A valuable, no-holds-barred resource on gender and sexuality.
A mother and her teen explore sexuality-related issues inspired by anonymous questions submitted to Normalizers, their nonprofit for autistic and LGBTQ+ youth.
Most of the content is written by mom Monica, an educator and psychologist who peppers in her own experiences, including those related to her Indian cultural heritage. Nonbinary lesbian teen Asha contributes anecdotes, some culled from comments on the Normalizers’ social media accounts, and, in a letter to readers, offers clear context for the book: How we understand and talk about sexuality and gender are continually changing. The work’s greatest strength is the clear, comprehensive discussion of current terms; even as specific language evolves, the open-minded and matter-of-fact definitions presented here will provide a good basis for understanding. The chapters on puberty, sexual activity (including safer sex and consent), and relationships give readers accurate information in relatable language. Other subjects covered are how to masturbate and the safe use of chest binders and sex toys. The chapters focusing on gender, sexuality, and issues specific to the LGBTQ+ community and their allies are somewhat dense but have an accepting and reassuring tone. Notable throughout the book are the use of inclusive language, the careful attention paid to being transgender or nonbinary, and the exploration of how sexuality and gender intersect with having autism. Line drawings illustrate the text sparingly. Each chapter ends with a Q&A drawn from real teens’ questions.
A valuable, no-holds-barred resource on gender and sexuality. (glossary, resources, index) (Nonfiction. 14-18)Pub Date: May 18, 2023
ISBN: 9781839973550
Page Count: 208
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Review Posted Online: April 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2023
Small but mighty necessary reading.
A miniature manifesto for radical queer acceptance that weaves together the personal and political.
Eli, a cis gay white Jewish man, uses his own identities and experiences to frame and acknowledge his perspective. In the prologue, Eli compares the global Jewish community to the global queer community, noting, “We don’t always get it right, but the importance of showing up for other Jews has been carved into the DNA of what it means to be Jewish. It is my dream that queer people develop the same ideology—what I like to call a Global Queer Conscience.” He details his own isolating experiences as a queer adolescent in an Orthodox Jewish community and reflects on how he and so many others would have benefitted from a robust and supportive queer community. The rest of the book outlines 10 principles based on the belief that an expectation of mutual care and concern across various other dimensions of identity can be integrated into queer community values. Eli’s prose is clear, straightforward, and powerful. While he makes some choices that may be divisive—for example, using the initialism LGBTQIAA+ which includes “ally”—he always makes clear those are his personal choices and that the language is ever evolving.
Small but mighty necessary reading. (resources) (Nonfiction. 14-18)Pub Date: June 2, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-593-09368-9
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: March 28, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2020
Though not the most balanced, an enlightening look back for the queer future.
An adaptation for teens of the adult title A Queer History of the United States (2011).
Divided into thematic sections, the text filters LGBTQIA+ history through key figures in each era from the 1500s to the present. Alongside watershed moments like the 1969 Stonewall uprising and the HIV/AIDS crisis of the 1980s and 1990s, the text brings to light less well-known people, places, and events: the 1625 free love colony of Merrymount, transgender Civil War hero Albert D.J. Cashier, and the 1951 founding of the Mattachine Society, to name a few. Throughout, the author and adapter take care to use accurate pronouns and avoid imposing contemporary terminology onto historical figures. In some cases, they quote primary sources to speculate about same-sex relationships while also reminding readers of past cultural differences in expressing strong affection between friends. Black-and-white illustrations or photos augment each chapter. Though it lacks the teen appeal and personable, conversational style of Sarah Prager’s Queer, There, and Everywhere (2017), this textbook-level survey contains a surprising amount of depth. However, the mention of transgender movements and activism—in particular, contemporary issues—runs on the slim side. Whereas chapters are devoted to over 30 ethnically diverse gay, lesbian, bisexual, or queer figures, some trans pioneers such as Christine Jorgensen and Holly Woodlawn are reduced to short sidebars.
Though not the most balanced, an enlightening look back for the queer future. (glossary, photo credits, bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 14-18)Pub Date: June 11, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-8070-5612-7
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Beacon Press
Review Posted Online: March 12, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
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