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A review by venus_reads_
Gender Is Really Strange by Teddy G. Goetz
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
“Trans or cis, we are all on gender journeys… and all gender journeys are valid.”
Very well said!!
I would totally recommend this to all audiences for its spectacular & highly informative writing on gender identity. So much amazing research was obviously put into this — something I applaud greatly — especially when looking at gender expression in different cultures. With its simple but pleasing graphic art style, the delivery of information is nicely arranged and digestible.
As someone who believes themselves to be very well-informed about the complexities of gender, I still got lots out of this. I would also recommend this to people who may not be as well informed about this topic and prefer looking at things with a heavy focus on excellent research & scientific information, rather than more personal & anecdotal evidence. (Both are obviously wonderful to use in the right ways of course! I just know some have personal preferences when it comes to nonfiction writing.) I believe this book accurately explains concepts in a way which is understandable even if you weren't to have much prior knowledge. Frequently, it also provides additional recommended readings if interested; a valuable incorporation.
This comic includes information on how gender diversity and non-binary genders are not new things — something super important to remember!! It shows many examples of gender expression in different cultures and how European colonization & westernization are the causes for so many of these identities being erased. I also appreciate how it encourages the reader to conduct their own further research on these diverse identities from people belonging to these specific communities (and others not mentioned) and to support their own arts & writings.
Additionally, I loved the little discussion on how some people are seen as “genetically gifted” and others are seen as “unfair to compete” in sports. The included example of Caster Semenya, a cis black woman who was treated extremely unfairly was highly appreciated, especially in these recent years of growing hate by racist and transphobic people who debate the inclusivity of particular people in sports and obviously know little to nothing about the realities of the topic in hand.
The point on how gendered expectations are social constructs, just like how gender itself is a social construct was awesome. It includes a good dozen of questions for readers to start actively exploring & questioning their own gender which is cool. As someone who is cis, I believe it’s important and healthy for everyone to occasionally do this, and the fact that the book tells you the first step is to give yourself permission to question your gender identity is phenomenal.
Overall, I’m unbelievably grateful for coming across this informative comic and utterly hope others pick it up as well. It’s fairly short which aids its accessibility and won’t intimidate potential readers. With it being such an inclusive read, I truly believe it’d be an amazing addition in schools and workplaces to spread enlightening & factual information on such an important topic.
Thank you to Jessica Kingsley Publishers and NetGalley for this eARC. All views and opinions are entirely my own.
I would totally recommend this to all audiences for its spectacular & highly informative writing on gender identity. So much amazing research was obviously put into this — something I applaud greatly — especially when looking at gender expression in different cultures. With its simple but pleasing graphic art style, the delivery of information is nicely arranged and digestible.
As someone who believes themselves to be very well-informed about the complexities of gender, I still got lots out of this. I would also recommend this to people who may not be as well informed about this topic and prefer looking at things with a heavy focus on excellent research & scientific information, rather than more personal & anecdotal evidence. (Both are obviously wonderful to use in the right ways of course! I just know some have personal preferences when it comes to nonfiction writing.) I believe this book accurately explains concepts in a way which is understandable even if you weren't to have much prior knowledge. Frequently, it also provides additional recommended readings if interested; a valuable incorporation.
This comic includes information on how gender diversity and non-binary genders are not new things — something super important to remember!! It shows many examples of gender expression in different cultures and how European colonization & westernization are the causes for so many of these identities being erased. I also appreciate how it encourages the reader to conduct their own further research on these diverse identities from people belonging to these specific communities (and others not mentioned) and to support their own arts & writings.
Additionally, I loved the little discussion on how some people are seen as “genetically gifted” and others are seen as “unfair to compete” in sports. The included example of Caster Semenya, a cis black woman who was treated extremely unfairly was highly appreciated, especially in these recent years of growing hate by racist and transphobic people who debate the inclusivity of particular people in sports and obviously know little to nothing about the realities of the topic in hand.
The point on how gendered expectations are social constructs, just like how gender itself is a social construct was awesome. It includes a good dozen of questions for readers to start actively exploring & questioning their own gender which is cool. As someone who is cis, I believe it’s important and healthy for everyone to occasionally do this, and the fact that the book tells you the first step is to give yourself permission to question your gender identity is phenomenal.
Overall, I’m unbelievably grateful for coming across this informative comic and utterly hope others pick it up as well. It’s fairly short which aids its accessibility and won’t intimidate potential readers. With it being such an inclusive read, I truly believe it’d be an amazing addition in schools and workplaces to spread enlightening & factual information on such an important topic.
Thank you to Jessica Kingsley Publishers and NetGalley for this eARC. All views and opinions are entirely my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Colonisation
Minor: Racism, Transphobia, and Xenophobia