Anyone who knows something about nature knows there is a great deal of gender diversity and fluidity everywhere.
HERMAPHRODITIC AND TRANSSEXUAL MAYA NUT TREES
For instance, I am learning more about the Maya nut tree (guáimaro) these days. It has four genders: Trees with (a) Female flowers, (b) male flowers, (c) female and male flowers (hermaphrodites), and (d) female flowers for the first years and later male flowers (transgender). The last one is likely because it makes evolutionary sense for older and taller trees to be male since they can spread the pollen further than shorter and younger trees.
It’s not unique to guáimaros. This and more is found in a great variety of plant species.
HOMOSEXUALITY AMONG A VARIETY OF SPECIES
Similarly, homosexuality is common in a wide diversity of species. It’s often observed, and less often reported. “Of 65 researchers working on 52 different species, 77% had observed same-sex sexual behaviour, such as mounting or genital stimulation, but only 48% had collected data and just 19% had published their findings, according to the study in PLOS One.”
What we see in humans – all the LGBT+ – is normal in other species as well and both in the animal and plant realms.
THE DIVERSITY OF LIFE IS WHAT MAKES OUR LIFE POSSIBLE
To me, this universal diversity is fun and interesting. I love the diversity and richness in life.
It’s what makes life possible and it’s what supports our life.
WHY DOES IT SEEM THREATENING TO SOME?
So why does it seem threatening to some?
They seem scared by it, and may not know how to deal with that fear in a healthy way.
They may have a fragile sense of self.
They may be scared of being judged for whatever is in them, so they instead turn around and judge others. They do it in an attempt to feel safe.
I imagine it’s a stressful and painful way to live. It must seem precarious.
To me, it also seems entirely pointless, a waste of energy, and a distraction from far more important issues like our global ecological overshoot. And I also understand that, for them, it’s somehow necessary until it isn’t.