supportive, environment in which
they can do so openly, the book’s
advice comes across as inclusive
and sensitive.
ADDRESSING ISSUES
AROUND IDENTITY AND
IDENTIFICATION
Co-author Mady addressed what
can often feel like the elephant in
the room for some people. “Why
all these labels? Can’t people just
exist without having to nitpick
at who identifies in what way?”
While, Mady points out, this
would be the ideal scenario, this
misses one of the cornerstones
about queer identification and
the purpose it serves. The broad
range of identities are there to
help individuals, not to act purely
as classification; they are there
to be defined by the individuals,
rather than letting them define us.
Self-labelling can help some
people feel more grounded
in their identity, as well as
making it easier for them to find
others who have had similar
experiences or feelings. Self-
identification can help foster a
sense of community, counteract
feelings of confusion, otherness,
and shame. Mady shares her
own experience: “Growing up
lonely, gender-ambiguous, with
a sexuality I didn’t understand,
Great for...- Readers who want to learn
more about queer and
trans identities - Individuals curious or
starting their own journey - Sharing with others to get
the conversation started
Self-identification
can help foster
a sense of
community,
counteract feelings
of confusion,
otherness, and
shamewas difficult. Nowadays, young
people have the tools available
to learn and grow rather than
hide and despair, and that’s an
amazing thing!”
While our initial reaction may
be to baulk or feel overwhelmed
at learning so many varied labels
and ways of identifying, this book
shows us, through first-hand
experiences and examples, why
it’s such an important area to
embrace and support.SHOULD I READ IT?
Written from a place of experience,
Mady and JR have created an
engaging and entertaining, yet
deeply thoughtful guide to the
world of gender and sexual
identity. Refreshing and inclusive,
with attention-grabbing graphics
and straightforward language, A
Quick & Easy Guide To Queer &
Tran s Identities is a must-read for
those who are unsure or coming
to terms with their own identity,
as well as anyone who wants to
learn more about queer and trans
identities.
In a time where the right to
express your own idenity is
questioned and refused by so
many people, this book is a
must-read in the fight for self-loveand acceptance. Empowering and
enlightening, this book opens the
door for inclusive conversation.‘A Quick & Easy Guide To Queer
& Trans Identities’ By Mady G and
JR Zuckerberg (Limerence Press,
£8.99, 23 April)IF YOU LIKED THIS,
YOU’LL LOVE...
A Quick & Easy Guide To
They/Them Pronouns
By Archie Bongiovanni and
Tristan Jimerson
(Limerence Press,
£6.99)
Genderqueer Archie
and cisgender
Tristain team up
to explain the
importance of gender
pronouns, why they
matter, and how to
use them.Trans Teen Survival
Guide
By Owl and Fox Fisher
(Jessica Kingsley
Publishers, £12.99)
A frank, friendly
and funny guide for
transgender and non-
binary teens to feel
informed, empowered,
and armed with practical
advice to navigate life.Trans Mission: My
Quest to a Beard
By Alex Bertie (Wren &
Rook, £9.99)
At age 15, Alex realised
he was a transgender
man. In this honest
and emotional book,
Alex shares his
journey.