What do you think?
Rate this book
The Gender Book
Hi, my name is Boston.
I'll be your guide as we explore gender.
We looked for a 101 book and didn't see one yet. So we set out to make our own.
the GENDER book is a fun, colorful, community-based resource, which illustrates the beautiful diversity of gender - a gender 101 for anyone and everyone.
I'll be your guide as we explore gender.
We looked for a 101 book and didn't see one yet. So we set out to make our own.
the GENDER book is a fun, colorful, community-based resource, which illustrates the beautiful diversity of gender - a gender 101 for anyone and everyone.
85 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
3 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 7, 2018
Wow.
As a cis-gender woman who prior to the last few years has not given a ton of thought (some, but not a lot), to gender and gender identity this book was really, really helpful. It's like a gender primer for those of us who want to be an ally, and don't really understand what the conversation is, much less how to be helpful. Thank you so much to the authors who put so much time, love, effort, research, thought, and creativity to help explain this topic.
And it's totally kid friendly. I am going to read it with my 6-year old because I want her to understand that gender is not just a binary concept and ALL people are deserving of love and respect.
Highly recommended especially to those who want to be a better ally or for those who would like to help educate the people around them on how to be a better ally.
As a cis-gender woman who prior to the last few years has not given a ton of thought (some, but not a lot), to gender and gender identity this book was really, really helpful. It's like a gender primer for those of us who want to be an ally, and don't really understand what the conversation is, much less how to be helpful. Thank you so much to the authors who put so much time, love, effort, research, thought, and creativity to help explain this topic.
And it's totally kid friendly. I am going to read it with my 6-year old because I want her to understand that gender is not just a binary concept and ALL people are deserving of love and respect.
Highly recommended especially to those who want to be a better ally or for those who would like to help educate the people around them on how to be a better ally.
December 10, 2014
I discovered this book at Zine Fest Houston and immediately bought a hardcover! I absolutely love their vision — bringing awareness and information about gender to everyone — and their presentation. This book is a wonderful resources, full of educational knowledge and personal accounts from over 200 people around the world. It’s fully illustrated and every page is colorful and nicely laid out. I wish I’d had this book years ago, and now I want everyone to have it! Even more awesome? It comes with a 6-page mini booklet that you can cut out, copy, and share with others. I don’t care who you are, you should read this book.
December 1, 2025
The presentation of the book is a hybrid between the X for Dummies and an engaging graphic novel whose amazing story is underestimated by the images. Both of those are excellent strategic choices to introduce a complicated and fraught subject as gender.
Few, I think, will understand everything they read; and those who do can only do so in an intellectual way. Lived experience of gender is what we have, and by portraying different gender identities we can learn from other people -- and, if we are honest, learn more about ourselves. What we can understand is that every individual merits respect as themselves -- and that includes their definition of their gender.
Each entry is of a person and in their own words they describe their experience and/or sense of gender. Beyond that are other statements about favorite hobbies or memories or experience that are not specifically gender-related but do make the person more three-dimensionally real. It also offers the possibility that if I cannot relate to X presentation of gender, I totally share the appreciation of Y thing.
The book does not presume knowledge or awareness though those who bring plenty get something from the experience of reading. Experience is not critical, being open to experience is. The book prepares us to be better people and more supportive of others. Take a common paraphrase of Elizabeth Beatrice Hall in "Friends of Voltaire:" 'I may not agree with what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it' and turn it to the purpose of this book: 'I may not understand fully your sense of gender, but I accept you and support you unequivocally.'
Like the best of Shakespeare's plays, the most erudite on the subject will gain deeper insight, and those coming to the subject for the first time will gain what they can (more than the expect or will initially realize. More, this is the type of book that you hold onto because you will read it again. And to paraphrase Heraclitus, you may read this book again but it will not be the same book and you will not be the same person.
How many books truly are so profound as to be likened to a river? The Gender Book is one.
Few, I think, will understand everything they read; and those who do can only do so in an intellectual way. Lived experience of gender is what we have, and by portraying different gender identities we can learn from other people -- and, if we are honest, learn more about ourselves. What we can understand is that every individual merits respect as themselves -- and that includes their definition of their gender.
Each entry is of a person and in their own words they describe their experience and/or sense of gender. Beyond that are other statements about favorite hobbies or memories or experience that are not specifically gender-related but do make the person more three-dimensionally real. It also offers the possibility that if I cannot relate to X presentation of gender, I totally share the appreciation of Y thing.
The book does not presume knowledge or awareness though those who bring plenty get something from the experience of reading. Experience is not critical, being open to experience is. The book prepares us to be better people and more supportive of others. Take a common paraphrase of Elizabeth Beatrice Hall in "Friends of Voltaire:" 'I may not agree with what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it' and turn it to the purpose of this book: 'I may not understand fully your sense of gender, but I accept you and support you unequivocally.'
Like the best of Shakespeare's plays, the most erudite on the subject will gain deeper insight, and those coming to the subject for the first time will gain what they can (more than the expect or will initially realize. More, this is the type of book that you hold onto because you will read it again. And to paraphrase Heraclitus, you may read this book again but it will not be the same book and you will not be the same person.
How many books truly are so profound as to be likened to a river? The Gender Book is one.
September 28, 2017
A clever, kind, comprehensive 101 intro to gender for both cis/straight allies and also people who might be looking for nuance or new words to describe their own feelings about gender. Totally acceptable for ages 9 on up (although depending on reading level, younger children might need some vocab help, but the basic ideas are accessible).
June 24, 2017
Educative and fun resource, recommended reading for everyone! Also great to leave lying around somewhere to start interesting conversations.
Read
August 10, 2023Good intro for cisgender folks with limited exposure to gender minority communities. Some outdated terms but fun illustrations.
December 3, 2016
The Gender Book stands alone as a basic primer to gender and gender issues written and illustrated entirely by trans* individuals. It covers a lot of ground in short time and could be a lot to take in for those new to the issues. It seems to have been mainly written as a teaching resource to accompany or help provide some structure to a classroom curriculum, and I think it would serve that purpose well.
The pages are generally illustrations with text bubbles and sidebars, which can be difficult to follow at times but could make the material more accessible to a young audience. For my part, I wasn't enamoured of the illustration style.
The pages are generally illustrations with text bubbles and sidebars, which can be difficult to follow at times but could make the material more accessible to a young audience. For my part, I wasn't enamoured of the illustration style.
June 4, 2014
At looonnnggg last, an intelligent, accessible, helpful, beautiful, desperately-needed book on the subject of gender identity and gender expression. This is a book you could read with the family, a classroom, a spiritual group, on the bus—anywhere. In fact, I hope to see people reading this everywhere I go. I think this book is the turning point for a broader and deeper understanding of identity issues, which I hope leads to equity for all genders. And maybe even more delightful personal explorations amongst the general population.
March 6, 2015
Graphic-rich gender primer, created by people who know what they're talking about. Suitable for adults and kids. Lots of supplementary materials available on their website as well.
July 27, 2016
Wonderfully informative, quick, and easy-to-read guide. Recommend to anyone who is a human being or likely to interact with humans.
February 3, 2017
Great resource for anyone trying to understand the broad concept of gender. Very informative and helpful! Also excellent resource for young people trying to navigate their own gender roles.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews