A lot of the time, we humans like to consider ourselves unique, evolved, and somewhat separate from our animal cousins. We, however, have a lot more in common than we think. While our culture has historically had a negative attitude towards homosexuality, for over 1,500 species of animal, homosexual behavior is natural. Cetaceans (i.e., whales, dolphins, and porpoises) in particular have been recorded expressing an entire spectrum of queer behaviors. This group of species are considered more emotionally intelligent than humans, suggesting that their thoughts and emotions are more complex and developed than our own. Which leads to the question – what can whales tell us about human queer identities?

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The Anti-Nuclear Family

While the Spice Girls may have coined the term Girl Power in the late 1990s, whales have been living this slogan since time immemorial. A society led by ‘single’ females is one that may be unconventional to us yet is traditional beneath the waves. Matrilineal social structures, where females are head of the family and a male’s main contribution is reproduction, is standard across many species of cetacean. Back when Northern Resident killer whale C1 (Namu) was accidentally captured in nets in British Columbia in the 1960s, and subsequently transported to Seattle aquarium in a floating sea pen, the media considered the whales following Namu to be his wife and children. In fact, these whales were his mom and siblings. Some of the first people to study killer whales also thought that pods were led by the largest male in the group (i.e., patriarchal), when in fact these males are in fact largely dependent on their moms for their whole lives. Whale families are more akin to human family structures led by single moms, lesbian moms, or moms raising their kids with a village of family and friends. There is something to be said about the world’s most emotionally evolved species being led by females.

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‘Bromances’ and ‘Gal Pals’

As a lesbian, I have been victim of the ‘friends’ or ‘sisters’ generalization when my wife and I are doing something as basic as renewing our health cards or going out for dinner. This human bias also translates to the underwater world of whales. Killer whales typically stay with their moms their whole lives, but sometimes, male whales are seen outside of their immediate family group. There are instances of two or more male, adult killer whales travelling and associating with each other for years, like shark-eating Port with Starboard off South Africa, T128 (Flotsam) with T125A (Jetsam) in the Northeast Pacific, and W001 (John Coe) with W008 (Aquarius) off the west coast of Scotland. Whether these whales are together through circumstance (i.e., roommates) or more (i.e., lovers), these associations are typically labelled ‘brothers’ or ‘friends’. Similarly, female sperm whales are considered to form life-long friendships with other females. They are even known to share the equivalent of ‘inside jokes’ through unique dialects across generations, redefining our human standards of BFFs. As this species is deep diving, we as humans only get to observe this species for the brief moments they are at the surface, meaning there could be a lot more going on between these besties than meets the eye.

From assumptions to observations, whilst captivity limits the ability of whales to exhibit natural behaviors, it’s one benefit is the ability to observe whales up close and personal – for science. Lesbian sex between killer whales has been observed in captivity, and whilst the reason behind this behavior is not 100% confirmed, some scientists have suggested that same-sex genital contact in female dolphins is driven by their ability to feel pleasure via their evolved clitorises. Females however are not alone in this. Homosexual behaviors are more commonly observed between male whales (maybe because it is more obvious…). In western Australia, male bottlenose dolphins regularly take part in sexual contact with other males to strengthen long-term alliances and maintain social structure. Bottlenose dolphins off western UK waters have also been reported to exhibit similar behavior. Dolphins, however, are not alone in this. Humpback whales were in the news recently for exhibiting the same behavior off the coast of Hawaii. The first time that sex between two humpback whales was photographed and it happened to be between two male whales. Similarly, male killer whale ‘bachelor’ groups have been observed rubbing body parts together, including their “sea snakes”. Whilst we can only attribute physical sexual observations to whales due to the limitations of field research and our understanding, it is possible that whales exhibit more than sexually-driven attraction for the same-sex. Female humpback whales have previously been recorded singing (usually a trait exclusive to male whales) during the breeding season. Whether this is because the whale wanted to deter nearby male whales, attract a female, or because the whale identified as a male – we will never know.

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It’s in Their DNA

An important part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ rainbow includes the ‘I’ – intersex individuals. As well as being born with sex characteristics that are not “typical” for male or female bodies, they are also more likely to identify as queer than non-intersex people. For humans, there is a general lack of research for intersex-identifying individuals, so it is no surprise that there is similarly an incomplete understanding in the world of whales. One of the earliest observations in cetaceans was of an intersex fin whale back in the 1960s, and in recent years, there have been numerous additional observations of wild intersex whales including common dolphins, beaked whales, beluga whales, and southern right whales. The era of DNA-based assessment of whales has driven the discovery of intersex individuals, showing that in cetaceans, intersex is more common than historically thought. Suites of DNA tests, when used in parallel, essentially show that XXY or XYY are possible variations of sex chromosomes instead of being considered ‘anomalies’ through a heteronormative lens. In my own research, we use these exact tools to try and figure out the sex of wild whales from the DNA they leave behind in their ‘wake’ – i.e., flukeprints. While this approach can tell us if the DNA signature is male or female (sometimes with ambiguous results), I am often left wondering how the animals perceive and identify themselves. Lastly, in the whale research world, if we do not know the sex of a whale we are monitoring, most refer to them as they/them – the singular pronoun. Gender-neutral pronouns exist in the animal world as they do in the human world and using them is really not that difficult.

So, there it is. A light-hearted look at the queer lives of whales and how it makes us think more about what it means to be in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. I of course caveat with the above as daring to look through a non-heteronormative lens (at the risk of anthropomorphizing), to get you thinking about how our queer identities are not all that different from our animal cousins. In fact, it is natural and should be celebrated as part of the diversity of life.

 

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About the Author

Dr. Chloe Robinson (she/they) is a scientist, conservationist, and science communicator. She currently holds the position of Advisor & Technical Lead for the Whales Initiative at Ocean Wise, where she leads conservation programs aimed at protecting vulnerable whale species. As a scientist, they primarily focus on developing and implementing environmental DNA-based approaches for closing data gaps on whales and their prey, having published 25+ peer-reviewed articles on the application of non-invasive methods for monitoring biodiversity. As a conservationist, she leads the Whale Report Alert System (WRAS), which reduces the risk of ship strike for large whale species across the west coast of North America. As a science communicator, she has won awards for their contributions to public engagement and science dissemination. She identifies as a gender non-conforming lesbian and a passionate advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in science. They have spearheaded initiatives such as a workshop series at the University of Guelph to increase 2SLGBTQIA+ visibility in STEM, a Pride seminar series at Swansea University, and the annual Big Gay Whale Watch on Vancouver Island. Chloe considers themself lucky to be an uninvited settler living, working, and playing on traditional territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən (Lekwungen) peoples (“Victoria’, Canada), where she lives with their wife, son, cats, and many whale neighbours.

The International SeaKeepers Society will host its highly anticipated Founders Event on Thursday, October 30, 2025, during the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show—bringing together ocean lovers, conservation leaders, and marine enthusiasts to celebrate a shared passion for the sea.

This special evening will highlight two extraordinary honorees: Jimmy Buffett, posthumously recognized as the 2025 SeaKeeper of the Year, and Emily Cunningham, MBE, recipient of the 2025 NextGen Award. The Society will also celebrate the 2025 DISCOVERY Fleet, whose vessels supported vital marine research and education throughout the year.

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Event Details

Event:
2025 Annual Founders Event
Hosted by The International SeaKeepers Society

Date:
Thursday, October 30, 2025

Time:
7:00 PM – Cocktails
8:30 PM – Dinner

Location:
Pier Sixty-Six
2301 SE 17th Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

Honorees:

Jimmy Buffett, 2025 SeaKeeper of the Year

Emily Cunningham, MBE, 2025 NextGen Award

2025 DISCOVERY Fleet, for their year-round support of SeaKeepers programming

RSVP Deadline:
Friday, October 24, 2025

Contact:
Email: Marjurie@SeaKeepers.org
Phone: +1 786.924.6209

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RSVP & Ticket Information

This is a ticketed event with limited capacity. RSVPs are required for entry. For ticket purchases or sponsorship inquiries, please contact Marjurie or visit SeaKeepers.org for details.

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2025 DISCOVERY Fleet Recognition

SeaKeepers will recognize the contributions of its DISCOVERY Fleet, a collective of vessels that hosted marine research, educational programming, and outreach around the world. The 2025 impact spans the following regions:

• USA, Headquarters
• Asia & Bangladesh
• United Kingdom
• South Pacific

Attendees will have an opportunity to explore each chapter’s achievements and the vessels that played a vital role in supporting SeaKeepers’ mission this year.

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The Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) is thrilled to announce the launch of the Wheaton Women in Ocean Science Award (WIOSA). A unique opportunity for early-career women in ocean science seeking professional growth, mentorship, and hands-on research experience.

This initiative will support one WIOSA Scholar and two WIOSA Interns, with research focused on one of the following key topics:

• Seagrass ecology
• Coastal blue carbon
• Coral recruitment dynamics

Photo credit: Blue Carbon Offset & Biodiversity – CCMI

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WIOSA Scholar Opportunity

The WIOSA Scholar position is intended for a post-doctoral level researcher seeking to advance an independent research career. Scholars may propose their own research or collaborate on CCMI’s current programming. Preference will be given to projects that investigate:

• The role of seagrass beds
• Coral recruitment processes
• Carbon cycling and its influence on reef and coastal resilience

Location: Little Cayman Research Centre
Fellowship Term: 2025–2027

Support Package:

• $5,000 USD annual fellowship
• $10,000 USD annual research support (including one month of fieldwork, diving, boat use, equipment, room and board)
• $800 USD travel support
• Conference travel funding to present at a regional scientific meeting

In addition, the selected scholar will mentor one of the WIOSA Interns through a transparent selection process.

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WIOSA Internships

Two internship positions are available for graduate students (Master’s or PhD level) pursuing careers in ocean science. Interns will gain field-based experience by contributing to a project led by the WIOSA Scholar.

Key Requirements:

• Certified and experienced scuba diver
• Interest in coral recruitment, seagrass dynamics, or coastal blue carbon

Duration: 2.5 months
Location: Little Cayman Research Centre

Support Package:

• $500 USD monthly stipend
• $800 USD travel support
• Room and board provided
• One-on-one mentorship from a WIOSA Scholar

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How to Apply

Application Deadline: 15 June 2025
To Apply: Email your CV and cover letter to WIOS@reefresearch.org

For full details, visit: https://reefresearch.org/about-ccmi/our-people/positions-available/

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Contact

For any questions about the award or application process, please get in touch.

Abbie Dosell
Head of Fundraising and Engagement
www.reefresearch.org
facebook.com/reefresearch