Welcome to Litsy!

A very well written introductory text on rethinking gender norms and queer identity that should be read by everyone to sensitise people about how to engage with LGBTQIA+ identities without diminishing or marginalising their voices and life experiences. Alok writes powerfully using their own experiences facing transmisic violence and abuse.

This is a slim volume, but it packs a lot of valuable information into a small space. Based on Vaid-Menon‘s experiences as a non-binary artist and performer, we get an exploration of gender as expression, but there are also comments on power structures, shame, found family, and art. ⬇️

Appropriately pocket size, feels like it should be in my back pocket to handle everything from spurious arguments to innocent gaps in knowledge. Aimed toward USA issues specifically but valid sentiments internationally. While it won't function as a how-to-guide for the individual exploring their gender identity (because as it points out each person's journey is different) it is yet another book in the arsenal of works that offer courage and hope.

Ouch. Twenty-something me-of-the-past FELT that.

Not gonna cry, not gonna cry. 🥹 Okay, I might cry.

"Being real is not a scarce resource," ??

"Being self-reflective and open to transformation is something we should celebrate, not fear."

Next reads in my 'what am gender?' 🤔 exploration...

Been meaning to get to this one for a while. It‘s great! A super brief but thoughtful introduction to the expanding definitions and understandings of gender, and I like how it provides simple, direct responses to misconceptions, dismissals, and rejections of these. And it‘s all deepened by the author‘s willingness to share about their own experiences and perspectives throughout. Definitely something I'd consider using with students. #BannedBooks

Very informative

#pridebookrec #nonfiction
If you have gender questions, or just want to be the best ally you can be, you must read up with, and follow Alok. They are full of love, always ready to question the binary, and beautifully passionately themselves.
This is a small but mighty book about gender.

Quick, informative, and woven with the personal experiences of Alok Vaid-Menon, this book is definitely a pick for me. As someone who is genderqueer, I received a good break down on how I might respond to popular narratives that do harm. But I think this would be a good place to start for anyone who just want to know a little more about the those of us who traverse, or leave entirely, the gender binary.

"I have learned that the most lethal part of the human body is not the fist; it is the eye. What people see and how people see it has everything to do with power." - Alok Vaid-Menon

"The days that I feel most beautiful are the days that I am most afraid." - Alok Vaid-Menon

This is a book we should all read. It‘s really short, but I learned so much and enjoyed the writing immensely.

Alok's writing is powerful, beautiful, and full of feeling and compassion. I already have the tagged book and highly recommend it. Planning to get his other 2, which are poetry volumes. There's also a 15% sale today for any interested:

https://alokvmenon.myshopify.com/collections/all

This is such a great read for anyone who wants to learn more about the gender binary. It's easy to read and understand, and it does a great job of debunking a lot of the myths we've been raised on. This book is all about learning and unlearning. Highly recommend.

Wonderful, short read by one of my favorite people to listen to and follow on social media. This book provides simple and understandable definitions for all things gender related. It is a how to guide for standing up for/defending yourself or others who do not conform to the gender binary.

Another excellent pocket change collective book. This one I will definitely recommend to a few parents I know who are struggling to understand what it means when their teen or their child‘s friend identifies as non-binary and/or gender-non confirming. Alok talks about their experience growing up and how society forced them to hide how they truly felt.
#pride #audiopuzzling
#nonfiction2021 #lgbtqia+ author

An enlightening little book, written for young adults. Most of the content is responses to arguments about why there are only two genders, etc.
though it‘s slim, I gained some wonderful perspective and talking points. 🌈 🌟

Finished this one up last night and it was such a great final read of 2020
Alok's journey is so inspiring and they explain why the gender binary system doesn't actually make sense. It was definitely eye-opening and taught me some things about figuring out identity.

I recently heard Alok as a guest on a podcast I listen to and they were so inspiring, which made me pick up their book at the library. Just started reading it and after a few pages in, I know it's gonna be powerful 💪

I'm happy with the progress I'm making on my #BookSpinBingo so far this month! Hoping to fill in another box by the end of the day.

I‘m definitely in for another #nonfictionNovember! Included in the stack I am already forming is the Pocket Change Collective ebooks I plan to read with Maya. Also hoping my hold for Hood Feminism comes in time! #nfn2020

Jameela Jamil's iweigh podcast introduced me to Alok and this slim book, and it's excellent reading! So often we only engage with people through narrations of our own lives, and it can be hard to understand those who identify differently. Alok's book challenges us to respect ourselves and others and to imagine how beautiful the world could be if we allowed creative expression without conforming to arbitrary norms.

"What people see and how people see it has everything to do with power."