Gay Science: The Totally Scientific Examination of LGBTQ+ Culture, Myths, and Stereotypes

by Rob Anderson

Comedian Rob Anderson examines queer stereotypes and LGBTQ+ culture with humorous explanations borrowed from real principles across multiple fields of science.

Class is in session, babe! Discover the inner workings of the LGBTQ+ community with this humorous and informative book. Author and comedian Rob Anderson borrows the familiar science textbook format to skewer ridiculous queer stereotypes with his own version of science.

Using the principles of natural, social, and formal sciences, Rob answers extremely serious questions Why can’t gays sit in a chair properly? Why don’t lesbians have electricity in their movies? Are colleges turning people bisexual? How does gaydar work? Will bottoms survive the apocalypse?

You’ll read about the three subtypes of the gay uncle species, examine the Periodic Table of LGBTQ+ Elements, understand gay crime and punishment, and get educated on the types of bacteria and viruses that exclusively affect the LGBTQs, like the state of Florida.

Inspired by his viral “Gay Science” series, Rob recreates some of his most popular episodes in a literary format, and also tackles completely fresh subjects, presenting them with super empirical and totally evidence-based homosexual data.

Gay Science

Rob Anderson is course-correcting decades of educational shortcomings by explaining the scientific reasonings behind every aspect of LGBTQ+ life. If you’re looking for a fun book that will probably be banned (if it isn’t already), add Gay Science to your personal lesson plan.

Genres: Humor, LGBT, Nonfiction, Queer, Science, Adult, Gay

240 pages, Hardcover

Published April 23, 2024

Reviews

[Jeffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

*whispers* not every Internet comedian who makes funny videos needs a book deal.

[Cosette · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the "big book" I use to lean on when I write in bed, so I read a bit everytime I used it. It's pretty funny in places, definitely felt like his editors made him shove in some of the other LBTQ+ identities beyond gay men because there's sooooo much about gay men but whatevs. It's fun for what it is, and it was a gift so I will continue to appreciate it for its ability to be my lap desk

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's pretty funny!! My only complaint is it focuses on gay men a lot more than other queer people, but that's how his tiktok series was too. Overall very entertaining!

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspired by Rob's viral video series, this textbook mixes humor and science concepts to explain LGBTQ+ phenomena. The referenced pop culture figures and attitudes toward gay culture suggest a target demographic of millennial gay men (though some effort has been made to include entries for other LGBTQ+ parties). He has included something to amuse and (playfully) offend everyone.

[Mitchell Clifford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was COMPLETE nonsense, which is why it took so long to read, but quite funny. It definitely fits to the medium of a coffee table book well. It provides great laughs, but not encourage anyone to read critically in any capacity cover to cover.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do youtuber comedians deserve book deals? I can’t answer that question, but I can say that this was cute in a ‘sharp exhale out of my nose’ sort of way.

[Noel Young · Rating 1 out of 5]

You know what cringy family member who won’t shut up and thinks they are hilarious and everyone else just awkwardly laughs along? And it goes on and on and on and on….

That’s this book. It’s full of stupid stereotypes, and never ends. It would have been amusing as a short booklet, but the never ending cockiness while saying literally nothing was like nails on a chalkboard. No science in the book. I was hoping it was going to be a learning experience and instead it’s annoying. I got about halfway through the book before deciding that doing literally anything other than reading this book would be a better use of my time. I’ve really been enjoying watching paint dry. I’m mad that I wasted Libby hold space for this book that’s less valuable than toilet paper during Covid. Did not finish. Do not start.

[Dsweene2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprised at how much like a text book it actually is! Not just a gimmick, this is the real deal. If only we had it in middle school!

[Addison Boozer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun, very silly. I was truly called out by its definitions of Golden Retriever Lesbian and Game Night Lesbian. According to the personality test included, I’m a Miranda ENDF: “They have a high standard for friendship, but once they trust you, you’re in. Very good at spotting red flags.”

Also, Lucille Bluth appearing in Acknowledgments is perfect.

[Julie Grubb]

Thank you to @goodreads for this giveaway!
This was such a funny, entertaining read. I don't identity as LGBTQ, so some of the jokes went over my head! I did learn some things though! & But, I loved the format and think it is such a visually appealing book. Don't pick this up if you're looking for nonfiction, even though it is laid out in a true textbook format.
@heartthrobanderson is truly funny and I know this book will be enjoyed by many people!
Book 78/150 for 2024

[Daniel Hardy · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you're looking for a lGbt+ humor book written overwhelmingly about cis gay male culture this is probably your book.

If you want one that has any clarity between when it's making a joke presented as an absolutely true fact vs an actual absolutely true fact, one that has more than a single page on intersex folks, a handful for bi/pan/poly folks, or even any indexing of the few paragraphs it devotes to trans folks, you won't find it here.

If you find jokes about sexual assault in poor taste (listed under "sex crimes": suggesting sex without a condom), don't prefer to be identified under the "gay" umbrella as a LGT+ individual (the author uses this term interchangeably with LGBT+, regularly, but not exclusively - so sometimes it means only gay men, and other times it's clearly inclusive of every queer identity) or feel confused when someone uses "straight" to mean "cisgender and heterosexual," you'll have issues with this book.

I recognize that most of my issues with this book are related to my autism - I don't like things in general that say "this (lie) is 100% true" (which the author does repeatedly), especially when it's echoing offensive stereotypes about my community. Yes, there's a disclaimer at the front of the book. The disclaimer says something like "this is satire. I didn't make these queer stereotypes, bigots did, and we're gonna have fun with that. " I've always heard that satire has to punch up not down, and this book often fails to make that distinction. It doesn't turn from hate to satire by repeating an absurd hateful claim without criticism.

The thing that makes this book so frustrating is that it actually contains a lot of actual facts. But the formatting doesn't make it clear when we're joking and when we're actually trying to educate. It's what makes the 'joke' facts based in stereotypes the more harmful, especially when the author repeatedly uses the same kind of language to both jokingly and earnestly certify that these statements are totally true.

I wouldn't generally recommend this book, but I also don't have a lot of cis gay men friends.

[Miss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have this in hardcover and it is instantly one of my favorites ever. The second I opened the cover, I saw the "library" record card and was ridiculously delighted. I laughed out loud way too much and I'll need to read over this a thousand times to get all the little jokes and details. It's not perfect. I do see cringe and dated elements already and agree with others that it is very gay focused rather than being a full exploration of our whole community- the Fig Newton joke was a wasted opportunity to acknowledge how Sir Isaac Newton is an asexual icon for people like me.

I'm not mad at that bias, though, because it's coming from a gay comedian basically doing a parody or satirical version of a school textbook. My expectations would be much higher if it was a doctor or someone in an academic field actually trying to write something like this. Serious books like that exist that cover so much of the community in ways to help young people recognize where they might be in gender or sexuality terms. Some of those texts are dry and unrelatable like real school books, but there are those written with charm and humor to draw in readers of all ages. This book isn't trying to be that, I don't think, but if it helps anyone find themselves or correct how they see or treat others, then I am a fan!

I had so much fun with this. It is honestly just such a nostalgic experience because it's 100% like schoolbooks that I vividly remember having to wrap in brown paper on the first day of school to "protect" it from damage and, if the same cover makes it to the end of the school year, it'll be doodled to every edge from being bored in class. I'm far too long removed from school to know if any of that is still a thing, but I just loved how this took me there. The text and visuals are also laid out just like books that I remember- most specifically my 7th grade social studies book circa 1993.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

The science is gay, but not exactly a rainbow.

Gay Science by Rob Anderson is the kind of book that feels like it was tailor-made for TikTok gays with a PhD in astrology and a minor in brunch. It’s a humorous, VERY niche exploration of gay culture, part memoir, part social study, and part "please don’t make me self-reflect about my dating choices."

Key Findings from Anderson’s Research Lab:
- In-depth studies on "gay math", where drama multiplies exponentially, trauma adds up quickly, and no matter how hard you divide, everyone still ends up in Fire Island group chats.
- He nails the struggle of being “gay single in your 20s” like it’s a science experiment, with variables including “unavailable men” and “oversharing on the first date.”
- An impressive breakdown of "gay astrology" that’s shockingly accurate. Spoiler: Leos do, in fact, have a monopoly on chaos.
- A deep dive into "gay rites of passage", like the coming-of-age circuit party, the first post-breakup blackout, and your inevitable existential crisis during brunch.
- Anderson’s comic observations make you feel seen—if you’re a white, city-dwelling gay man with a thing for iced coffee.

While Anderson absolutely captures the quirky specifics of gay culture with wit and sharpness, it does feel pretty focused on the gay WHITE experience. I couldn’t help but think that adding more queer BIPOC perspectives would have made the science actually reflect a full spectrum. But for what it covers, Gay Science is a funny, lighthearted read that turns self-analysis into a (slightly sassy) lab experiment.

In summary: It’s a hilarious science of gays, but maybe it’s time for a bigger lab. 🌈

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

For more bookish opinions, visit my blog: Craft-Cycle

Delightfully witty with plenty of puns and word play. Quite clever. I love that the concepts are actually based on scientific ideas. Great for those who enjoy a blend of science, humor, and queer culture.

Formatted as an actual textbook, this satirical book provides humor and social commentary on a variety of topics. Includes humorous takes on different fields from biology to botany, linguistics to engineering. It focuses mainly on gay men and lesbians, but also includes small sections on trans, pansexual, aromantic, and nonbinary identities. It makes fun of stereotypes while also calling out bigoted views. I especially liked the section on pronoun use.

Full-color graphics are used throughout the book including diagrams, charts, tables, and photos. I usually hate when books rely on stock photos, but Anderson incorporates them into the text well, adding humorous captions that make them part of the joke. The photoshoots with Anderson himself are also hilarious.

Wasn't sure what to expect from this, but it was actually a really cool book. Fun, clever read that takes on queer stereotypes with good humor.

[Benjamin Bookman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the concept, I love the graphics, I love the humorous take. However, I have a really hard time with the narrowness of the focus/audience. I get that the use of stereotype IS the humor here. But some of those "jokes" feel dangerously exclusive. It represents the experiences of well-off, white, gay men who enjoy partying. The number of pages that suppose universal drug use is insane, and the complete lack of any diversity is very telling. Again, the idea behind the book is really fun, and I get it - it is speaking to a specific type of gay man. But for a book that already has a very narrow audience of LGBTQ+ members, to then go out of the way to exclude all the rest of that subset of people just feels like a missed moment. I smiled a few times flipping through, but I can't recommend it to anyone since it doesn't represent the experiences of a single real person I have ever met.

[Morgan Witt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything about this book is fabulous.

First, let's address the textbook style setup. Remember that whole thing? A musty textbook you'd have to claim by writing your name among the previous poor souls that were also forced to carry a useless relic around for approximately 9.5 months? With this introduction, the hilarious tone of this book is already in gear. Read the previous poor souls who were *assigned* "this" book, and you'll have a perfect introduction to the author's amazing wit and satire.

I'm still working through the content because I keep laughing so hard that I get distracted 😂 This book is informative, snarky, and just.... E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G!

Rob Anderson is like Bill Nye for the LGBTQIA+ community..... Except, wayyyyy cuter and a billion times funnier.

[Edi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is silly comedy.

It's a book that'll be dated in 5 years, give or take. Jokes are silly but I was giggling here and there. I forgot some I liked but added to my repertoire.

My goal is to make laugh all these guys and cute girls I meet randomly around town.

The book's author is a handsome man. So you'll find his pictures that illustrate some of the jokes. The rest of the images are from elsewhere, properly following copyrights rules from their owners.

The book is helpful if you need someone or something to make your day better.

[Paula Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm seeing Rob Anderson later this year so I figured I'd check out his book. Some of the jokes fell flat, but overall it was pretty entertaining. His content on 90s and 2000s media is still my favorite over his Gay Science content. I was hoping it would be more balanced over all kinds of queer people, but it was more focused on gay men, which makes sense since he is a gay man so he would know the most about that. That being said, I found it hard to relate to a lot of the content in the book as a queer person. But I'm still super excited to see him live!

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Content Creator and author Rob Anderson gives us a science lesson in all things LGBTQ+ and smashes stereotypes, history, culture and myths about the Queer community.
Playing it with humor, Anderson brings a fresh positive take to answering questions about topics relevant to LGBTQ+ inquiries.
The book is structured like a Science textbook, but it is packed full of Rob's own unique "scientific" approach to things.

A fun look into Queer culture!

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hilarious textbook diving into gay science and answering questions that have plagued scientists for decades, like "why do gay men color their hair in a crisis?" and explaining "plant gays." Lots of great graphs, charts, and infographics help to tell why Dolly Parton is the powerhouse of the gay cell and the range of the gay audio spectrum. The book doesn't overstay its welcome, and ends just as the schtick starts to get played out.

[Thomas M.Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. Hilarious and educational. Excellent read and good pictures. What started for this author as a collection of online skits poking fun at Gay Stereotypes and life in general has blossomed into a great book! I couldn’t put it down.
Highly recommend this to everyone. Go read it. You’ll love it!

[Craig Shipley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aside from the hysterical comedy inside, the book itself is visually the cutest thing ever. The design and overall presentation is very impressive and fun. A perfect coffee table book that will insight fun conversations and laughing. On top of all that, the comedic tidbits inside are hysterical and creative. You can tell a lot of time and detail went into this.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so surprised that this is actually formatted like a real textbook from my middle and high school days! As a straight woman, I still found this book amusing and funny. It focuses a lot on just gay men culture vs the subtitle of the book “LGBTQ+ culture.” Some of the jokes don’t land for me, but I feel the audience is for people who identify in the LGBTQ community.

[The Leppy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably more of a 3.75stars but I had fun. This is 100% a book you buy for the super shiny cover. Stick on your coffee table and pickup while high as hell so you can laugh-cry after a few pages before returning it to the coffee table for next time. This is a good thing. It's not a book to binge read cover to cover. Savor this precious book a few pages at a time.

[Mimi Amein · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was super funny—far more than I anticipated. I was genuinely surprised by the ease and smoothness with which the humour carried the narrative. I was surprised by how much I could relate to it as a straight woman.

It is one of the best—and certainly one of the funniest—books I have read.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

So funny and insightful, exactly what you would expect from Rob Anderson

The book is also visually stunning with gorgeous colours and meticulous attention to detail. It is sure to brighten up any coffee table or bookshelf

[Katie Gainey-West · Rating 5 out of 5]

I already thought Rob Anderson was hysterical but now I like him even more. I thought this book was extremely clever and I laughed out loud the entire time. If you need anything to cheer you up or make you forget it’s an election year, this is the book for you!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Rob’s comedy, so I knew I wanted to read this. This book is so funny and creative. I think I laughed at almost every single sentence and I love all the charts and illustrations for this “textbook”.

[Erikka · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great book to ring out pride month. This fake textbook is absolutely hilarious, has running jokes that were extremely clever, and was hella gay in every way. It will immediately be banned, which means there’s never a better time to read it!

[Ali Thomson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received a free copy in a GoodReads giveaway and was so excited it get it! I love the format of the book. Having it laid out like a textbook is such a fun and creative way to present everything. A lot of this was hilarious and I actually learned a lot. Definitely recommend this!