Perrin Ireland's 'Poking the Squid' Explores Queer Animal Sex
Perrin Ireland's illustrated nonfiction work, 'Poking the Squid: What We Can Learn from Animal Sex,' explores themes of queerness and sexual fluidity within the animal world. It highlights instances such as seahorse fathers, lesbian pairs of Laysan albatrosses, and clownfish that change sex. Set to be published by W. W. Norton & Company in 2026, this book serves as a creative and scientifically informed homage to the richness of nature, particularly in light of the current presidential administration's hostility towards queer and trans communities. In celebration of Pride, an excerpt from Chapter 4, 'Queering Fatherhood,' has been made available.
Key facts
- Perrin Ireland is an artist and environmentalist.
- The book is a graphic nonfiction titled 'Poking the Squid: What We Can Learn from Animal Sex'.
- It covers queerness and sexual fluidity in animals, including seahorse fathers, lesbian Laysan albatross couples, and clownfish that change sex.
- The book is published by W. W. Norton & Company.
- Copyright year is 2026.
- The excerpt is from Chapter 4, 'Queering Fatherhood'.
- The excerpt was released in honor of Pride.
- The book responds to attacks on queer and trans communities by the current presidential administration.
Entities
Artists
- Perrin Ireland
Institutions
- W. W. Norton & Company