Raincoast Books
Available: 03/05/04
5 1/2 x 8 1/4 · 256 pages
978-1-55192-681-0
CDN $24.95 · pb

Canadian Title

The Sexual Spectrum

Exploring Human Diversity

Olive Skene Johnson, PhD

Questions of sexuality and gender are in the forefront of public discourse. Every day there are stories in the newspaper about such issues as same-sex marriage, and gay and lesbian parenting. This fascinating book explores the myriad influences that shape human gender and sexuality. Drawing on the scientific findings of experts and on a wide range of personal experiences from everyday people, Johnson explores questions such as: Is sexual diversity new? Why do men and women think differently? Apart from their sexuality, are homosexuals and heterosexuals different? Why do some people feel compelled to change their gender? How do genes, hormones and society affect our sexuality?

Answering these and related questions in a rational and entertaining way, Johnson provides a wealth of information about our own sexuality and asserts that only familiarity with the concept of sexual diversity will breed tolerance and understanding.

“Lucid and methodical, this timely and reassuring book casts an eloquent light on a complex aspect of human experience that's still often relegated to dark corners; surprisingly so, given that we live in a sex-saturated society. Olive Skene Johnson takes a steady, even-handed approach to her examination of why sexuality is so gloriously polychromatic, and presents these variations as a logical, inevitable and morally neutral aspect of what it is to be human: man or woman, gay or straight, or standing contentedly on any of the many intermediary rungs.” —Bill Richardson

Olive Skene Johnson, PhD, is a retired neuropsychologist. Her writing has appeared in McCall’s, Maclean’s and Chatelaine. She lives in Vancouver.