Queerness in nature has been observed throughout centuries, showing us same-sex animal partnerships and changes in sex throughout different species’ lifetimes. These natural processes demonstrate the vibrance of the natural world, filled with queerness but distinctly lacking in homophobia! 

Bottlenose Dolphins
Bottlenose dolphins are known to experience periods of monogamy with other dolphins of the same sex. Male dolphins in particular have been observed to go through long periods of exclusive homosexuality, forming relationships with other male dolphins, often living together for decades, hunting together, and engaging in sexual behaviour. 

Penguins
With a gay penguin couple adopting a baby chick in Sea Life Sydney in 2018, and a 1910 scientific exploration observing homosexuality within an Adélie penguin colony, queerness in penguins has been well documented. 

Bonobo
Bonobos, an endangered great ape, experience queerness within their species to an even greater degree than heterosexuality, with most of the species being bisexual. Bonobos share almost 99% of their DNA with humans. 

Swans
Like many birds, swans tend to be monogamous, with studies showing as much as 20% of the swan population in same-sex relationships. As the widely identified symbols of love, it’s interesting to know how much queerness exists among swans! 

Giraffes
Field observations of male giraffes have noted their engaging in same-sex relations, often tending to ‘neck’ other male giraffes even more so than female giraffes, whereby they kiss, rub necks, and nuzzle bodies. 

Clownfish
Clownfish are one of around 500 species of fish that can change sex. When the female leader of a group of clownfish dies, the next-in-line male changes sex in order to become the leader. 

Lions
Lions in all-male packs have been reported to engage in sex as a way of strengthening their loyalty. While researchers have often linked this to lions’ deep bonds, a ‘bromance’ of sorts, their sexual fluidity is absolutely noteworthy. 

Elephants
Male African and Asiatic elephants have been observed to engage in homosexual bonding and mounting, such as in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Elephants, straight and queer, also show affection by intertwining their trunks. 

Gorillas
Research from the University of Western Australia noted that, out of a group of 22 female gorillas observed, 18 were recorded engaging in sex. Given that the study took place on gorillas in the wild as opposed to captivity, it shows this as something intrinsic to gorillas’ natural behaviours. 

Sheep
Studies suggest that around eight percent of males in flocks of sheep prefer other males. There is even a flock of gay sheep in Germany producing wool for Rainbow Wool.

Vultures 
Vultures are another species with lots of same-sex couplings. In a Dutch zoo, two male vultures in a “long-standing relationship” became parents after caring for an abandoned egg, which zoo staff placed in their trust, having observed their relationship and care.

Studies suggest queerness is present in over 1,500 species of animals, confirming that the natural world is as gay as it has always been.

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