omg yall it’s the last page of the GENDER book, colored!

… at least, unless I go through with this secret plan to add another last minute page… then it’d be the second-to-last.

I cannot wait to see it in print. We included some random fun facts and miscellaneous info there on the inside back cover you might recognize from the GENDER booklet, as well as a little concept map to help you find your way through the book quickly. 

The Birds and the Bees (page from the GENDER book)

If a trans woman likes other women, does that make her a lesbian? How does it work to make love to a trans man? Do gender-variant folks have gender-variant lovers? We talk about the intersection of sex and sexuality and gender identity (no worries, it’s work and kid-safe). Includes survey responses, and hand-drawn illustrations by me. Enjoy! -mel

Hey Tumblrs!

The GENDER book is in the process of making a video that will be used for an upcoming kickstarter and for a grant application. If you want to be in it, we’d love to have you. Here’s how you submit a shoutout:

Make a brief video of you saying how a resource like the GENDER book could make positive change in your life, family, home community. Who do you know that could use some gender education?

Bonus points if you show off your copy, hand-printed or found at an event, or include a shot of your favorite page(s).

Every contributor will get a shoutout in the final hardcover GENDER book and here on our website, and our heartfelt thanks. 

Send us an email to creators at the genderbook dot com with Video Shoutout in the subject line, and a link to your blog or youtube or whatever you’d like us to promote for you. But hurry, they’re due by Wednesday Feb 20th if you want to be included. 

Much love and community,

Mel, Jay, and Robin

co-creators of the GENDER book

Gender Identity page (from the GENDER book)

no matter how you play, when you feel comfortable in your own skin, you win! We added some minor text editing, including a hint to help folks with the mirror-writing. Enjoy!  -mel, the artist

Gender Expression

Another page from the GENDER book, edited.

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Oh cool, I get it. Gender expression is about the ways I communicate my gender to other people. This includes my short hair, baseball cap, how I don’t wear makeup, how I refer to myself, the way I talk, and even the activities I enjoy. Though the specifics change every time I get dressed, I notice I tend to use a consistently masculine palette overall. However, I might present a little differently depending on my mood that day, and the context - you know, whether I’m going to church with my grandma or a party with my friends. But that’s just me. How do you wear your gender?

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Please leave comments/critique/feedback as comments on our original post if you want us to read them, or simply email us at creators (at) thegenderbook.com. We’d love to read what you have to say.

The gender binary (and alternative systems)

Public bathrooms, like drivers licenses and census forms, present us with two options. You’re either male or female. In this system, your gender and sex are assumed to be the same thing. However, this isn’t always true for gender diverse or intersex  folks.

My friends and I would love a gender system that includes more options than male and female. Can you imagine that? What might it look like?

(cc) the GENDER book. please share and comment on our original post if you want us to see it. Thanks! -Mel

Imagine gender as a planet.

All people grow up somewhere on that planet, most in Ladyland or in Manlandia. Lots of people are comfortable where they’re born and stay in that same area their whole  lives. Some people,  though, are citizens of Manlandia but are born in Ladyland. Just like in the real world, you can’t tell someone’s citizenship by looking at them, it’s very personal. As we get older we may want to move to a place where we are more comfortable. 

cisgender If you’re most comfortable in the gender you were assumed at birth, that’s called cisgender. 

transgender Anyone who lives outside their expected gender land, crossing state lines, so to speak, could be said to be transgender. 

How you as a community member can help the GENDER book project

well there are three main areas we could use your help with:

1. spread the word - share, reblog, post, print and hand out pamphlets to your school
2. contribute content - tell us your story for the book’s content, or add your expertise and information to the genderpedia, or help edit the rough draft (critique, tell us about typos, help us reword so it’s easier to understand). 
3. help with resources - hook us up with publishing leads, gift us kinkos gift certificates or airline miles to help us educate, talk to your professors about having us speak to your class, or we take cash through PayPal. 

In this gifting season, just thought we’d throw some options out there in case any of ya’ll feel overflowing with gratitude for a gender education tool like ours and need to do something to help. We recently got a $50 donation from a rad mom on behalf of her drag fabulous kids, and are always so inspired by our communities. 

This page was a late addition, but it’s important and will go near the start of the book. 

What are some common misconceptions you feel around gender?

-Mel

The birds and the bees, aka our gender and sexuality page!

Notice a few speech bubbles were left blank. IF you’d like to add your experience about gender as it relates (or doesn’t) relate to your sexuality, or any thoughts on those realms, comment here and it may be used in the final book!

Cheers!

Mel, the artist