Picture it: A late 30-something lazes upon a hammock one early-November afternoon, reading a copy of Juno Dawson's This Book is Gay. They approach a section on non-binary gender identity and face a sudden epiphany, one of many that took place over the course of a few short weeks. They run inside and excitedly share their revelation with their husband: "I think I'm non-binary, my name is Jae, and my pronouns are they/them."
That person was me, and I came to this realization after undergoing a major surgery that essentially served as a reset button on nearly every facet of my life.
One of many books being challenged by fundamentalist Karens and Chads, This Book is Gay deserves to be in circulation in every school and public library throughout the country. The very fact that this book has been banned from several institutions tells you all you need to know: It can help save lives, prevent LGBTQ+ youth from enduring years of agony and trauma, and guide parents toward better understand their children.
I approached This Book is Gay from the perspective of somebody who is in their teenage years, who is questioning their sexuality and identity, and who is not out to family or friends. On that front, this guidebook succeeds in spades. While Dawson notes that this version of the book has undergone significant revisions to become more inclusive and to reflect changes to society since its original publication in 2014, I think she, for the most part, beautifully navigates the complex topics discussed within, demystifying them and making them seem common and approachable - so they can be discussed calmly and rationally.
"We have to be able to talk about sexuality and identity in a nonhysterical way."
-Juno Dawson, This Book is Gay (page 5)
That being said, even with updates some of the book's concepts are a little dated (just like gender and sexuality are fluid, so to are the concepts surrounding it), so it's important to approach it from that perspective. Still, I absolutely would have loved to have had access to this book as a teenager. Although it wouldn't have aided me with the coming out process (my parents are deeply, irrevocably homophobic and nothing can or will ever change that), it would have at least helped me sort things out internally, potentially avoid the being trapped by internalized homophobia (especially where stereotypes are concerned), and gain a little peace of mind until I could safely come out without the pervasive worry of being kicked to the curb.
Whoever you are and wherever you are in life's journey, take a few days to read this book or recommend/gift it to somebody who you feel is struggling with or questioning their gender identity or sexuality. Guaranteed, it will help them better understand themselves.
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