Juno Dawson's book This Book is Gay is often in the news as it is frequently challenged and appears on lists of banned books. I imagine we will be hearing more about this work as well in the coming months. Dawson, a trans woman, speaks frankly of her own experience while offering support and advice to other trans and nonbinary folx.
While her intended audience is other trans, gender queer, or questioning people she also speaks to cisgender people, and has a specific chapter for people like me "Advice for Parents and Caregivers". She offers that each reader has their own purpose for reading her book and provides a list of possible reasons why one might have picked it up including (among others) that "Maybe it's in your school library and it has a nice cover".
In her chapter "Doctor! Doctor! I Think I'm Transgender!" she offers some advice to young trans and nonbinary people seeking treatment
For people under eighteen, I always think the first port of call is an adult you trust. This could be a teacher, librarian, school counselor or family doctor.
I hope that everyone knows that librarians will provide information on any topic without judgement, and that every young person knows a librarian whom they trust. However, in today's political climate that includes a rash of anti-trans legislation, book challenges that seek to remove all LGBTQ literature from school and libraries ("nice covers" not withstanding), and the targeting of educators (including school librarians) who provide such information, I am afraid that finding such trusted adults and reliable information will be more difficult than ever.
Dawson reminds readers that trans people have always been part of our history and suggests that we learn their stories. "When transphobic people accuse you of being 'trendy' or act like being trans is something new, be ready to open the library. Reading is what? Fundamental".
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