i.e., body movements) they represent, although some are less transparently representational than others. Thus, the meaning “Turn your body around” can be related to the circular movement of the corresponding gesture, but this meaning is also conventionalized, since the intended action conveyed by the gesture must be agreed upon and understood by both participants for the gesture to be effective. An individual who hasn’t learned the gestural system, for instance, wouldn’t necessarily know what sort of “turning around” is intended by such a gesture. In conjunction with these hand gestures, a variety of positioning movements involving direct touching and placement of a partner’s body or limbs are also used to facilitate sexual interactions. Together with the more abstract manual gestures, a total of at least 25 signals used during sex have been identified. In addition, patterns of eye contact and gaze also appear to have significant communicative value.

DESCRIPTION: Arm is partially extended, hand flicks back and forth with sideways movement from wrist

MEANING : “Move your genitals around”—used to get partner to position his or her genitals to facilitate a sexual interaction

DESCRIPTION: Arm is extended, hand bends at wrist and makes rapid, vigorous circular motions

MEANING: “Turn your body around”—also used as an invitation for a sexual interaction if other methods of initiation have not worked

DESCRIPTION: Hand is held outstretched toward partner (arm extends upward and outward with palm of hand angled toward the other individual)

MEANING: “Approach”—used to get partner to move closer; also used simply as an invitation for a sexual interaction

A DESCRIPTION: Arm is extended, hand bends at wrist and flips toward self

MEANING: “Come here”—used to get partner to move closer during a sexual interaction

DESCRIPTION: Arm is partially extended and raised while hand flips upward at wrist

MEANING: “Stand up”—used to get partner to stand on hind legs before engaging in a face-to-face sexual interaction

A DESCRIPTION: Arm is extended and raised till about head level with palm facing downward and placed lightly on another individual’s back or shoulder

MEANING: An invitation for a sexual interaction

DESCRIPTION: Knuckles are rested on partner’s arm or back and arm moves back toward self

MEANING: “Move closer”—used to get partner to assume a stance compatible with front-to-back sexual interaction

DESCRIPTION: Arm is lifted up with palm down

MEANING: “Position yourself”—used to get partner to move into a face-to face position

DESCRIPTION: Hand and forearm move across body in a sweeping motion

MEANING: “Turn around”—used to get partner to rotate his or her entire body

DESCRIPTION: Both arms wave or open out from body

MEANING: “Spread your legs andlor arms”—used to get partner to open limbs to facilitate face-to-face positioning