QUEER: The Ultimate LGBT Guide for Teens by Kathy Belge and Mark Bieschke

Hey there! Welcome to Sex Ed Rescue, where I share book reviews on my YouTube channel. I’m Cath Hak, and I’m all about helping you have important conversations and making sure kids have the right information about love, sex, relationships, and everything in between. You can also find more resources on my website, where I show parents a better way to talk to their kids about these topics.

Now, let’s talk about this popular book for LGBT teens called Queer by Kathy Belge and Mark Bieschke. Just a heads up, this book has been updated recently, around 2018 or 2019. That means the language has been adjusted to reflect our current understanding of gender, biological sex, and sexuality. It’s important to know this before deciding whether to buy the book. Cheers!

So, Queer was originally published in 2011, which means it’s a bit outdated when it comes to language. Nowadays, we use more inclusive terms that don’t just focus on boys and girls. We talk about people with male bodies, people who have periods, or people who produce sperm. The terminology has become more diverse, and it’s constantly evolving.

I’ve noticed that the field of sex education is always changing, and even books published last year can feel outdated. Things are moving quickly, you know? But let’s dive into the topics covered in Queer. It starts by exploring what it means to be queer and whether you need to have sex to understand your same-sex attraction. The book also discusses the spectrum of sexual orientation, from being totally straight to totally gay, and where you might fit in. It even touches on intersex identities and when it’s important to figure out your own queerness.

Coming out is another important topic covered in the book. What I really like about it is that it offers some great communication strategies. Starting conversations about sexuality can be tough for parents, but kids also struggle to talk to us about it. This book provides ideas on timing, planning the conversation, and what to say. It even includes stories to help you navigate these discussions. It’s interesting stuff!

The book also addresses who to talk to and how to find supportive people in your life. It’s crucial to have a network that will stand by you and not bully you. I’ve been reading these amazing comic books called Heartstopper lately. They tell the story of two guys and shed light on the challenges they face when it comes to coming out and dealing with bullies. It’s so important to have accurate information like this book provides, because kids have questions and they need reliable sources. Otherwise, they might turn to the internet, movies, or gossip at school, which may not always be accurate or helpful.

Dealing with sexual feelings and attraction can be tough for anyone, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation. But for queer teens, it can be even harder due to discrimination and the challenges they face as a minority. Kids aren’t oblivious to this, they pick up on the homophobia and slang thrown around at school or in the community. That’s why books like Queer are incredibly important. They provide support and accurate information to help navigate these challenges.

I hope this review has been helpful, even though I couldn’t show you the book itself. Trust me, it’s packed with lots of valuable information. I don’t want to keep you here for half an hour, so I’ll wrap it up. Remember, supporting queer teens is crucial, as they face higher rates of depression and suicide compared to their heterosexual peers. Let’s be there for them and provide them with the resources they need. Cheers, and take care!