Date: [October 17, 2024]
Location: [What is Happening Here Galleries, Reguliersdwarsstraat, Amsterdam]
On the evening of Thursday, October 17, 2024, the winners of the Queer Nature Photography Awards 2024 were announced during a festive ceremony at the What is Happening Here Galleries, Reguliersdwarsstraat, Amsterdam. This competition, which celebrates nature's diversity and fluidity, received submissions from photographers worldwide. The winning photos highlight the natural variety in sexual behavior and gender forms, illustrating nature's unique beauty.
The international jury, comprising a biologist, photographer, magazine editor, and Queer Nature expert, praised the winning photos for their visual impact and the stories that deepen our understanding of the concept of Queer Nature. While more people are familiar with stories of same-sex penguin or flamingo couples, the richness of other stories and forms of relationships, gender, and parenting in the animal kingdom remains largely unknown.
“We hope this competition contributes to the (self-)acceptance of queer individuals. All ten selected and exhibited photos offer unique perspectives on the diversity present in nature, something many unfortunately don’t learn about in school,” said Noah Baars, initiator of the competition.
Announcement of the Top-3 WinnersThe following photographers are part of the top-3 selection:
No. 1: Bachelors
Photographer: Savannah Rose (29), United States:
“Two male moose make contact with each other as they feed together on bitter shrubs. Male moose gather in bachelor groups during winter, and both scientists and I have observed same-sex mating behavior within these groups. The friendships between individual males seem to last for years, perhaps even lifetimes.”
From the Narwhal Rainbow Alliance:
For moose specifically, there is no data regarding the percentage of homosexual behavior. In other deer species, about 10% of males have been observed engaging in homosexual behavior. More research is needed to arrive at a more reliable estimate. Moose are doing relatively well in terms of biodiversity, especially in North America.
No. 2: Gogo Dancers
Photographer: Benji Eisenberg (29), United States/Canada
British Columbia, Canada, 2022
Kelp forests are often referred to as the “gay bars” of the northeastern Pacific Ocean. Kelp, a type of brown algae, thrives in cold, nutrient-rich waters and has been an essential part of the marine ecosystem for over 30 million years. These ancient organisms grow like plants but reproduce like fungi.
These micro-ecosystems are vital habitats for more than a hundred species of crustaceans, fish, and mollusks, all of which may be found in a single area. Some species, like sea slugs, are “simultaneous hermaphrodites,” meaning they possess both male and female sex organs, allowing them to both fertilize and become pregnant.
From the Narwhal Rainbow Alliance:
Kelp sits at the crossroads of different biological systems, exhibiting both plant-like and fungus-like characteristics. It cannot be strictly categorized as a "plant" or "fungus" alone, as it embodies elements of both. In many regions, kelp forests have severely declined over the past few decades due to climate change and pollution.
No. 3: Surfing a Velvet Sea
Photographer: Andrea Izzotti (56), Italy:
This image reminded me of something I read about studies on a group of dolphins in Australia. Scientists showed that the males of these animals form same-sex relationships more frequently than heterosexual ones. They believe the main reason for this is not primarily sexual but rather intimate social bonds. These dolphins exhibit a unique social structure in which all males are bisexual. Homosexual bonds play a crucial role in their community. Male dolphins often form lifelong partnerships, travel together, protect each other, and even share hunting responsibilities. These same-sex relationships persist even after they mate with females. For this reason, this image I captured during a whale safari off the coast of Genoa, Italy, where two striped dolphins swim together, represents the possibility of relationships that are not dependent on strict male-female connections or other human-imposed structures.
From the Narwhal Rainbow Alliance:
Male dolphins often choose partners with whom they sometimes remain for the rest of their lives. Female dolphins also exhibit homosexual behavior, though it is less documented than in males. It is clear that homosexual relationships are not solely based on reproduction but also contribute to the social cohesion and well-being of the groups. The biodiversity status of dolphins is vulnerable and varies significantly by species. While some species are thriving, others are threatened by both human and natural factors.
About the Winning Works
The winning photos not only showcase nature’s beauty but also highlight the often-overlooked diversity in sexual behavior and gender expression. The Queer Nature Photography Awards provide a platform for these phenomena and invite the public to explore the parallels between nature and human experiences.
The winning photos will be on display from October 18 at a special exhibition at the What is Happening Here Galleries and also online at www.narwhalrainbowalliance.com. Everyone is welcome to view the works.
Contact InformationFor more information, interviews, or press material, please contact:
Noah Baars Email: narwhalrainbowalliance@gmail.com
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