Channel 4 Commissions My Gay Dog and Other Animals

My Gay Dog and Other Animals (working title) from Arrow Pictures, the company behind Dogs: Their Secret Lives, has been ordered by Channel 4.

The new documentary explores gay behavior in animals, highlighting recent research from leading scientists in the field to learn about the more than 1,500 animal species that display same-sex behavior. My Gay Dog and Other Animals will hear from experts who specialize in evolutionary anthropology, sexuality, sex differences and gender differences; scientists leading the study of the genetics of homosexual behavior in animals; and non-academic experts, including zoologists, farmers and more.

My Gay Dog and Other Animals is executive produced by Nick Metcalfe for Arrow Pictures and was commissioned by Siobhan Sinnerton, commissioning editor of news and affairs for Channel 4. Blue Ant Media is distributing the title internationally.

Sinnerton said: “This hugely enjoyable film explores the complex science and associated controversies around same-sex behavior in animals in a totally refreshing way.”

Metcalfe added: “Even though it was observed by the ancient Greeks and Egyptians, same-sex behavior in the animal kingdom has since largely gone unreported and unanalyzed. From domestic pets to the kings of the jungle, it was thought that the animal may just be showing its dominance or higher social status. British scientists now believe that they are close to identifying the combinations of genes that explain why there may be evolutionary advantages to an animal being gay. This documentary builds on Arrow’s reputation of presenting pioneering science in an accessible and compelling way, so we are delighted to be working with scientists to bring this ground-breaking discovery to the screen.”