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A review by telltalepage
Life Isn't Binary: On Being Both, Beyond, and In-Between by Meg-John Barker, Alex Iantaffi
5.0
While I am not nonbinary, I have found myself surrounded by many people who are important to me and who are nonbinary or who don't fit into gender norms. As a way to make sure I'm not treating these people as textbooks, I've been trying to find books and resources to read to become familiar with life experiences of people who fall under the trans umbrella. This book in particular was very helpful in the informative way of offering information, self-care and personal experiences. I learned a lot of ways I can help and support the people around me with new outlooks on life and gender expression and experiences and tools to keep in mind as well. I know that no one life is the same and everyone will be experiencing their gender differently but I'm thankful to find books like these that give me (a cis but also queer person) an insight into identities I cannot personally relate to so I can better understand and support the people in my life.
The introduction of this book said that it was written for people who were figuring out their nonbinary (or gender nonconforming) identities, but I feel like as a cis ally, this was a very well written and helpful book for me to read as well. I encourage anyone who is interested in supporting trans-umbrella folks to also take a look at this: it might surprise you how much you'll learn.
I also think this goes far and beyond gender identity in the way it talks about all sorts of binary pairs in the society we live in. For example, the Emotions chapter (rational/emotional) really spoke to me on a personal level and paired nicely with my current therapy experiences and tools and what I've been working through over the last two years. I feel like this book is really great for anyone who wants to break out of society’s binary structure to try to approach life differently and with more compassion and understanding.
The introduction of this book said that it was written for people who were figuring out their nonbinary (or gender nonconforming) identities, but I feel like as a cis ally, this was a very well written and helpful book for me to read as well. I encourage anyone who is interested in supporting trans-umbrella folks to also take a look at this: it might surprise you how much you'll learn.
I also think this goes far and beyond gender identity in the way it talks about all sorts of binary pairs in the society we live in. For example, the Emotions chapter (rational/emotional) really spoke to me on a personal level and paired nicely with my current therapy experiences and tools and what I've been working through over the last two years. I feel like this book is really great for anyone who wants to break out of society’s binary structure to try to approach life differently and with more compassion and understanding.