A review of biology professor Nathan Lents' book, 'The Sexual Evolution,' which explores the diverse and experimental nature of sexual adaptation in the animal world, from gay penguins to clownfish gender transitions. The book argues that biology supports a fluid view of sexuality, contrasting with rigid human categories, and highlights the societal backlash against evolving sexual norms, including book bannings.
The Sexual Evolution by Nathan H Lents review – colourful tales of animal reproduction
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A review of biology professor Nathan Lents' book, 'The Sexual Evolution,' which explores the diverse and experimental nature of sexual adaptation in the animal world, from gay penguins to clownfish gender transitions. The book argues that biology supports a fluid view of sexuality, contrasting with rigid human categories, and highlights the societal backlash against evolving sexual norms, including book bannings.
Trending- 1 1998: Roy and Silo, male chinstrap penguins at Central Park Zoo, incubated an abandoned egg, which hatched Tango.
- 2 Story became a viral sensation and subject of the LGBTQ-friendly children's book 'And Tango Makes Three'.
- 3 Present day (2025): 'And Tango Makes Three' tops Pen America's list of most banned picture books in the US.
- 4 Book was part of a high-profile lawsuit in Nassau County, Florida, and designated for pulping in Singapore.
- 5 2025: Nathan Lents' book 'The Sexual Evolution' is published, arguing for biological diversity in sexuality.
- Book banning and censorship efforts (e.g., 'And Tango Makes Three')
- Lawsuits related to book content (e.g., in Nassau County, Florida)
- Societal debate and 'sexual turmoil' regarding gender identity and sexual expression
- Perpetuation of sexism in biological sciences due to human biases
What: A review of Nathan Lents' book 'The Sexual Evolution,' which examines sexual diversity in the animal kingdom and its implications for human sexual norms, highlighting examples like gay penguins and gender-changing clownfish, and noting the societal backlash against evolving sexual identities.
When: Published June 11, 2025. The book discusses events from 1998 (Roy and Silo) to the present day (2025, book bannings).
Where: New York (Central Park Zoo), Florida (Nassau County), Singapore, Hawaii (Laysan albatrosses), and the animal world globally.
Why: To review Nathan Lents' book and present its argument that biological evolution supports a diverse and fluid understanding of sexuality, challenging rigid human categories, and to comment on the current 'sexual turmoil' and backlash in human society.
How: Through a book review that summarizes key arguments and examples from the book, such as the story of Roy and Silo, and discusses the book's relevance to contemporary debates on gender identity, sexual expression, and book banning.