Homosexuality in the Animal Kingdom - by Angela Woltermann

While everyone has their own opinions regarding homosexuality, there’s at least one fact that cannot be denied—homosexuality exists outside of the human species. This is the first argument to be brought up when same-sex couples are claimed to be “unnatural.” In fact, it’s completely natural in many different species.

Take giraffes for example. Male giraffes actually exhibit a lot of homosexual behavior. “Necking” is the locking of necks between giraffes as an act of either aggression or intimacy, often seen between young males.[1] While this can be a fight to the death, in many cases, this is used as a means of becoming sexually aroused, in which the males will neck until erect, and eventually lead to full-blown coitus.[2]

Penguins are also a very commonly used example, especially due to the zoo-captive penguin couple, Roy and Silo, who fathered an adopted egg named Tango. Same-sex couples of penguins, who mate for life, will parent rocks if they are without an egg, but as Roy and Silo did, they will adopt eggs from heterosexual couples if the egg is abandoned. Often times, these chicks are raised better under the care of two fathers than of a father and a mother. A children’s book about the famous penguin family entitled “And Tango Makes Three” was published for children of same-sex couples, which of course sparked an unnecessary amount of controversy and anger due to directing the ideas of homosexuality towards such young audiences.[3]

Homosexuality in penguins is not such a recent discovery as one might assume. In fact, one of the earliest documented findings of homosexual penguins came from a surgeon named George Levick during the expedition to the South Pole in 1910. The article had never been released until now, because the findings were more taboo during that time and went unpublished. Reportedly, Levick witnessed a series of sexual behaviors between penguins that appalled him including necrophilia, rape, and sodomy.[4]

In every species that has sex, homosexuality exists in some shape or form. Whether it’s in sexually gratifying behaviors or mating for life, we cannot deny the fact that it exists. So why is it that only humans seem to make the biggest fuss about it? Why do we fight over whether or not it’s “natural” when, clearly, it’s not something reserved solely for the human race?

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[1] Learn Animals, "Giraffe." Accessed March 28, 2014. http://www.learnanimals.com/giraffe/.

[2] Ibid

[3] Sherri, Liberman, and Branch Mulberry. New York Public Library, "Banned Books Week: And Tango Makes Three." Last modified September 23, 2013. Accessed March 29, 2014. http://www.nypl.org/blog/2013/09/23/banned-books-week-and-tango-makes-three.

[4] Jeanna, Bryner, and . livescience, "Penguins' Explicit Sex Acts Shocked Polar Explorer." Last modified June 11, 2012. Accessed March 29, 2014. http://www.livescience.com/20866-polar-explorer-report-gay-penguin-sex.html.