Book Review
A short overview of this book
This Book is so Gay by James Dawson is an introductory book for parents and teens who want to understand what being gay (or same-sex attracted) might mean.
Now, I am reviewing this book as a heterosexual female (ie I am sexually attracted to males) and I am also looking at it as a resource for teenagers and parents. So I won’t be looking at it from a LGBTQI perspective or getting into the nitty-gritty of how accurate it is.
I think that this is a great book for a parent who might have a child that is identifying as being gay or same-sex attracted. Or who just wants to know more about same-sex attraction and relationships. It provides a very light and casual overview of being gay and answers a lot of questions in regards to coming out, homosexuality and religion, stereotypes, what gay sex is all about, discrimination, knowing if you are gay, jargon, and much more. All with a positive message that it is okay to be different and that you can make your own decisions about what to do with same-sex attraction. It’s also a really good book for parents in order to understand what their kids go through and to gain more insight.
The information is very simplified, which means that a lot of information hasn’t been included. This book doesn’t get into too much detail but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. A light book that provides you with an overview of being gay can be a good thing, especially if you don’t know a lot to start with! You won’t be easily overwhelmed with too much information with this book!
For teens who might be questioning their sexuality, it provides a lot of great information for young people questioning or discovering their sexuality.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 14 to 17 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of This Book is so Gay by James Dawson from Amazon.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! I’m Cath Hak from Sex Ed Rescue, your go-to channel for book reviews and all things related to sex education. Today, I want to talk about a book that has been making waves in the LGBTQ+ community. It’s written by Juno Dawson, a trans female author who used to go by the name James Dawson. Just a heads up, you might come across books with either name, but it’s the same person behind them.
Now, let me give you a little background. I’m a parent who’s looking to learn more about what it means to be gay, and as a heterosexual straight female, I’m sharing my perspective with you. I want to be honest with you upfront – my expertise lies elsewhere, so I might not be up to date with all the latest jargon. But you know what? I’ve come to realize that no matter what you say, someone will always find fault with it. So let’s keep it real and focus on the bigger picture.
I have plenty of gay friends, but I’m in a heterosexual relationship, so my viewpoint is naturally different. I’m not one to nitpick over the little details. However, there were a couple of things in the book that didn’t sit well with me. Surprisingly, considering the author’s own journey, I felt that the book didn’t handle the topic of trans people as well as it could have. Additionally, there wasn’t much mention of intersex individuals, and I found some generalizations that leaned towards a male perspective. But hey, overall, I actually enjoyed reading it.
Let me tell you why. This book is big, but it’s a breeze to read. It’s simple and straightforward. I particularly liked the inclusion of statistics, like a graph showing the age at which people first realize their same-sex attraction. It also has a nifty little flowchart that helps answer the question, How do you know if you’re gay? It’s these beginner-friendly elements that make it a great starting point. The book covers a range of topics, from slang and stereotypes to religion and even what happens in the bedroom. Although, I must admit, the female perspective on same-sex encounters could have been more inclusive and less focused on just the physical aspects. But hey, it’s a basic book that touches on a lot of important stuff.
It delves into coming out and offers some personal stories. Plus, it’s sprinkled with funny illustrations and bits that’ll make you chuckle. Now, as a parent, if you’re looking for a book that helps you understand what it means to be gay, gain insight into the culture, language, and stereotypes, as well as the challenges faced by minority groups, then this book is a good choice. Being gay is still considered a minority, and sadly, minorities often face discrimination. So it’s crucial to educate ourselves and our kids about these issues.
Speaking of kids, my own children are growing up, and we have open conversations about love and attraction in our family. We emphasize that it’s normal to fall in love with a man, a woman, both, or even no one at all. It’s just a part of life. That’s why I’ve started looking for books like this one. Many parents have been asking me for recommendations, and I believe it’s important for my kids to have this extra knowledge too. Plus, I’m always eager to expand my own understanding.
So, all in all, I think this book is pretty good. I hope my review has been helpful. Sorry if I rambled on a bit. Take care and catch you later! Bye!
