Maia Kobabe, author of Gender Queer, interview with PEN America

[@kaijuk]

Sick!!!

[@Theo-gu2tk]

Gender Queer is a fantastic book! Y'all shitting on it are crazy, tbh. I had a lovely time reading it!

[@walter2201]

It isn't for kids tho which is the issue no one is trying to ban the sale of the book they just don't want it so easily accessible for minors if you as a parent want to let your kid read it that's on you, you can always buy it for them

[@Theo-gu2tk]

@@walter2201 genuine question, what about it do you consider to be not for kids, and what do you mean when you say kids? Technically R-Rated films are 17+, meaning people who aren’t legal adults can see them, so is the book fine for high school seniors? There’s just a lot of ambiguity in what you’re saying.

[@Cevolt_]

Sex offender🤮🤮

[@OfficialDreamTheater]

@@Theo-gu2tk This book has pornographic content in it that is apparent with the graphic novel, which I skipped through. WHY do kids need to know about sucking off other boys, or anything else that is sexually explicit? Gender is male and female, despite what you want to believe. The transgender community is so deep-rooted in sex, and this TRASH doesn't need to be offloaded to our youth. It's grooming!

[@PitchBlackForge]

@@Theo-gu2tk the book would qualify as NC-17 if it was a movie. So nobody under 18. And if you can convince your parents to get the thing for you, or use money you got on your own, or sneak access to it, that’s your business. None of us want to provide it for minors, because to do so is immoral. You’re a child. Your voice doesn’t matter until you’re an adult, and whoever gave you ideas to the contrary was mistaken.

[@danyramos8139]

Thank you for the book. I connected for the first time to so many aspects you mentioned, and I felt seen. Thank you

[@maureenberra16]

You are so wonderful! I am a 66 yr old Lesbian Grandmother. My dad was bi, I have a son who is straight, I have a son who is gay, I have a grandson who is nonbinary. I am so pleased to have found your gift to the world! Everyone who is against this book either have not read it or some people that are closed minded and afraid of anything they do not understand. I want to see this book in High schools for sure and at every Library! I am a retired Labor and delivery that can say medically that their are many genders on the human spectrum that are more than XX and XY. Sure - we have the pink and blue cards; but we have Orange cards also! That does not even come close to naming the gendering we can not see until some one is grow up such has how the brain itself thinks of itself. Much love to you dear heart. Keeping writing. We are all human beings!

[@goose2888]

Sending you so much love ❣️

[@BannedBooksUS]

I really enjoyed this book. It's such a shame that it's so unaccepted out of ignorance. Great interview and I've been pronouncing their name wrong this whole time.

[@Theonlyrealonethereis]

Didn’t know that not allowing a book with sex in it is ignorant.

[@0826ah]

@@TheonlyrealonethereisHave you read the book?

[@0826ah]

@@TheonlyrealonethereisIf you don’t want to read a book with “sex” in it, then don’t. It’s that easy.

[@Theonlyrealonethereis]

@@0826ah it’s being put in schools, which is the problem

[@jimreplicant]

This is disgusting they are trying to teach this garbage in school. People should keep their kinks to themselves what a joke you freaks are

[@davidncohen]

Amazing book, incredible graphics - a must read.

[@Wolf-E-Romeo]

I absolutely would have LOVED to have found this when I was in middle school! I feel as though a lot of people forget what it was like in middle school, but middle schoolers are not innocent. They will hunt down porn, they will have sex, they will sneak into parents liquor, they will do all sorts of things- ironically, I did not, but it was normal for others in middle school to do that. I was the prissy "innocent" church person that looked down on others for that stuff, because I was brought up in that lifestyle.... I was brought up being taught that "tomboy" was just "a phase" not realizing that others might also feel the same way i do... but like me, couldn't put the words to the feelings. GRANTED There are some stories in this book that ARE on the mature side, but honestly, since middle schoolers are little perverts that will get their fix one way or another, the images in this book are VERY tame. yes, adult themed, but if middle schoolers will watch porn, or full out have sex.... than the images in this book are nothing. I personally feel like yes, it should be shown to middle schoolers, but if you aren't comfortable with that, then at the very latest, 14 year olds/ freshmen in high school. BECAUSE ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, ADULTHOOD IS COMING FOR THEM! And its better to be able to have answers than it is to figure out life in the dark. This book has honestly made me want to start writing my own, with my point of views and my experiences. I just don't know how or where to start as I've never done that sort of thing.... But I HIGHLY recommend this book. I found it in a bookstore and with in the first couple pages, it had me. It was the one book come hell or high water that I was going to get that day. I went to look up the reviews on it once I was finished reading it, and saw all the negative comments. It was clear that the people leaving the 1 star reviews didn't read the book, or had a low reading comprehension as the reviews didn't really match up with the book itself. And I know it's not for everyone, however, as an AFAB Non-binary person that grew up from the 90s, it was just the right book for me.

[@Wolf-E-Romeo]

@standuserv1nce177 its not really marketed to kids. It's an auto biography. But I still stand by what I said. I think by middle school age, kids will start to learn for better or worse. In 6th grade, kids start having sex. So they are totally old enough to learn by 11 years old. And this book doesn't really focus on sex because they are asexual. Which means they dont really want to have sex. And its important for kids to know you dont HAVE to have sex, and that its ok to not have those feeling of "wanting" sex. Humans can survive without having sex. Its not the "end-all, be-all" So yeah i think its fine for 10+ not sure if 10 year olds will comprehend the book, but i know that by 11 they will start learning from peers. And their peers know as much as they do, which is to say, nothing at all. So experiments happen with peers. Not to mention self-loathing if "they are the only one that feels that way."

[@Mathetesofscripture]

What's this person's race?

[@federicolautarohohmann9035]

E seems to be white

[@Mathetesofscripture]

@@federicolautarohohmann9035 actual race. White means nothing. Are they European? Hispanic? Jew?

[@ralphra4998]

Human Race.

[@melissamireles9451]

Just finished reading the book and loved it! I consider myself very fortunate in that I’ve never struggled with my identity, but it is a core belief of mine to never stop learning and always be accepting. I encourage everyone to actually read this before forming their misguided opinions. Also, no one’s making this a part of the curriculum or required reading. Censorship is incredibly dangerous, and it’s sad to think this book is being banned from places whose teens probably need it the most. Happy Pride! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

[@decayan9023]

such a lovely book ,i loved to read it and share it with other nb and trans people. they (maia) are right; it do means the world to me and i'm so glad to have found it!

[@Wolf-E-Romeo]

I am going to share it with my sister as their kid just came out as non-binary this year. while they might still be on the "too young" of an age to read this right now, I'm hoping my sister will read it and keep it in mind for when they are older if they continue feeling this way. I really wish there were gender neutral terms for aunt/uncle and niece/nephew.... the only word I've found for it so far sounds gross to me. much like some people are grossed out by the word "moist." But yes, this is the second non-binary book I have read this summer, the other one is "Gender X", and I recommend that book if you liked this one.

[@jimreplicant]

You she read it to five year olds and lop their peepees off too😂 do you folks hear yourselves this is a disgusting book

[@hightops77]

Same language that used in sexual fantasy books in an adult bookstore

[@dollylove3430]

Non binary is called a personality. We all have feminine and masculine traits. It’s not a gender. Confusing children is a tower of babel that will come crashing down. I’m sorry you are confused.

[@V1NNY37]

Non-binary is a gender identity or expression. It’s not a personality, it’s how someone feels like. Maia isn’t confused at all, they are expressing their gender

[@dollylove3430]

@@V1NNY37 By claiming “non binary” proves the fact that there is a binary. Gender dysphoria is a dysphoria of the binary. In conclusion sex and gender are the same.

[@franksanz1044]

@@V1NNY37 How you feel is a feeling; gender is not a feeling - it's a designation. Non-binary is bullshit

[@jimreplicant]

Gender has nothing to do with how you feel😂 you folks are delusional seek help

[@federicolautarohohmann9035]

This book isn't for children, even the author said it

[@BooksBros]

I support you Maia but this book doesn't belong in school, the library absolutely, the bookstores yes, but not in schools. With that being said, I'm glad you wrote the book because it speaks your truth.

[@Wolf-E-Romeo]

Why not in schools? Let me tell you, by middle school, so many kids were "hooking" up... feeling up on each other and doing all sorts of random things. looking up porn websites and "learning" in ways that were "unhealthy" or "unsafe". This book explores asexuality and how the cis-het has put such a high standard into relationships and having sex, but that not all people feel that way. that they don't want to have sex, or be in a relationship. And honestly, there's a lot worse renaissance artworks out there that are much much more explicit than this book. Only a really sick person would think that these images can get someone off.

[@ForLoyaltyCards]

@@Wolf-E-Romeo @user-gj6vq3hm6r 20 minutes ago (edited) The first 95 pages are about life while under the age of eighteen. The remaining 144 pages are descriptions or visual images of adult during sex , and adult sexually erotic books. The entire remaining 144 pages feels like product placement for other authors. I have to wonder if money is being received given the detail that has been done to ensure the reader can easily find the products that are named in the book and make a list of their own. The book also names and discusses the usefulness of sex toys and they are available in sex stores. No mention that these stores are for over eighteen. Interestingly, special mention is given to Tumbler and Tinder as good places to find anonymous sex. It all feels like an advertisement. The book also deals with thoughts' on co-workers etc... This book is not for minors at the elementary or secondary level. Only thirty-none percent of the content is about life under 18 all the rest is a manual for life as a Queer adult.

[@franksanz1044]

@@Wolf-E-Romeo Because it's pornography - it has no place in schools. It should be 18+

[@jimreplicant]

@@Wolf-E-Romeoyou are gross this stuff doesnt belong anywhere near school. School is for teaching math and science and lit, not showing kids your weird kinks to make yourselves feel better sooo disgusting!

[@walter2201]

​@Wolf-E-Romeo yeah you're a predator, just because kids go do it doesn't mean you should be giving them easy access especially with government funds also these books were in elementary schools so

[@nayrtnartsipacify]

This is how the left argues: Thats not happening... Show them irrefutable proof that it is: well its a good thing.

[@kehlarcorsair1524]

You haven't read it have you? No one is saying this is grade school reading.

[@Teal_Seal]

Ha! That’s what my lefty friends sound like 😅

[@Teal_Seal]

@@kehlarcorsair1524 ⁠Activist teachers convinced they’re promoting acceptance teach about gender and pronouns. They call kids (many just hungry for attention and status) by their chosen names, deliberately keeping this a secret from parents. Some kids are receiving hormones without parental consent or knowledge. Why in the world would they object to having this book - and others like it - in elementary schools? (And I’ve read it.)

[@0826ah]

@@Teal_SealStatus? People don’t get status by being gender nonconforming or trans in a world that largely doesn’t understand the experience and reality.

[@Teal_Seal]

@@0826ah Many teens DO get status from it, from peers, teachers, and online. Adults not so much. Teens? Yes.

[@m.jministry356]

Disgusting why would you want to show that to children

[@pippas927]

some people care about their children's self fulfillment and want them to feel unconditionally loved and respected

[@m.jministry356]

@@pippas927 So if a Child wants Cocaine for "self fulfillment" & "to feel unconditionally loved and respected" would you do that? No you train your child on the way they should go not on feelings. Live in reality

[@Vedmack854]

@@pippas927 Age appropriate content is important.

[@captainpancake8177]

​@@Vedmack854 what's inappropriate about the book?

[@Vedmack854]

@@captainpancake8177 everything about it is not age appropriate to kids under 18. I’ve thumbed through it It’s gay porn. And like all porn, it’s not age appropriate for kids. By law anyone under 18 is a child.

[@porknoodle7886]

Every weird woman author that identifies as something looks like this, lmao 🤣

[@Stan_sprinkle]

What? There’s nothing weird about her unless you grew up in and never left some Podunk town in America

[@alr.3137]

@@Stan_sprinklecalm down. She does look weird, has weird ideas and is full of horse shite

[@V1NNY37]

They don’t look weird at all, they’re very beautiful

[@jimreplicant]

Definitely weird but nice try at coping. You folks should learn how to keep your kinks to yourselves 😂 yall want to teach kids this garbage🤮

[@spiritof6663]

I'll admit there *is* a 'type' that looks like this but that's not a good or bad thing, IMV. It just is, like any other identity type. What, you mean punk rockers look like punk rockers? Bankers look like bankers? Well, welcome to the world where non-binaries look non-binary. Big whoop!

[@PitchBlackForge]

For every copy of this in a children’s library, we should donate books the lefties will hate and see what they do.

[@OfficialDreamTheater]

Let's put Mein Kampf in the libraries. They'll be pissed.

[@elliexyz27]

@@OfficialDreamTheaterYou are aware that Mein Kampf is in many libraries including public ones in democratic areas correct?

[@federicolautarohohmann9035]

​@@OfficialDreamTheater "Simpson, You are diabólic"

[@bjrgirenesamuelsen7752]

​@OfficialDreamTheater mein kampf is found in many libraries all over the world, although not so much in Germany for reasons I hope I don't have to explain to you. However, are you seriously comparing a book like gender queer that explores thoughts, feelings and questions around identity to the writings of a madman dictator responsible for the deaths of 75 million people?? If so, please examine your rationale, and maybe go get some education in a place that won't confirm your biases.

[@dinothunder893]

It’s a good book to use for fire wood

[@federicolautarohohmann9035]

Mayebe

[@alexmarti1817]

Her book has nake kids in it , think about

[@prepareahead8494]

Porn doesn’t belong in schools

[@federicolautarohohmann9035]

Ok, i understand it, but "Fahrenheit 451" aint p0rn

[@ForLoyaltyCards]

The first 95 pages are about life while under the age of eighteen. The remaining 144 pages are descriptions or visual images of adult during sex , and adult sexually erotic books. The entire remaining 144 pages feels like product placement for other authors. I have to wonder if money is being received given the detail that has been done to ensure the reader can easily find the products that are named in the book and make a list of their own. The book also names and discusses the usefulness of sex toys and they are available in sex stores. No mention that these stores are for over eighteen. Interestingly, special mention is given to Tumbler and Tinder as good places to find anonymous sex. It all feels like an advertisement. The book also deals with thoughts' on co-workers etc... This book is not for minors at the elementary or secondary level. Only thirty-none percent of the content is about life under 18 all the rest is a manual for life as a Queer adult.

[@spiritof6663]

Boy, your reading comprehension is terribly poor. Yes, the author buys *one* sex toy in the book--and *hates* it. Yes, the author uses Tinder to hook up for a date--and *hates* it!! If these are really covert "ads" for these products, they've got to the be the most ineffective ads I've ever seen. And to be honest if you don't know about Tinder by now, you've been living under a rock; the mention of Tinder in the novel is so blase I didn't even really consider it an issue as I read it. But apparently some people (ironically, seeing as how they're always railing against liberal safe spaces) need a 'safe space' from it, LOL.

[@CitizenWilkes]

This book violates Minnesota Statute 617.246 but people just look the other way.

[@ijione]

She seems really tone deaf or in denial about what's really in the book. I would never give this to anyone in middle or even high school because it's so sexually graphic. This could have been a much more sensitive and relational book without the graphic sex.

[@emmalynmorningstar528]

I actually strongly disagree with that. Sex is a part of life, and it often starts in high school. It is important to not ignore it and to not censor your life experiences. Yes it is sexual, but your sexual life is naturally going to be a part of gender discovery and sexual identity, which is the entire point of the book!

[@coleenkildare1733]

You are XX or XY NOTHING will EVER change that!

[@jelenatj1825]

Imagine writing sexual book and promoting it to children in a face of queer and homosexuality

[@kehlarcorsair1524]

It's perhaps more appropriately an asexual book. And high school students should be able to handle it. (Imagine reading a book before you make a judgement on it)

[@swedishem5336]

@@kehlarcorsair1524 There's depictions of a blowjob and tasting vaginal discharge in it

[@niwrik]

@@kehlarcorsair1524 imagine thinking your moral code (or lack thereof) extends to my children.

[@Saabjock]

​@@niwrikI am asking because I do not have any school-aged kids.... Is the book a mandatory read in the classroom? Are there any sexually depicted images in the book? Do teachers read this book to kids as part of the class curriculum?

[@Wolf-E-Romeo]

@@Saabjock - I can't tell you if this is a mandatory read. There ARE sexually depicted images in the book, but renaissance era artwork is more sexually explicit. I feel as though middle school kids will look porn up on the internet and watch it as a way to learn, this is less than porn. No one would "get off" on the images depicted in this book. As its a book about Asexuality and not really wanting to have sex- but instead how others put the pressure on you to have sex even if its "not your thing". Which I don't think people really understand what Asexual actually means. And honestly, as a middle schooler, if this book was introduced to me, I would have very much loved it.

[@lucidnomad]

This woman is under possession

[@binghamguevara6814]

She’s not a woman, it’s a thing.

[@federicolautarohohmann9035]

​@@binghamguevara6814 smells like #accidentalallies

[@anamar_]

Im sorry you have to go through this in your life .. but please don't put others into your own desperate anxiety gender disforia.

[@Wolf-E-Romeo]

They are not putting others in eir "desperate anxiety gender dysphoria", but rather showing that it IS normal to feel the way they do. The only time gender dysphoria becomes a "thing" is when others MAKE it a thing. To live in a world without gender roles/ gender "norms" would be amazing. the "you cant do 'this' because you are a 'boy' or 'girl' " or "you have to act a certain way because you are a 'boy' or a 'girl' " is where dysphoria comes from, not from you INTERNALLY, but the external world that forces itself on us. Why do girls HAVE to shave when boys don't? Hair is on our bodies as natural protection. But if you want to shave you can, BUT then, if a boy wants to shave, its looked down upon. So for one gender its expected, and for the other people laugh at them.... how is that fair? and that's but one minor example of stupid roles the cis-het society has forced upon kids. It's stupid.

[@anamar_]

@@Wolf-E-Romeo and yet this book is a shame. Gender disforia is a disease such as anorexia... and telling people different is so dangerous.

[@Wolf-E-Romeo]

@@anamar_ Yes, it may be a disease, so then allow the health care providers to help with it. Let the vast surgeries be the things that fixes the various dysphorias. It's not "dangerous" though. far from it. If more people speak up about how they feel, it will become less of a taboo, which means there will be less suicides. See, society is the dangerous part of living. If someone isn't hurting someone else, then live and let live. No transgender or non-binary person is hurting another person by changing how they look. If someone wants a tattoo or piercing - They are allowed to get it. Even though it falls under "body mutilation" standards. And its societies "normal" Getting a tattoo or piercing on your OWN body, doesn't hurt anyone else. Why does getting any type of treatment for gender dysphoria make it more dangerous than that? Or right, because society THINKS it would. When in reality, it saves lives.

[@spiritof6663]

@@anamar_ You didn't read or comprehend a word of what Wolf-E-Romeo had to say. That's what's a shame.

[@FenriZz]

She's got some nerve honestly

[@dgyoutube2405]

Satan is not a dragon and demons are not scary. They look like you or

[@Teal_Seal]

People like Maia are not demons. They are confused, misguided people who think they’re doing the right thing, like Paul the apostle did when he was ending Christians. People like Maia need our prayers 🙏

[@V1NNY37]

@@Teal_SealI can assure you maia isn’t confused. They are just expressing there self as what they feel like they are

[@binghamguevara6814]

Ban book and her/him/it/they.

[@montoyag76]

Anyone defending this book needs to be on a list and investigated.

[@Wolf-E-Romeo]

Have you even read it? Do you even understand it? If you have read it, then you should understand its not a book about kids, but rather when they were a kid and how they grew up- literally spanning eir life up till now. It's a biography of eir life experiences. They did nothing "wrong" in it to be "put on a list and investigated" for. I do not understand how you think its a bad book, unless you are the one thinking troubling thoughts, in which case, maybe you are the one needing to be investigated. o_O

[@ForLoyaltyCards]

@@Wolf-E-Romeo No... only 95 pages are dedicated to life under eighteen years of age. All the rest is how to live a life as a Queer Adult. The book describes sex toys, sex stores, how and where to get anonymous sex. Give me a break... not for the schools.

[@Wolf-E-Romeo]

@user-gj6vq3hm6r well thats 95 pages more than the porn that middle schoolers look at. Lol It's a coming of age book. Of course theres going to be a range of ages. And hetero kids/teens use sex toys and hook up, i dont see what the difference is. In fact, i was introduced to sex toys BY hetero peers. Its not JUST an LGBTQ+ thing. And give ME a break, where and how to find annanomous sex? As IF there arent a thousand dating apps geared towards hetero couples. Eharmoney, farmers only, blacks only, bumble, etc. Ive never used those sites nor have i needed to use those sites, but they are shoved in my face without my will. Either on TV, on a youtube ad, as a facebook ad. Literally, ive seen no difference between cis-het kids/teens and lgbtq+ kids/teens. Both have questions about growing up, and both will inevitably find answers, for better or worse. This book IS FOR the gender queer teens looking for answers.

[@SuperJasondennis]

​@Wolf-E-Romeo ur sick, just like John money. The godfather of your sick ideology

[@spiritof6663]

@@ForLoyaltyCards You must think teenagers live a life of stunningly innocent virgin purity, LOL. "Oh my, we can't tell a 16-year old what a sex toy is!!" Ay yay yay... Also, the author herself said her book isn't recommended for children. She says it's an adult graphic novel, so she agrees with you, it's for older teens and adults.

[@toribranson3108]

What is guillotine?