Authors: Luci and Alex, transgender people
Happy Pride Month! Nature stands with you on this. – Luci
A common claim against LGBTQ+ people is that their existence is “a sin against nature”. But does nature itself validate this claim?
While to some, it may come off as a surprise, queerness doesn’t only exist, but is quite abundant throughout nature, providing several examples of how sex, gender, and sexuality are far more diverse and complex than what human society limits them to. This article will focus on same-sex behaviours found across various animal species, whereas the next one will delve into the fluidity of sex/gender in nature.
Same-sex behavior has been documented in over 1500 species across the animal kingdom, which includes mammals, reptiles, birds, and even insects. Here are some of the many examples:
Giraffes – a well-known example, with more than 90% of observed sexual behaviour happening between two males. That involves “necking” (when the giraffes gently rub their necks/heads along each other’s bodies), which often leads to mounting.
Western seagulls – in the 1970’s it was discovered that roughly 10–15% of all western gulls were forming female-female pairs, engaging in courtship, defending territory, and co-parenting chicks.
African and Asian elephants – males will engage in affectionate interactions, such as intertwining their trunks and even kissing. Additionally, males that live apart from the general herd often form companionships consisting of an older individual and one to two younger males, with sexual behavior being an important part of their social dynamic. Such relationships may last for years.
Bonobos – fully bisexual apes, with both males and females engaging in hetero- and homosexual behaviour. Sexual behaviour between females is particularly prominent, which makes for roughly 60% of all sexual encounters between bonobos.
Bats – more than twenty species of bats have been documented engaging in same-sex behaviour, which includes grooming, play, and mounting.
Whiptail lizards – with some of the species consisting of only females that reproduce through parthenogenesis, they still happen to engage in sexual behaviour to stimulate ovulation.
Hissing cockroaches – some male Madagascar hissing cockroaches have been caught displaying same-sex courtship behaviours. In a lab test, 20% of male hissing cockroaches became flirtatious upon meeting another male.
Rainbow Wool: Germany’s first flock of gay sheep
With roughly 10% of sheep being gay, rams that refuse to breed are seen as “useless” in farm environments, often resulting in them being sent to slaughter. Rainbow Wool’s answer is to buy gay rams in order to provide them with a safe and secure environment where they are all free to love each other.
“They do this all the time, because they find each other attractive. They’re cuddling. They’re showing signs of affection. They’re jumping on each other. It’s undeniable that they’re attracted to each other.” – Michael Stücke, co-founder of Rainbow Wool
The flock currently counts 35 male sheep, which provide their wool for queer fashion projects.
Roy and Silo, the gay penguins
Roy and Silo, the two male chinstrap penguins residing in New York City’s Central Park Zoo, were first caught displaying mating rituals back in 1998, which ultimately led to a relationship that lasted six years. After an attempt at hatching a rock, the couple was given a real penguin egg from another pair that was unable to hatch it. Roy and Silo ended up successfully hatching the egg and raising a female chick named Tango. Upon growing up, she paired with another female penguin named Tanuzi. They remained a couple over several breeding seasons.
The story of Roy, Silo, and Tango became the subject of a children’s book called “And Tango Makes Three”.
Jonathan, the world’s oldest (gay) tortoise
The world’s oldest known tortoise, Jonathan, is estimated to be 193 years of age as of 2026. Back in 1991, he was introduced to another tortoise named Frederika, whom he has since formed a long-lasting bond with. Despite their several mating attempts, the two never managed to produce any offspring. The answer to that mystery came only in 2017, when it was discovered that Frederika was, in fact, another male, and was renamed Frederik. To this day, the pair remains inseparable, enjoying their gay tortoise lives.
As long as nature has existed, so has queerness – it is not exclusively a human phenomenon. While some may attempt to deny this, same-sex behaviors and gender fluidity are as natural to us, humans, as they are to the rest of the animal world. The only difference is that animals do not hate, nor do they discriminate each other based on sexual identity.
Nature doesn't mind: queerness in the animal kingdom
