Zoophilia

Zoophilia is defined as sexual attraction to non-human animals. Human/animal sexual interaction is referred to as bestiality, or simply animal sex. In the context of pornography, the term "farmsex" is also sometimes used.

Pan copulating with a goat; marble sculpture from the ancient city of Herculaneum.

Zoophilia is widely considered unnatural and human/animal sex has been condemned as animal abuse. Some advocates such as Peter Singer argue that this is not inherently the case. Sodomy is illegal in many jurisdictions, while in others, such as in Germany, mistreatment of animals in general is outlawed but bestiality is not specifically mentioned.

The extent to which human/animal sexual interaction occurs is controversial. Zoophilia advocates also claim that the human/animal relationship goes far beyond sexuality, and that they are capable of forming a loving relationship with an animal that can frequently last several years and that they do not consider functionally different from any other love/sex relationship.

Bestiality has been a frequent subject in art, literature, and fantasy. In Greek mythology, Zeus appeared to Leda in the form of a swan (resulting in the birth of Helen and Polydeuces), and the Minotaur was the offspring of Queen Pasiphae and a white bull. The God Pan has also been frequently associated with animal sex.

Erotic furry fantasy art and stories have been accused of promoting zoophilia, but defenders point out that the characters are predominantly humanoid fantasy creatures who are thinking, reasoning beings as capable of giving consent as any human. Furry characters have been compared to other non-human characters who are subjects of love/sexuality fantasies, such as the Vulcans and Klingons in Star Trek.

See also: paraphilia