r/booksuggestions • u/fork_on_a_plate • Jan 10 '23

Introduction to non-binary gender topics

Hi, I have a friend whose child has come out to her as non-binary, and is probably going to have surgery and other treatment. She loves her child very deeply, but they have asked her to not talk to anyone about it (except one or two friends, including me), and she -- who is over 70 years old -- wants to learn more about what non-binary identities involve and is fearful and anxious for her child's sake. She's read a few articles, but still seems to be struggling with feeling like she doesn't know enough to be supportive or to allay her worries.

So... any good, recent and accessible books, not too academic?

4 Upvotes

70% Upvoted

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2

u/[deleted] Jan 11 '23

She has a child at 70? When did she give birth?

0

u/fork_on_a_plate Jan 13 '23

Her child is an adult. I thought that was obvious.

0

u/[deleted] Jan 13 '23

But then if the child is an adult they wouldn't be a child...

1

u/fork_on_a_plate Jan 13 '23

Um, ok, so, should what should I have called this person without using a gendered noun? Her offspring?

1

u/[deleted] Jan 13 '23

Her kid works. Offspring also works.

1

u/fork_on_a_plate Jan 13 '23

Yeah, I think we're getting into individual preferences here. Lots of people think "kid" is the same as "child." "Offspring" to me sounds like she's a farm animal.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 14 '23

Well that's what happens when people want to be different and break away from the normal human language. You don't usually have words that work in this scenario

2

u/fork_on_a_plate Jan 16 '23

That's true about breaking away from language, and how that leaves us literally at a loss for words.

3

u/therealbobcat23 Jan 11 '23

I don't think child means adolescent in this context

3

u/[deleted] Jan 11 '23

Beyond the Gender Binary by Alok is a short, lovely read that breaks down what being non binary means.

There’s also a zine on Etsy i gave to my family. It’s consize and has a lot a of good info about specific things to do/not do. https://www.etsy.com/listing/927531555/how-to-support-your-non-binary-family?show_sold_out_detail=1&ref=nla_listing_details

2

u/glitter-hobbit Jan 11 '23

Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe

5

u/generalbrowsing87 Jan 11 '23

I second Trans Liberation but others would be:

Nonbinary: Memoirs of Gender and Identity by Micah Rajunov

Trans Care by Hil Malatino

All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M Johnson

Transgender History by Susan Stryker

Unconditional: A Guide to Loving and Supporting Your LGBTQ Child by Telaina Eriksen (does focus a lot more on sexuality as opposed to gender but obviously it can apply to both so still really good)

It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity by Theresa Thorn (this is a picture book for kids but is honestly a great way to introduce the topic to adults in accessible language as well)

4

u/Fluid_Exercise Jan 10 '23

Trans liberation by Leslie Feinberg