Believe it or not, there are many animals who engage in homosexuality, but never homophobia…
Lions
Believe it or not, even the mighty king of the jungle engages in homosexuality from time to time. Male lions in all-male packs have been reported to engage in homosexual activity, and some male lions can even form partner bonds that last several days.
Penguins
If you thought penguins were cute, you’re going to love gay penguins even more. In October, a gay penguin couple in the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, Sphen and Magic, welcomed their baby chick into the world after they adopted an egg. According to Tish Hannan, the adorable pair are “taking turns caring for their baby chick.”
Bottlenose Dolphins
Dolphins are known to go through periods of being monogamous with another dolphin of the same sex. Although both male and female dolphins are known to be bisexual, male dolphins can go through phases of exclusive homosexuality.
Swans
These angelic birds can get loved up in more than one way. Swans, like many birds, tend to be monogamous and stick with one partner for many years (and do that cute heart-shape thing together!). You might be surprised to know that as much as 20% of the swan population is actually in same-sex relationships and often adopt abandoned eggs.
Sheep
Bahhh Felicia! Studies suggest that around eight percent of males in flocks of sheep prefer other males.
Warthogs
Biologists have reported witnessing female warthogs enter into long-term partnerships with other females, and will often raise offspring together and even suckle each other’s young. Male warthogs are also known to enter into same-sex partnerships but without sexual activity.
Elephants
Male African and Asiatic elephants are known to show signs of affection towards each other, including touching mouths (kissing), placing their trunks in each other’s mouths, and intertwining their trunks. Homosexual relations have also been observed between female elephants in captivity.
Gorillas
Female gorillas in Rwanda have been spotted getting… romantic with each other. Of the 22 female gorillas that Dr Cyril Grueter from the University of Western Australia observed, 18 were found to be engaging in homosexuality.
Giraffes
Male giraffes are known to engage in same-sex relations before reaching sexual maturity and tend to tongue kiss, rub necks, nuzzle, and rub bodies with other males.
Vultures
A pair of male griffon vultures in Jerusalem Zoo raised two fledgelings together. After Yehuda decided to leave Dashik for a female partner, Dashik apparently became depressed and moved to the zoological research garden at Tel Aviv University. We feel you, Dashik. Breakups suck.
Bonobo
These dwarf chimpanzees use sex as a way to form group bonds and resolve group conflicts. Same-sex encounters are common, especially among female bonobos. It is interesting to note that bonobos share 98.7% of humankind’s DNA, so you can bring that to the table next time someone wants to come at you with the ‘homosexuality is unnatural’ nonsense.
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