Gender & Sexuality For Beginners

by Jaimee Garbacik, Jaimee Garbacik

What does sexual orientation mean if the very categories of gender are in question? How do we measure equality when our society's definitions of "male" and "female" leave out much of the population? There is no consensus on what a "real" man or woman is, where one's sex begins and ends, or what purpose the categories of masculine and feminine traits serve. While significant strides have been made in recent years on behalf of women's, gay and lesbian rights, there is still a large division between the law and day-to-day reality for LGBTQIA and female-identified individuals in American society. The practices, media outlets and institutions that privilege heterosexuality and traditional gender roles as "natural" need a closer examination. Gender & Sexuality For Beginners considers the uses and limitations of biology in defining gender. Questioning gender and sex as both categories and forms of compulsory identification, it critically examines the issues in the historical and contemporary construction, meaning and perpetuation of gender roles. Gender & Sexuality For Beginners interweaves neurobiology, psychology, feminist, queer and trans theory, as well as historical gay and lesbian activism to offer new perspectives on gender inequality, ultimately pointing to the clear inadequacy of gender categories and the ways in which the sex-gender system oppresses us all.

Genres: Nonfiction, LGBT, Psychology, Gender Studies, Feminism, Gender and Sexuality, Sexuality

224 pages, Paperback

First published June 11, 2013

About the author

Jaimee Garbacik is a writer, book editor, artist, and the owner and founder of Footnote Editorial. She has been privileged to edit for New York Times bestselling authors, Caldecott Honor and Emmy Award recipients, and some of the world’s foremost scientists.

Jaimee is the author of Gender and Sexuality For Beginners (For Beginners, illus. by Jeffrey Lewis), a critical examination of the sex-gender system and the evolution of gender roles, currently on curricula at more than a dozen universities. She is also the curator and editor of Ghosts of Seattle Past (Chin Music Press), an anthology of essays, art, comix, photography, interviews, and maps commemorating places in Seattle lost to rapid development.

A former programming chair of The Vera Project, when not writing and editing, she spray paints on found windows, advocates for youth equity, and guest lectures.

Reviews

[EJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was assigned reading for a class, and I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It’s refreshingly up to date on its information and feels very much on the pulse of queer identities, feminist politics, and the current climate of these spaces. I typically expect print materials on these subjects to lag behind—but this one felt both modern and aware. It was mindful, intersectional, and even touches on identities that are frequently erased in the queer community, such as asexuality. I was pleasantly surprised to see such topics mentioned—and even their erasure in mainstream movements noted—when I mostly just expect that same erasure to be perpetuated.

That said, I don’t feel this book told me anything that I didn’t already know. If you’re someone who keeps up with feminism and queer theory, you’re not going to get anything new from this. There’s a good overview of sexuality, gender identity, and a basic discussion of how gender is assigned and performed. There’s a brief but comprehensive history of the feminist movement and some good discussion. But again, the “For Beginners” in the title should be taken seriously. If you feel you know all this already and want to go deeper, then this book will be a little too basic for you. If you’re truly looking for a good introduction to these topics, however, this is a thoughtful, comprehensive, and easy place to start.

[mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I originally read the first chapter of this book as part of the assigned reading list of a gender studies course I took last semester. I ended up enjoying it so much that I purchased the entire volume for my own personal reading. Even though I consider myself rather well-versed when it comes to topics such as gender and sexuality, I still found this book very informative and well-written. I especially enjoyed the great amount of historical knowledge the author decided to include. I will definitely check out other books from the For Beginners series.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starts from 1st wave feminism, and goes all the way up to issues faced by the trans community and other members of the LGBTQ+ movement up to 2013. Obviously it doesn’t go further than that due to being published in 2013. A great place for beginners, obviously. Easily approachable, the cartoon style of parts was a nice relief at times in between the large dumps of information.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid overview of gender & sexuality, written in accessible language.

I like the choice of structured chapters which are in a sensible order which kinda act like building blocks to guide from the basics (the biology of sex & gender) onto more complex topics (queer theory).

I found it super thought-provoking and a great launchpad so I can do deeper dives into more specific topics/issues.

[Math Erao · Rating 3 out of 5]

nothing i didn’t already know as a queer and trans person, and it’s badly in need of a new edition, but would recommend this to cis and/or straight people as a good primer on gender and sexuality (which i guess is right there in the title)

[arireadsthings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great intro to gender and sexuality

[Radiolab]

Radiolab asked listeners for their sex ed recommendations.

Alison, a Radiolab listener, says, "It discusses sexuality and gender in a wider view than is usually taught in schools."

[Joshua Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Publisher's Weekly's review said it very well... "Garbacik's effort... targets young people and maintains an awareness of the intersectionality of identities and politics. The result is an articulate tour through diverse histories, addressing both popular and obscure texts from across the world, and in a variety of general and academic disciplines. The few paragraphs that authors receive in the spotlight are accompanied by level-headed analyses by Garbacik, building toward a conclusion that argues for a widely progressive political agenda."

Level-headed indeed. Whether or not you are struggling with how you yourself identify, or perhaps your children, parents, friends, lovers..., this book arms you with real facts and powerful fundamental knowledge on a topic that is laden with difficult emotions and complex politics.

Highly recommended for everyone.

[Jill Dee]

Very good read. Tough to follow at times because of very specific biological wording and philosophical thoughts, but if you take the time to stop and think about what you just read, you see the points. Well worth a second and third reading I'm sure, but I will have to do so after I read a few other books, then come back to it with fresh eyes that maybe have a little more understanding behind them. I think it's a must-read for not only those that are actually interested in learning a little more about the LGBTQIA community, but for everyone, just to get a slight understanding of something they may not actually understand. It has also started me on my path to find more books on related topics, and I plan on hitting up my closest library right away!

[willowdog · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like these "for beginners" books. However, they lack an essential feature--an index. Thoughtful bibliography and resources are included. Found that even the for beginners the text was a work that is hard to read and comprehend. Interesting

[Susan John · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping for some big revelations or something, but it was pretty basic. And expensive. And short. I guess it would be okay if you're knowledge of gender went no further than "female and male".