6 Queer Marine Species Celebrating Pride in Canada  - Oceana Canada
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June 19, 2025

6 Queer Marine Species Celebrating Pride in Canada 

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June is Pride month, to celebrate we are shedding light on ocean creatures with an incredible spectrum of sexual and gender expressions. These six queer marine species show how incredibly diverse the ocean is and, if they could, we are sure they would share their 2SLGBTQIA+ Pride this month. 

Canadian Queer Marine Species Reflect the Beautiful Fluidity of Nature

Albatrosses – Devoted lesbian parents 

Albatross is a queer marine species

In the lives of Albatrosses, it’s not uncommon to see nesting pairs of females raising their young together. In some colonies, up to a third of nesting partners have shown this behaviour, forming long-term bonds that can last decades. These devoted moms share their parenting duties and proudly display their bond to the world. 

Orca’s – Out with the boys

Orcas in the ocean

Orca’s are matriarchal, with offspring staying near their mothers and grandmothers into adulthood. Once they are old enough to leave their family unit, young males will sometimes group up together. These males form seasonal packs that travel together, sometimes for years, mating with each other and enjoying each other’s company along the way.

Bottlenose dolphins – Bisexual bliss

Bottlenose Dolphins are queer marine species

It has been observed that bottlenose dolphins often form lifelong bonds with exclusive partners that aren’t always with the opposite sex. In fact, their romantic lives are characterised by extensive bisexuality. Partners protect each other from predators, help each other heal from wounds or illness and keep watch while they rest. Now that’s commitment. 

This goes to show that queer marine species each show unique forms of connection, care, and companionship — and there’s still more to explore.

Walruses – The wildest cuddle puddle

Queer marine species such as Walruses

Walruses have the perfect build for cuddle puddles, and they take full advantage. Male walruses have been seen hugging and cuddling in close relationships with male partners. Turns out they display homosexual behaviour in youth and once they reach the age of maturity, they then show more bisexual behaviour. Saving the mating with females for just during the breeding season. 

Grey Whales – Let’s hold hands

Grey Whale

Some grey whales have been seen forming relationships with one or two same-sex partners. In these relationships grey whales swim, sleep, and feed together. Researchers have also caught these groups making a formation where they touch fins, almost as if they’re holding hands. It has yet to be determined the reason for this fin holding but it’s suspected that they might just be happy to be around their partner.

Sea stars – Intersex Icons Amongst Queer Marine Species

Sea Stars are a queer marine species

Sea stars and sea urchins are found in ocean habitats like rockpools, kelp forests and tidal pools and they’ve never had the need to tie themselves to one biological sex or another. These well-loved creatures have both male and female reproductive parts at the same time. And they still partner up to mate, so there’s a lot of love to go around.

Queer Marine Species Show Us That Nature is Diverse by Design

It’s clear that non-heteronormative and queer behaviour is common in the world of ocean wildlife. From deep-sea cuddle puddles to same-sex dolphin duos, these queer marine species show us how beautifully complex life in the ocean can be. And although there is still much research needed to learn more about the social structure of animals living in the deep, this proves once again that queerness is natural. This diversity in nature is often beneficial to the species that display these behaviours. Acting as a reminder that diversity should be celebrated all around. Happy Pride everyone!