The University of South Alabama has confirmed that it does not operate a “queer animals lab,” has conducted no taxpayer-funded research under that description, and has awarded no state or federal funding for such work.
University officials issued the clarification after questions arose regarding whether a psychology research effort on campus had been formally studying so-called “queer animals.”
“There is no ‘queer animals lab,’” the university said in a statement provided to APR. “In fact, there is no laboratory operated by Dr. Lyn containing resident, vertebrate animals.”
The faculty member referenced in earlier coverage, Heidi Lyn, conducts limited behavioral research involving hermit crabs and occasional observational studies with dogs briefly brought to campus by their owners. According to university officials, those studies do not involve investigations into animal sexuality.
University administrators said their review confirmed that no state or federal funding has been awarded for research described as “queer animals” research, that no formal university laboratory exists under that title, and that no peer-reviewed research program at USA operates under that description.
“Dr. Lyn has received no state or federal funding for any research in queer animals, and has not conducted any such research in any form,” the university said. “Her social media presentation of queer animal information is not based on any USA research conducted by her or anyone else.”
A review of publicly available university research listings and departmental descriptions likewise shows no laboratory or funded initiative operating under that description.
According to university officials, the phrase “queer animals lab” originated from the professor’s personal social media activity and was “inaccurate and meant to capture the attention of viewers.” Administrators emphasized that the posts reflected personal advocacy rather than official university research.
“Dr. Lyn’s opinions and videos posted on social media are statements of personal advocacy that do not reflect the position of the University,” officials said. “We have taken steps to correct this by asking Dr. Lyn to rework her personal social media to remove connections to USA.”
University leaders indicated the matter has been addressed internally to ensure a clearer separation between personal expression and institutional affiliation.
Public universities distinguish between individual faculty speech and formal academic research conducted under institutional oversight. Laboratories, funded grants and peer-reviewed scholarship define official research programs. USA officials said none of those elements apply to claims that the university operated a “queer animals lab.”
The issue, administrators said, stemmed from social media language that blurred the line between personal advocacy and institutional activity.
