In a new release from the University of Chicago Press, A Little Queer Natural History by Josh L. Davis explores the diverse expressions of sexuality in the animal kingdom, presenting an engaging compendium of queer behaviour amongst various species. Set to be published in 2024, the book offers a fresh perspective on sexual behaviour, paralleling insights from the LGBTQ+ community with the natural world.
Davis articulates that human understandings of sexuality cannot be directly imposed upon animals. Nonetheless, he suggests that many species exhibit behaviours that one might categorise as queer, challenging the binary concept of sexual orientation. Through a combination of anecdotal observations from nature and scientific insights, Davis highlights examples of non-heteronormative behaviours in a range of creatures.
The text draws on historical observations, revealing that early 20th-century explorers documented male-male partnerships among Adelie penguins, while female Western gulls often engage in communal parenting, raising their young alongside other females. Moreover, in the complex social structures of mammals, both Western lowland gorillas and bonobos partake in sexual activities irrespective of gender.
Davis does not limit his exploration of queerness to animal behaviour alone; he brings readers into the plant kingdom, introducing the concept that sexual expression is multifaceted, even among flora. He provides examples such as the ability of parrot fish to change sex and the fascinating reproductive methods of Komodo dragons, who can reproduce asexually.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/L/bo236997883.html – Corroborates the book’s title, author, and publication details, as well as the diverse expressions of sexuality in the animal, plant, and fungal kingdoms.
- https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/L/bo236997883.html – Provides examples of non-heteronormative behaviors such as male-male partnerships among Adélie penguins and female Western gulls engaging in communal parenting.
- https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/L/bo236997883.html – Highlights the complex social structures and queer behaviors in mammals like Western lowland gorillas and mentions other species like swans and green sea turtles.
- https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/L/bo236997883.html – Introduces the concept of sexual expression in plants and fungi, including examples like parrot fish changing sex and the reproductive methods of various species.
- https://www.prairielights.com/book/9780226837031 – Confirms the book’s publication and explains how it addresses queer animals and their behaviors.
- https://ucp-bv-web1.uchicago.edu/BV.book.epl?ISBN=9780226837031 – Describes the book as beautifully illustrated and scientifically informed, celebrating the diversity of sexual behavior in nature.
- https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/L/bo236997883.html – Details the book’s structure into brief chapters and Davis’s accessible writing style, making it suitable for modern readers.
- https://qnotescarolinas.com/a-little-queer-natural-history/ – Supports the book’s theme of exploring and appreciating the diversity of sexual expression in the natural world and its relevance to both scientific and LGBT discourse.
- https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/L/bo236997883.html – Mentions the book’s aim to challenge binary concepts of sexual orientation and to reflect on the broader spectrum of sexuality in nature and human society.
- https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/L/bo236997883.html – Includes reviews that highlight the book’s importance in correcting blinkered notions of what is considered ‘natural’ and its impact on challenging prejudices.
