Sex, science, and the politics of uncertainty

Historically, feminist and queer political thought has been suspicious of scientific authority, particularly ideas concerning what it means to be a man or woman, straight or queer, cis or trans. Feminist thinkers have long pit biology and culture against one another, while queer theory critics of “born this way” LGBTQ+ identity claims have examined the epistemological and political problems that attend such bioessentialist articulations of personhood. Conversely, scholars of LGBTQ+ history and reproductive rights have documented how political victories for sexual and gender minorities have been assisted by scientific authorities. This chapter situates these theoretical and political tensions within contemporary developments in the “politics of uncertainty,” which characterizes organized right-wing efforts to undo minority rights victories by undermining scientific expertise and its policy relevance. The conclusion offers a pragmatic approach that preserves a critique of science while defending against ongoing assaults on science, civil rights, and personhood.