Queer Nature: A Scientific Perspective

In this special Pride Month episode, Gabrielle explores the fascinating world of queerness in nature. From same-sex penguin pairs in New York to gender-changing clownfish in coral reefs, nature has always been more diverse, adaptable, and surprising than human categories suggest. Drawing on over 600 years of scientific observation, this episode takes listeners on a global journey through the history of animal research, challenges long-held myths, and reflects on what science teaches us about identity and diversity today. 3 Things Listeners Will Learn: How scientists from Aristotle to today have observed same-sex and gender-diverse behaviors in animals. Why queerness in nature offers evolutionary advantages, from social bonding to population resilience. How modern research is reshaping our understanding of sexual and gender diversity across species. Resources & References Evolution's Rainbow by Joan Roughgarden Biological Exuberance by Bruce Bagemihl Sexual Selections: What We Can and Can’t Learn About Sex from Animals by Marlene Zuk Scientific American: “Bisexual Species: Unorthodox Sex in the Animal Kingdom” National Wildlife Federation: "Same-Sex Behavior Among Animals Isn’t New. Science Is Finally Catching Up"   🔗 Explore more on our website: mathsciencehistory.com 📚 To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h   🌍 Let’s Connect! Website: mathsciencehistory.com Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mathsciencehistory.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/math.science.history 🎧 Enjoying the Podcast? If you love Math, Science, History, here’s how you can help:🌟 Leave a review – It helps more people discover the show!📢 Share this episode with friends & fellow history buffs!🔔 Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform ☕ Support the Show: Coffee!! https://shorturl.at/bHIsc 🛍 Checking out our merch: https://www.mathsciencehistory.com/the-store 🎵 Music: All music is public domain and has no Copyright and no rights reserved. Selections from: The Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers Now You Are Here by Sergey Cheremisiniv Eternal Love by Kris Keypovsky A Journey Beyond by Christian Bodhi Until next time, carpe diem!