Thoughts and Opinions on Gender Queer

 I’m not going to lie, I enjoyed Gender Queer much, much more than I thought I would. Perhaps I still have a lingering sense of superiority over graphic novels, but there was true brilliance in this graphic novel that Kobabe was able to share. I had spoken to someone about this book and he said that it was truly written for students our age. Kobabe’s story is raw and real and vulnerable, sharing reality and is truly created for older audiences.

    In class, we’ve had ample discussion about what it means to find value in a book that shares one’s own truth, and the same can be said about Kobabe’s story. The way e crafts the journey of eir life, from wondering to exploring to finding truths is something that was discussed in Dawson’s book This Book is Gay. Simply speaking, the ability to see the truth, a real life memoir and account that someone experienced is so powerful. This isn’t to say that any other book telling a story about gender dysphoria and the exploration of self-identity isn’t valid, but to have someone share eir own story in a novel that is readable – and visible – by so many people is truly inspirational. 

This vulnerability is exceptionally profound for sharing such an important story. Moments that are conceived as everyday normalities for some are nightmares for others. Clothes shopping and gynecologist visits are two moments that Kobabe writes about. The extra level of drama e needs to face in order to be comfortable is something that not many people face. However, with em sharing these vulnerable moments, it opens the door for those wondering or questioning to begin realizing they are not alone. 

This is furthermore validated by Kobabe including the segments, and subsequent quotations, about Patricia Churchland. There’s something interesting about this series of segments. Including anecdotes from Churchland and including some of her well-founded research is monumental for those who identify as gender non-binary or nonconforming. Overall, this book is immensely healing – both for Kobabe and for other readers. 

Obviously, banning any book is detrimental, but what’s almost worse in this case is that there are elements of this book that show Kobabe living eir life in the conventional way. There are moments where e shares about the various aspects of eir school classes, the first baby born in eir family, and even the way e is able to teach young girls and inspire them to pursue graphic art. The thing with not showing these scenes and passages and segments is that the entire book becomes vilified when in reality it is often an outlet for people to learn about themselves and feel less alone in the world. 

I think I enjoyed this book and Kobabe’s story the most because of what it is able to offer people. For someone like me who is not questioning and is comfortable in the gender I was assigned at birth, this is a story that opens my eyes and expresses opinions and views that I might have never considered. However, beyond me, this book is able to offer a sense of solace and connection for those who are wondering and may feel uncomfortable in the elements of their identity they were assigned at birth. Kobabe crafts an elegant graphic novel that is vulnerable, visceral, and educational. To encompass all three in an enjoyable story is truly entertaining and remarkable.