This Book is Gay
Juno Dawson
Hot Key Books
Published September 4, 2014
Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads
About This Book is Gay
Lesbian. Bisexual. Queer. Transgender. Straight. Curious. This book is for everyone, regardless of gender or sexual preference. This book is for anyone who’s ever dared to wonder. This book is for YOU.
There’s a long-running joke that, after “coming out,” a lesbian, gay guy, bisexual, or trans person should receive a membership card and instruction manual. THIS IS THAT INSTRUCTION MANUAL. You’re welcome.
Inside you’ll find the answers to all the questions you ever wanted to ask: from sex to politics, hooking up to stereotypes, coming out and more. This candid, funny, and uncensored exploration of sexuality and what it’s like to grow up LGBT also includes real stories from people across the gender and sexual spectrums, not to mention hilarious illustrations.
You will be entertained. You will be informed. But most importantly, you will know that however you identify (or don’t) and whomever you love, you are exceptional. You matter. And so does this book.
My Review
The conversational style of this book and the inclusion of testimonies from people with a spectrum of identities and genders make This Book is Gay a valuable resource for people beginning to pursue romantic and/or sexual relationships.
With books like this, I often find myself hoping there was a little more attention to asexual people or the ace spectrum. There are some mentions, but a lot of the book focuses on romantic relationships, with a fair amount of pages spent talking about sex. I would have liked to see a little more acknowledgment of ace identity and some exploration about how to find or craft the kinds of relationships that one would find satisfying.
Each section of the book features real stories by people reflecting on their relationships and experiences as LGBTQIA+ people. Some stories talk about coming out and what that was like for them. Others offer relationship advice or views on a particular issue. These stories reinforce the idea that relationships and identity are governed by individuals. How you identify is up to you. What kinds of relationships you pursue is up to you. Being gay doesn’t look the same for everyone.
Dawson writes in an upbeat, celebratory way that invites readers to have confidence in who they are and go forth into the world to find people who appreciate and respect them as well. The backmatter has a super fun section listing and defining gay icons that is a lot of fun to read, too.
This Book is Gay was One of the Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2023
This Book is Gay was one of the top ten most challenged books of 2023. Among the reasons I saw cited for the challenges and book bans were that it contains testimonies of LGBTQIA+ people, information about sex education, and sexually explicit content.
The book does have some information on sex between partners with a focus on safety. Obviously, it also contains information about partnerships between LGBTQIA+ people.
Content Notes
Recommended for Ages 14 up.
Profanity/Crude Language Content
Some swearing is used infrequently.
Romance/Sexual Content
One chapter offers tips for engaging in sexual intimacy. Dawson includes information such as how to have safe sex and the risks of sexually transmitted infections.
Spiritual Content
None.
Violent Content
References to homophobia or transphobia, for example, in a family member’s response to someone coming out.
Drug Content
Brief, candid discussion about going to clubs or bars to meet people and use drugs or alcohol. Dawson acknowledges that this is something some adults prefer to do and offers tips on how to stay safe.
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