Gender Queer: Thoughts

The second half of Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe offers a lot of insightful, and thoughtful aspects of navigating a cis-gendered world. In the later chapters we see the narrator and main protagonist of the story Maia become emersed in the possibilities of the world after living a rather simple, sheltered, and traditional life. 

 

An aspect that I appreciate about the novel is the idea of role models throughout the story. Maia highlights the influence of David Bowie’s music, Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir, and writings of Oscar Wilde. It is nice to be able to put names to thoughts and feelings; these people who were simply being themselves let other curious minds know that they are not alone with certain feelings. It is a way to easily develop upon certain ideas that were already forming. Now Maia has the opportunity to be a role model for students and expose them to a society where gender terms do not have to define your identity. 

 

Another important leaning opportunity that Gender Queer: A Memoir offers is the honest portray of difficulties that follow when identifying as non-binary. For example, when explaining why Maia wanted to change em pronouns to e aunt. Maia’s aunt expressed her confusion and asked that Maia could explain it to her, saying that until she understands the need for the change she will not understand. I think this tells readers that destigmatize the idea that members of the LGBTQ+ community know, understand, and agree with all aspects of the sexuality and gender. Although Maia’s aunt was a lesbian she still did not initially agree with the idea of trans and genderqueer people because she viewed it as a product of misogyny and internalized female hatred. Through this conversation both Maia and her aunt came to a consensus, but it caused Maia to have a hard conversation with herself that ultimately led to further self-discovery and learning who e is and why e feels they way e does. 

 

I think the realistic nature of the novel along with is easy to read comic format allows readers to be comfortable. It sends a message that talking about things like gender and sexuality do not need to be so hardcore. They can be fun, inspiring, and expressive to readers.