☛ Cette critique est aussi disponible en français [➦].

Translated by Gabrielle Baillargeon-Michaud. 

A family member approaches you one day and asks, "Do you have any book recommendations on non-binarity?" Unsure what might appeal to them, you visit several bookstores, even delving into the children's section to find the right book. That is when you stumble upon Gender Queer.

Written and illustrated by Maia Kobabe, Gender Queer: A Memoir was released in 2019 in the United States. In 2020, the book received an Alex Award¹ and was a finalist for the Stonewall Book Award for non-fiction². Kobabe clarifies the concept of non-binarity, which is often misunderstood by the people around them, employing their medium of choice: the comic book. The narrative unfolds, chronicling Kobabe's formative years and intimate thoughts, from their discovery of David Bowie and their first crushes to the ordeal of menstruation. The protagonist, Maia, outlines an adolescence marked by an as-yet unrecognized gender dysphoria.

Kobabe not only narrates these experiences but also engages in profound introspection regarding the insights derived from them. Their story adopts an educational flavor. For example, they describe the physical discomfort associated with chest binding, the array of makeshift solutions employed, and the attendant risks of binding too tight or for too long. Having not had access to this information before themselves, they now explain both the psychological and technical aspects of this practice. They guide potential trans and non-binary readers seeking enlightenment or advice, and elucidate the multifaceted issues surrounding gender dysphoria for ally readers.

Currently identifying as asexual, Kobabe experiences attraction less frequently than their counterparts and regards the concept of sexuality with more trepidation than anticipation. Through this comic, Kobabe introspects on the spectrum of desires, or the absence thereof, unveiling initial queer attractions, fantasies, and discomfort with sexual toys. Some interactions evolve into romantic narratives, yet an underlying discomfort resurfaces until Kobabe stops their reflections.

As the narrative draws close, we recognize that Kobabe may not uncover all the answers sought through introspection. Yet, the overriding revelation is one of self-acceptance. Simultaneously, a friend misinterprets non-binarity as "internalized misogyny" and forces Kobabe to articulate the reasons for their transgender identity. In the following pages, they receive a scientific explanation from a biology professor. "I was born this way," Kobabe acknowledges, a realization imbued with relief.

Accordingly, Gender Queer transcends mere self-representation. This book transcends a mere informative account of a non-binary person's journey of self-discovery. It serves as a compelling rebuttal to those who question the legitimacy of non-binary identities. 

This observation hits harder as a reader when you consider the backlash and censorship this work has faced, particularly in some U.S. states³.

Through an intensely personal narrative, Maia Kobabe confronts and demystifies non-binarity for the uninitiated, crafting a narrative that is not only poignant but universally accessible and visually compelling.

¹ https://www.ala.org/yalsa/2020-alex-awards

² https://www.ala.org/rt/rrt/award/stonewall/honored

³ https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/01/books/maia-kobabe-gender-queer-book-ban.html

Reference

Author : Maia Kobabe
Title : Gender Queer: A Memoir
Date of parution : May 24, 2019 (original edition) - July 5, 2022 (French edition)
Publishing house : Oni press

This graphic novel is available in bookstores for $33.99 and in libraries.