Evolution's Rainbow
Diversity, Gender, and Sexuality in Nature and People
- 474 pages
- 17 hours of reading
In this innovative celebration of diversity and individuality in both animals and humans, Joan Roughgarden challenges conventional views on gender identity and sexual orientation. As a distinguished evolutionary biologist, she critiques the medical establishment, religious texts, social science, and even Darwin's theories. The discussion spans the remarkable diversity of gender and sexuality in various species, including fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals, revealing how genes and hormones contribute to differences in body and behavior. Roughgarden reinterprets primary science through the lens of feminist, gay, and transgender criticism, redefining sex, gender, and sexuality. Witty and daring, her work aims to revolutionize our understanding of these concepts. She argues against key elements of Darwinian sexual selection theory, proposing a new perspective that prioritizes social inclusion and resource access. Additionally, she disputes several scientific notions, including genetic determinism, the existence of a "gay gene," and the role of parenting in gender identity. Roughgarden emphasizes the need for social sciences to respect diverse individuals and highlights historical cultural acceptance of those labeled as lesbian, gay, and transgender. The conclusion offers bold recommendations for enhancing education in biology and psychology, democratizing genetic engineering, and establishing a public monument to celebrate diversi
