Rob Anderson Debunks Stereotypes with 'Queer Science' (And Makes Us Laugh)

EDGE: Is there one that fascinates you most?

Rob Anderson: I think gay people not being able to sit in a chair properly is so funny to me because it can be true. It's so ridiculous. We're both sitting in chairs right now normally, but then you see examples of how at a party they're all sitting in different ways. It is such a ridiculous stereotype that it's part of every community. Lesbians also say that about themselves. Bisexual people have adopted that as a stereotype. Before I started writing this book, one of the biggest ones I was hearing that we never sit in a chair properly. It's such a ridiculous stereotype that exists for everyone, and I think it's probably the one that fascinates me the most.

EDGE: Which myth or stereotype should everyone know about the queer community?

Rob Anderson: I think that the silliest ones are those that most people should know about because they show how we like to make fun of ourselves. How we don't take ourselves too seriously. I think if people outside of the community just heard a few of these, or if they read through the table of contents and read "The gays don't like slow walkers," or "Lesbians don't like electricity in their movies, because all their movies are from the 1800s," it shows how we like to laugh at ourselves, which contrasts with how serious things are for us and how we are portrayed in the news or media. I think people seem to forget that we have such a great sense of humor.

EDGE: Let's talk about the reclaimed words that you use in the book – "fag" and "dyke." Today, part of the LGBTQ+ community have tried to distance themselves from these words, but you say, "Let's reclaim them."

Rob Anderson: I think both viewpoints are valid. I'm in my mid-thirties, and I was called a fag all the time growing up. I believe people that were called it so often should use the words to take their power back. It's a very simple concept that words don't have the same power when you use them in a casual way. People have trauma around [words like] "fag," "dyke," or "queer," and still find them very hurtful. I acknowledge at the beginning of the book that their experience is valid. I am just letting them know I use these words in the book. You need to be realistic – by using the words, we strip them of the power they held over us when used to demean us.

EDGE: With your upcoming "Gay Science" book tour, what are you most excited about?

Rob Anderson: This isn't the first time I've gone on tour. I had a comedy tour last year, and what I loved most was meeting everyone after. I had little "meet and greets." They were small, but a lot of fun. Now I'm excited to meet everyone who's been a fan of gay science. People have such nice things to say, and, honestly, it's nice to hear nice things about me. It's just a line of people that say, "I love you. I love you." I'll tour the entire country just to hear compliments all day.

EDGE: What would your ultimate science project look like?

Rob Anderson: I think I'd like to have some experiments on straight people. I am fascinated, especially, with straight men. I am intrigued by how many of them use the three-in-one conditioner, body wash, and shampoo. There are so many that I would love to explore and learn more about. I think we need to break down the science of all the stereotypes and myths that straight men supposedly do. I think that would be fascinating.

EDGE: What impact do you hope this book will give to queer people?

Rob Anderson: Touching on what I had mentioned a little earlier, the sense of humor we have in the community is huge. We love to make fun of ourselves. We love to joke about things. We don't take ourselves so seriously. Lately, the political climate has been very aggressive towards queer people, especially with trans people. Our community has become very political, and we have to be. Politics and our rights are very important, but we're fun, and we like to have fun. We throw the best parties, and we have the best conversations. I want this book to show how it can defuse this sort of vitriol that comes with the political stuff. Looking at it, the cover, and the chapters, it immediately comes through as fun. I want everyone to see how much fun we are having as a community, no matter what the circumstances are.

EDGE: Anything upcoming for you?

Rob Anderson: Honestly, right now it's just the book. The book has been my world, and will be my world for quite some time. I am excited to get this in the hands of people, especially during Pride Month. Then we'll see. I would like to go on tour again. I loved doing my comedy tour, and I've been writing a few treatments for shows and movies. So, stay tuned!

"Queer Science" is available on all major internet book sellers, such as Amazon. For more information, follow this link.