If you’re expecting an academic manual, you won’t find it here. This book is gay, written by Juno Dawson, is more of a long conversation with that trusted person who tells you things as they are, bluntly and without sugarcoating. The title already warns: it talks about identities, about sexual orientation, about what it is like to live as part of the LGTBIQ+ community, and it does so with a humor that sometimes makes you laugh… and other times, a lump in your throat.
What will you find in this book?
Dawson throws himself into dismantling myths and answering questions that, due to modesty or ignorance, many people do not dare to ask.
- Explains basic concepts about sexuality and gender identity.
- It provides real testimonies that provide closeness.
- Includes practical advice for those who are coming out or accompanying someone in that process.
All with clear, youthful and accessible language, but that does not lose depth.
A success: the author’s voice
What is most engaging is the way Juno Dawson talks to the reader. There is no paternalistic tone or journalistic coldness; here there is complicity. It seems more like a podcast between friends than a “sexual education” book. Furthermore, its approach is inclusive and global: it not only focuses on the British reality, it also reflects on what it means to be part of the collective in less safe contexts.
What made me think
At times, the book feels like a lifeline for someone navigating the confusion of their identity. But it also raises questions that have no single answers: to what extent can prejudices be broken with information alone? Is it possible for a book like this to reach those who really need it or is it trapped in the circle of already sensitized people?
A critical look
Not everything is perfect. Being very aimed at a teenage and young audience, there are times when the tone can be excessively simplified or even somewhat British-centric, which may not connect in the same way with readers from other countries. Additionally, their directness—which for many is a strong point—can clash with people looking for a more discreet approach or with families who still live in conservative environments.
In short, This book is gay is a breath of fresh air for inclusive sexual education, but also a mirror that reflects how much remains to be done. It may not resolve all debates, but it certainly opens the door to having them.
