A Little Gay Natural History

by Josh Davis

Science meets sexuality in this eye-opening tribute to the natural world, from same-sex penguin couples to the fluid sexual expression of Dungowan bush tomatoes

Magnificently illustrated and thoroughly delightful, A Little Gay Natural History explores the incredible spectrum of sexual diversity in the animal and plant kingdoms, including profiles



Same-sex penguin couples were observed by scientists as early as 1911, but the information was not deemed acceptable for public understanding and those observations weren’t publicized for almost 100 years. A Little Gay Natural History recontextualizes same-sex behavior and courtship in animals to reveal how truly common it is across species despite a long history of scientists dismissing or hiding the knowledge. Featuring specimens and objects from the Natural History Museum, London, the book also explores the fascinating reproductive morphology of plants and the complex relationship between genes and environment.

Well-researched, surprising, and comprehensive, A Little Gay Natural History challenges assumptions and redefines our understanding of the natural world.

Genres: Nonfiction, LGBT

128 pages, Paperback

Expected publication January 2, 2079

Reviews

[Shriya Uday · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it. It's got a really good selection of case studies, containing stuff that an ecologist like myself is now going to go look more into as well as approachable enough to the general public. It also does a good job of emphasizing how studying gender and sexuality in animals has and continues to be tied to morality.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leuk en toegankelijk geschreven boek dat veel inzicht geeft in waarom het argument "homoseksualiteit is onnatuurlijk" nergens op slaat. Allerlei diersoorten worden onderzocht, van dolfijnen tot mosmijten. En qua seksuele diversiteit lopen de verhalen uiteen van homoseksuele koppels tot mannetjes en vrouwtjes met 'omgekeerde' geslachten. Erg interessant én leuk!

[The Bookish Chimera - Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Little Gay Natural History was a short and quick read. This short form is both its best strength and worst weakness. Indeed, it makes it easy to grab, easy to read, and to be held by as many people as possible. But with this format, it’s also doom to be a bit too superficial, and consequently frustrating. In regard, I appreciated the extended bibliography at the end of the book, which I will happily compulse in the future.
Using concrete examples, the author shows that queerness isn’t as rare in nature as many would want to believe. Would it change beliefs? With our very anthropocentrics behaviours and ways of thinking, I have doubts. But at least this short book exists and shows us a large diversity in Nature, which is a (great) first step. I also love that the author took the time to bring some science notions back, to educate on different and varied layers.

[Callista · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredibly interesting book. In just 121 pages, Josh Davis shows us the amazing diversity in nature when it comes to sexual behaviour, sex and gender, as well as the way scientists through the ages dealt with it (often, that meant suppressing mention of what they called 'deviant' sexual behaviours, or interpreting behaviour between two males as 'dominance' and the same behaviour between a male and a female as 'sexual'). The book calls into question the (intentionally or otherwise) moralistic way we interpret and write about nature in a way that really makes you think. I would recommend this book to everyone!

[Connor Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely brilliant book - it delves into a really divisive subject (even amongst the LGBTQI+ community) with sensitivity and presents an incredibly interesting picture of the diversity of ways in which queerness can be seen in nature. The writing style is funny and compassionate and you can tell each section is meticulously researched - I think it's a book I'll be coming back to for references very often! Fantastic work!

[Alfredo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is a wonderful look at just how wildly different nature does sex, sexuality, reproduction and mating. Brilliantly explained and filled to the brim with the wonders of animals, plants, and fungi!

[Rhia · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a queer animal management graduate, this was everything and more. I can't wait to do a deep dive into every single one of these animals.

[Rikard Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, letlæselig og lærerig.

[Lori Palen · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the whole, really informative and interesting! (Just got a little repetitive and dry in some places.)

[Cally Nixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small but super interesting.

[Sigurður Pálsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating read. A lot of this should really be taught in school.