Homosexuality is natural – The Animal Kingdom and Penguins Prove it
Anyone saying “homosexuality is unnatural” is simply wrong, ignorant and should read the following:
The animal kingdom, nature itself, mind you, is constantly setting the record straight when it comes to sexual preference and gender.
Penguins are one of the most well-known animals for their homosexual behavior.
Over and over again, same-sex penguin couples have even adopted abandoned eggs or chicks. For example, in 2019, two male gentoo penguins at the SEA LIFE London aquarium adopted a chick that had been rejected by its mother. The two penguins raised the chick together and it eventually hatched and thrived.
Actually, zoos and aquariums around the world are often making headlines for their same-sex penguin couplings. One of the most iconic couples was Roy and Silo, two male penguins who began performing mating rituals at the Central Park Zoo in 1998.
The list of gay penguin couples goes on and on. Harry and Pepper formed a pair at the San Francisco Zoo. Sphen and Magic at SEA LIFE Aquarium Sydney who hatched their first chick in 2018. Electra and Viola are raising a chick at the L’Oceanogràfic in Valencia, Spain. Then there is Ronnie and Reggie in London. And the list goes on. Even in the television show Parks and Recreation, Leslie Knope hosts a wedding for two male penguins at the Pawnee Zoo.
Same-sex preference behavior in penguins is a very well-documented phenomenon. It is clear that penguins are capable of forming strong emotional bonds with other penguins, regardless of their gender. This suggests that homosexuality is not simply a human thing, but is something that can be found in animals as well.
Homosexuality in the Animal Kingdom
Homosexuality is of course not limited to penguins. It has been observed in a variety of other animal species, including monkeys, dogs, lions, dolphins, giraffes, and even sheep. In some cases, same-sex behavior in animals is a form of play or exploration. In other cases, same-sex couples form strong bonds and even raise families together.
Male seahorses famously carry the young while they develop, and are the ones who give birth. Bluehead wrasses all hatch as female. As they mature, some develop into males.
Antonia Forster explains it best in the Ted Talk video below
The sexual preference in animals topic is vast. The idea that certain behavior is “unnatural” is often used to justify bigotry, especially against people who are LGBT, polyamorous, or in any way non-traditional. But is it true? Antonia Forster is a bisexual, non-monogamous biologist that wants to set the record straight.
What does “natural” mean? Are there always two sexes? Understand the animal kingdom as you’ve never did it before. Antonia Forster is a science presenter, comedian, and… rapper. Antonia believes communicating science should be fun as well as facty. Watch the video above and stay tuned right to the end for her rap about the diverse sexual practices of the animal kingdom! It is mind-blowing!
Most zoos and aquariums stick pretty exclusively to scripts around environmentalism and conservation. While those are indeed important topics, these institutions should speak up and highlight the homosexuality aspect more. The common argument against LGBTQ+ some people bring that “it’s not natural.” must end now. Zoos should use the opportunity to come forward and say “actually, that’s simply not true.”