A review by moonyreadsbystarlight
GenderQueer: Voices From Beyond the Sexual Binary, by Joan Nestle, Riki Wilchins, Clare Howell, Susan Wright, Silvia Rivera, Gina Reiss
challenging
4.75
This is a republication of a groundbreaking anthology, originally published in 2002. I cannot understate just how valuable this collection is. This book shows so many experiences of people transgress or transcend gender, whether it is because they are trans, genderqueer, intersex, preforming gender in a variety of ways, or queering gender through sexuality. And I think it is all tied together most excellently by Riki Wilchin's final essay which is strikingly relevant, even as some of the vocabulary has changed. That essay was among my favorites, as well as Sylvia Rivera's near the beginning.
Definitely check out the CWs. This is not all fun and comfortable - this is reality. While some fun was definitely had with some of these essay, the bulk of this is unpacking trauma (trauma dealt clearly and directly to people and the trauma of being forced to live in a framework that erases you). These authors were incredibly vulnerable and strong in sharing what was in these pages. An knowing these perspectives adds, not just to our understanding of gender, but how gender liberation has to address what true justice and freedom can look like (and how different it can be for each person).
Over all, I think that if you go into this collection, you should be aware of its age and the intensity of some of its contents. If you are very new to LGBTQ issues, I don't think this is the best starting point. However, if you aren't brand new, this is goes into some really essential concepts concerning queer liberation and absolutely needs to be read.
I was given an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Definitely check out the CWs. This is not all fun and comfortable - this is reality. While some fun was definitely had with some of these essay, the bulk of this is unpacking trauma (trauma dealt clearly and directly to people and the trauma of being forced to live in a framework that erases you). These authors were incredibly vulnerable and strong in sharing what was in these pages. An knowing these perspectives adds, not just to our understanding of gender, but how gender liberation has to address what true justice and freedom can look like (and how different it can be for each person).
Over all, I think that if you go into this collection, you should be aware of its age and the intensity of some of its contents. If you are very new to LGBTQ issues, I don't think this is the best starting point. However, if you aren't brand new, this is goes into some really essential concepts concerning queer liberation and absolutely needs to be read.
I was given an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Moderate: Sexual assault and Child abuse
One specific story had the child abuse and incest TW