This Film Challenges Gender Norms in the Animal Kingdom

Published November 4, 2026 at 11:56 AM MST

There’s a common critique in anti-LGBT spaces: Animals aren’t gay, they don’t change gender so neither should you. The documentary “Second Nature” says, not so fast.

Narrated by actor Elliot Page and directed by Drew Denny, the film follows trans scientist Joan Roughgarden, who wrote a book in 2004 that challenged prevailing notions about heterosexuality and gender norms in the animal kingdom. It turns out that there are thousands of animal species that exhibit same-sex behavior, as well as a diversity of gender roles. Like male seahorses that become pregnant, birds that parent in same-sex pairs and mammals – like bonobos – that frequently mate in same-sex couples. Drew Denny is joining us to talk about the film and the science you might’ve missed out on in high school biology.

You can join us for a screening of “Second Nature” on Friday, Nov. 6, at the Utah Film Center. That’s the opening night of the Utah Queer Film Festival. More details here.

GUEST –

Drew Denny | Director of the film “Second Nature.”

Airdate: Nov. 5, 2026