This is such a fantastic book!

I can’t speak highly enough about how well the author conveys eir story. The journey flows smoothly and e conveys immense introspection easily and beautifully. 

I regularly see one of the main reasons this book is banned being due to “pornography”, which is a painful stretch to say the least. At best, Maia dives into eir often uncomfortable journey to discovering the meaning of asexuality and the discomfort and pain experimentation can bring. 

Adults seem to often (and sometimes willfully) forget that children and teenagers are people, too. Experimentation and growing in your sexuality and your familiarity with your own body are normal parts of childhood. Few of us could say we didn’t have the same or similar thoughts and experiences growing up as Maia describes. What makes someone think other children are any different?

The only thing these sections of the book provide are a lived experience, one that Maia offers to share - as a comfort, as something to relate to, as something to not feel alone or freakish. E normalizes things that *are* normal and makes them less scary and foreign. I wish I had had that as a child. 

My only slight discomfort with the content of this book is the prevalence of influence the Harry Potter franchise has in Maia’s story throughout. However, given the decade and culture e grew up in, it’s not surprising at all and it is true to eir story, ironic as it is. 

Everyone should read this book to gain some insight through the window of Maia’s story. If you have never questioned your gender or sexual identity, this is a great opportunity to understand a little better what those experiences are like on the other side. And if you have gone through or currently are on this journey, this book is a fantastic exploration of the ups and downs, questions and answers that come from introspection and growth. 

I can’t recommend Gender Queer enough!