IT'S TOTALLY NORMAL!

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.