Have you ever looked at your dog, the subtle gleam in their eyes, the flamboyant way they wag their tail, and thought to yourself … is my dog gay? Now there is proof your beloved animals could bat for the other team. Right in time for Pride Month, studies are suggesting the Animal Kingdom is nothing short of queer.
PLOS One journal has recently announced evidence of widespread findings of same-sex sexual behavior (SSSB) in animals. This is one among many other recent publications about same-sex sexual behavior in animals. A study found a sexually transmitted fungus to be causing cicadas to become hypersexual and gay. Another upcoming documentary, Peacock’s Queer Planet, will show the world “gay penguins,” “bisexual lions,” and “sex-changing clownfish,” to the distaste of many conservatives.
However, most of these studies remain underreported. Many researchers attributed the absence of data to the anecdotal nature of their observations, the difficulty of subject study, or because this type of research is not a priority. In addition, a lack of interest and funding stunts the researchers’ abilities to make observations.
PLOS One found that 77% of the 65 researchers who responded to the survey found SSSB between animals. Only 48% of these researchers collected official data, however, and a mere 19% published their findings. Despite common misconceptions of SSSB between animals as rare, many furry critters are coming out of the habitat and embracing their truest identities.
Karyn Anderson, the first author of the study and a graduate student in anthropology at the University of Toronto, contradicts the narrative of homosexual rarity and unnaturalness applied to both humans and animals. “One thing I think we can say for certain is that same-sex sexual behavior is widespread and natural in the animal kingdom.”
Josh Davis, a researcher at the Natural History Museum in London, commented that although around 1,500 species have depicted homosexual behavior, “This is certainly an underestimate because it’s seen in almost every branch of the evolutionary tree—spiders, squids, monkeys.” Some hypothesize homosexuality as being normal and natural to almost every species. “It’s probably more rare to be a purely heterosexual species,” say Davis.
Questioning concepts of what is traditional and what is natural regarding sex and gender has been an inherent part of the LGBTQ+ community. It is exciting to watch these ideas being unfolded in the Animal Kingdom. Your pooch’s sexuality may very well break down ongoing stigmas of homosexuality being unnatural. Either way, Pride Month is no longer just for us humans, but for all of the beautiful creatures presented to us by Mother Nature.
