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“The universe is not only queerer than we suppose, but queerer than we can suppose”
— biologist J.B.S. Haldane
Like most of us, most bonobo apes are functionally bisexual. This is also true of male mallard ducks. In other species, like our own, some individuals seem to be exclusively homosexual while others are heterosexual. This natural variation in orientation may help animals avoid overpopulation.
As humans used to do before the false idea that only the nuclear family is natural became so widespread, animals construct families in many different ways. Oystercatchers parent their young in stable, bonded, mixed-sex trios. Same-sex pairs of flamingoes, penguins, or swans may adopt abandoned or orphaned chicks. Collective parenting is common.
From dolphins deep in the ocean to vultures high in the sky, nonhuman animals court, show affection to, and experience physical pleasure with their same-sex partners in an astonishing array of ways. This proves, if there were any doubt, that animals have feelings rather than being robots programmed to reproduce.
At farms, zoos, labs and other facilities that breed animals, individuals are forced into heterosexual couplings regardless of their own desires, and no animals kept captive in such places are free to construct their own families.
Dairy farms are among the many places that force animals to reproduce, whether or not they would choose to do so. This is one more reason to choose plant-based alternatives to products made from the milk of cows, goats, or sheep.
In the wild, hundreds of animal species enjoy same-sax coupling, courtship, or parenting, but nature shows on TV teach us that animals are automatons whose only goal is reproduction. This makes it easier to dismiss to exploit animals and to dismiss LGBTQ people as “unnatural."
Jean-Paul and Jean-Claude were two pair-bonded ducks who came to our sanctuary after being rescued from a foie gras factory. Even though we knew about the biodiversity of sexuality, we initially thought they were fighting when they were getting it on and repeatedly separated them. But they would not agree to be apart! Over and over again, Jean-Claude took himself on an incredible journey that included climbing a tall fence, walking through the woods, and walking down a road, just to get back to his boyfriend.
The tenacity of their bond persisted for life. They were not monogamous (few ducks are) but they spent most of each day together and bedded down together each night. After many years, Jean-Claude died of the liver disease created by foie gras factories. Although he had been perfectly healthy, Jean-Paul died within a week. Everything we do to draw attention to the linkages between speciesism and homophobia is dedicated to their memory.
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