Science, Spirituality, and LGBTQ
Queer Organisms: Nature’s Lesson for Diversity, Inclusion, and Equality
My first impression of homosexuality in my secondary school years and how I gained a better understanding in my postgraduate years leveraging scientific studies
During my high school years, an innocent revelation by a friend about his homosexual tendencies sent shockwaves through our friendly chat group. The once cheerful atmosphere turned silent when another friend declared that homosexuality wasn’t natural. Clueless at the time, I sought understanding.
Our biology teacher in his 40s, a warm and encouraging figure, urged us to ask any question without judgment. Encouraged by this, I boldly asked in front of the class if homosexuality was unnatural.
The teacher’s stunned silence and the ensuing disapproval from my peers left me feeling guilty and embarrassed. My best friend teased me, calling it a ridiculous question.
Despite this, the teacher responded calmly, explaining that, yes, it was considered unnatural because it did not align with the traditional purpose of genes to replicate and produce the next generation.
While relieved the teacher didn’t dismiss my question, the recommended books from the school library echoed this perspective.
However, my intuition told me there was more to the story, especially as I encountered more openly homosexual friends during my tertiary education in Europe and Australia. In these places, acceptance was more widespread, except for a minority with strong religious beliefs.
My curiosity deepened during postgraduate studies when some professors were openly gay and proud of it.
Their scholarly works, including dissertations on gay and bisexual people in Australia, were published by prestigious universities and peer-reviewed journals. Meeting them exposed me to a vast literature that quenched my thirst for knowledge. Now, we have a more established body of knowledge in Australia.
For example, a 2019 study published in the Australian Journal of General Practice informed that “while there has been an increased focus on lesbian and gay health in recent years, general practitioners may be less familiar with the specific health needs of bisexual people. This is the most extensive study of bisexual Australians to date and provides detailed information about the relationships between bisexual life experiences and poor mental health.”
Building on theories in outstanding publications, I delved into the concept of Queer Organisms introduced by my lecturers in the 1980s and my science mentors in the 1990s. This journey shaped my understanding of sexuality and encouraged me to share these findings with my readers for awareness and to make their research journey easier.
Extensive research spanned decades, revealing the fluidity of sexuality, a dynamic aspect that can evolve across various life phases. These studies imparted the wisdom of viewing sexuality as a spectrum, ranging from the most straightforward at one end to the most diverse at the other. This spectrum, they emphasized, is not fixed but can fluctuate throughout our life journey.
Given the breadth of the topic, I condensed my decades of discoveries to offer insights for awareness purposes. I linked noteworthy sources for those keen on delving into the intricacies and exploring the subject scientifically. This is not a scientific paper but a personal story offering perspectives and curated information from my research.
I also investigated the topic from our cognitive functions and mental health perspective, which I will cover in another story soon.
What we can learn about the animal kingdom from homosexual animals for nature’s intention for evolution, survival, bonding, and well-being of species
Queer organisms, those that exhibit non-traditional sexual or reproductive behaviors, offer us a fascinating glimpse into the diversity of life on Earth. They challenge our traditional notions of gender and sexuality and remind us that there is no one right way to be.
In the animal and plant kingdom, there are a variety of mechanisms that can lead to queer behavior. One common mechanism is hermaphroditism, where an organism possesses both male and female reproductive organs.
Hermaphroditism
As documented in this 1999 paper, hermaphroditism is a more general term for the discrepancy between the phenotype and the genotype of sex development than sexual ambiguity, which refers mainly to external genitalia anomalies.
This is seen in many plants and smaller animals, such as snails. Another mechanism is sequential hermaphroditism, where an organism changes sex at some point during its lifespan. This is observed in fish, like clownfish, where the largest and most dominant fish is female, while the smaller fish are male.
For example, as this 2012 paper states, while most research on sex-specific personality has focused on dioecious species, these researchers explored sex differences in behavioral type expression in a sequential hermaphrodite, the mangrove killifish.
This 2016 paper in Nature informs that sequential hermaphroditism is a unique reproductive strategy among teleosts displayed mainly in fish species living in the coral reef environment. The reproductive biology of hermaphrodites has long been intriguing. However, little is known about the molecular pathways underlying their sex change.
When I reviewed the literature in detail, I noticed that these mechanisms can benefit organisms. In some cases, they can improve reproductive efficiency, as organisms can mate with both males and females.
In other cases, they can help organisms adapt to changing environmental conditions. For example, some clownfish change sex when the dominant female dies, ensuring that there is always a female to lead the group.
The existence of queer organisms has important implications for our understanding of gender and sexuality. It challenges the traditional view that there are only two sexes, male and female and that these sexes are fixed and immutable.
Instead, it shows that sex and sexuality are fluid and diverse and that there are many different ways to be.
In my opinion and in the perspectives of some people I met in science communities, this understanding might promote diversity, inclusion, and equality for the LGBTQ community.
When we recognize that queer behavior is a natural part of life, we can begin to challenge stereotypes and prejudices against LGBTQ people.
We can also create a more inclusive society where everyone feels safe and respected, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
In addition to their biological significance, queer organisms can also teach us important lessons about spirituality and community.
For example, in many spiritual traditions, diversity and inclusion are seen as essential values. Queer organisms remind us that we are all part of a rich and diverse tapestry of life and that we should celebrate our differences.
We now know that homosexuality is not unique to humans. It is found in various species across the animal kingdom. The mechanisms and reasons behind it are pretty intriguing.
Theory, Impact, and Implications
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to explaining why homosexuality exists, but some theories suggest it could be related to social bonding, population control, or even a byproduct of other evolutionary traits.
In terms of impact, it can have both social and biological significance. Socially, it can contribute to the cohesion of a group. For instance, in particular bird species, homosexual couples might help with parenting duties, supporting the survival of the group’s offspring.
Biologically, it’s interesting because, despite not directly contributing to reproduction, these individuals are a part of the community. They might play roles in helping raise the young or contribute to the overall well-being of the group.
The implications are vast. It challenges the traditional view that the sole purpose of sex is reproduction. Homosexuality showcases the complexity of social structures in various species.
Examples from the Animals' Word
Animals have multiple shades of sexual orientation. Homosexuality is found in various animal species, including mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and invertebrates. Let me give you some examples from my research.
Bonobos are closely related to chimpanzees, but they have a much more peaceful and cooperative society. Homosexual behavior is typical in bonobos. It is thought to play a role in social bonding and conflict resolution.
Penguins are known for their strong pair bonds. Many penguin pairs are same-sex. Penguin pairs raise chicks together. They are reported just as successful at raising young as heterosexual pairs. I also read about bigger animals like dolphins, rams, and lions.
For example, dolphins are highly social animals, and they form complex relationships with each other. Rams are male sheep. They form same-sex pairs, bonding closely and protecting each other from other rams. Homosexual behavior is typical in lion pride. It is believed to play a role in social bonding and maintaining the pride hierarchy.
These are just a few examples of the many animal species that exhibit homosexual behavior. Homosexuality is a natural part of the animal kingdom and is vital in social bonding, conflict resolution, and parenting.
In addition to these benefits, homosexuality may maintain genetic diversity in a population. The population can avoid becoming too inbred by having individuals that do not reproduce. This can be especially important for small populations or populations that are isolated from other populations.
Thus, homosexuality in the animal kingdom challenges our traditional notions of sex and sexuality. It shows that there is no right way to be and that diversity is a natural and essential part of life.
Conclusions
Homosexual behavior has been observed in various animal species, and researchers have documented these occurrences in scientific studies.
For example, Dr Volker Sommer, Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology at University College London, published an outstanding resource titled Homosexual Behaviour in Animals published by Cambridge University.
Homosexual Behaviour in Animals seeks to readdress this imbalance by exploring animal same-sex sexual behavior from an evolutionary perspective. However, there has been a relative paucity of research on the evolutionary aspects.
The book states that “Behavioural observations from both the field and captivity indicate that same-sex sexual interactions are widespread throughout the animal kingdom and occur quite frequently in certain non-human species. Proximate studies of these phenomena have yielded important insights into genetic, hormonal, and neural correlates.
Dr. Volker, with his collaborator Dr. Vasey (a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Lethbridge wrote an outstanding paper titled Homosexual Behavior in Primates: A Review of Evidence and Theory in 1995, published in the International Journal of Primatology.
I also enjoyed the book by Dr. Bruce Bagemihl (Cognitive Scientist, Linguist, and Biologist) titled “Biological Exuberance: Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity.” It is a comprehensive exploration of same-sex behavior in the animal kingdom. It covers many species and provides a wealth of scientific information.
The book informs that homosexuality in its myriad forms has been scientifically documented in more than 450 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, and other animals worldwide.
Biological Exuberance is the first comprehensive account of the subject, bringing together accurate, accessible, and non-sensationalized information. Drawing upon a rich body of zoological research over two centuries, Dr Bagemihl shows that animals engage in nonreproductive sexual behavior.
Biological Exuberance is a landmark book that will change forever how we look at nature. Inspiringly, the prestigious JAMA Network Reviewed the book for the science community in 2000.
I also admired the book of Dr Joan Roughgarden, who is Professor of Biology Emerita at Stanford University. The title of the book Evolution’s RainbowDiversity, Gender, and Sexuality in Nature and People, published by the University of California Press in 2013.
Dr Roughgarden (a distinguished evolutionary biologist) challenges accepted wisdom about gender identity and sexual orientation. She takes on the medical establishment, the Bible, social science, and even Darwin himself. She leads the reader through a fascinating discussion of diversity in gender and sexuality among fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals, and primates.
These resources provide in-depth examinations of the subject, presenting scientific evidence and theories about homosexuality in various animal species.
I believe that expressions of sexuality in the animal kingdom can be complex and multifaceted. They may not always align with human concepts of sexual orientation.
The explanation that homosexuality in animals may serve social bonding, reduce tension, or contribute to the overall well-being of the group is supported by scientific observations.
The scientific studies and books I reviewed challenge traditional views that solely link sexual behavior to reproduction and highlight how animals interact and form social structures.
While homosexuality in the animal kingdom may not be universally prevalent across all species, its occurrence in various forms underscores the rich spectrum of behaviors found in nature.
I’d like to end my story by introducing an insightful TED talk by a medical doctor, James O’Keefe MD, my mentor, who gives us a deeply personal and fascinating insight into why homosexuality is a necessary and extraordinarily useful cog in nature’s wheel of perfection.
I admire Dr O’Keefe as he is board-certified in Cardiology, Internal Medicine, Nuclear Cardiology, and Cardiac CT Imaging.
He is consistently ranked among the ‘Top Doctor’ lists regionally and nationally as one of America’s Top Rated Physicians. He has contributed 300+ scientific papers to the medical literature.
Dr O’Keefe has authored best-selling cardiovascular books for health professionals, including Dyslipidemia Essentials and Diabetes Essential, which I will review in other articles.
Please enjoy this remarkable presentation titled Homosexuality: It’s about survival — not sex viewed by over 39 million watchers on YouTube.
Related to my story, I recently read an inspiring article in my publication, ILLUMINATION-Curated, penned by Dr. Cedric Johnson, PhD, a psychologist and spiritual leader with over a half-century of experience analyzing human behavior. Dr Johnson, in the article, said:
“It was a first for me because way back in South Africa when I was a Baptist minister in the late 1960s, I knew nothing about homosexuality and gay marriage. And as for officiating at a same-sex ceremony, it was not in the cards. That wedding was an outward sign of my religious metamorphosis. My religion had now become a matter of the heart, not some head-generated constriction. Intuitively, I knew that my officiating was the right and just action to take.”
As part of my post-doctoral research in cognitive science and technology, I also investigated digisexuality and summarized my research in an article titled Can Digisexuality Be Part of the Rainbow of Human Sexual & Emotional Experience? in 2021.
A heartfelt appreciation goes to Marcus for skillfully editing this narrative on digisexuality. His adept touch has not only enhanced its appeal but also served as a bridge connecting my complex research to a broader audience of discerning readers on this platform.
Reflecting on this journey, I wish my biology teacher had still been alive to witness the culmination of my extensive research.
I believe he would take pride in the discoveries and the contribution I aim to make to society by fostering awareness. In his spirit of encouragement, I strive to carry forward the torch of understanding and acceptance.
Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life.
To inform my new readers, I wrote numerous articles that might inform and inspire you. Some topics I cover are brain and cognitive function, significant health conditions, valuable nutrients, ketogenic lifestyle, self-healing, weight management, and humor.
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