Let me tell you a bit about this book. To begin, I wrote a few pages for it and when I was first asked to write a little bit about queer sexuality and trans women, I thought it’d probably be yet another instance of something written just with cis women in mind and one little section mentioning trans women. I was happy to be told that information for trans women would be included in every chapter of the book, freeing my writing to be more than just the basics. Even so, when I got my hands on the final copy last week I was amazed at just how much it exceeded my expectations!
The colorful playful illustrations throughout the book just casually include trans women alongside everyone else. In one of the narrative sections describing sex between an older dyke couple there’s a simple mention about how sex is different for one of them because she has a prostate. In the section on hormones, birth control and transition are discussed in the same paragraph. In the section about post-surgery bodies, hysterectomy, menopause, and vaginoplasty are discussed side by side.
The anatomy chapter uses “phallus” instead of “penis” and the explanation of why includes: “Remember, a clit is basically a small penis. A penis is basically a big clit. And both of them are phalluses.” In the chapters on hand sex and on cunnilingus, there’s a ton of techniques and several pages of discussion about how those techniques may work differently for trans women who haven’t had vaginoplasty (see examples above).
The care put into integrating information for trans women alongside everything else is just one example of all the things this book got right. It also does a great job talking about disability, flirting, consent, healthy relationships, polyamory and monogamy, and more.
A lot of guides can feel a bit academic or bland, in part because they are never written for me. It’s like they are letters written to straight and/or cis folks that I have intercepted and I have to interpret the information and figure out what applies to my life and my body. This was the first time I read a guide and felt it was speaking directly to me.
The fun and friendly tone throughout the book is incredibly inviting, alongside cute stories, small comics, strong encouragement, clear guidance for dealing with difficult situations, and a ton of puns and silly humor. I’ve been teaching sex ed for more than 15 years and there was still a plenty here new to me. I found myself laughing, getting playful, and kinda turned on.
I highly recommend picking up a copy of the book at girlsex101.com and maybe a copy or two for those in your life that can’t afford it. And If you can catch the launch party May 9th in Oakland you should go for it.
oh my god. OH MY GOD!!!!!!!
Highly recommended!
yes please
SHIT I NEED IT
This is both educational and really hot! That’s my favorite kind of educational!
Hmmm, I think I need this.
wow i need this
Hey! Are you a female or non-binary artist of color? Want to get to know more artists like you and share your art (while immersed in a fun, laidback, and welcoming community? :) If so, check out Melanin Collective! We’re a group of nb/female artists of color who showcase all kinds of art via our tumblr (melanincollective).
Super exciting: we’re currently working on our 1st print zine, and so we’re (1) putting out a call for submissions by January 21 and (2) fundraising to have it printed; you can find a link to our gofundme on our tumblr!
Thanks a lot, happy 2015, and we hope to hear from any of you artists out there soon!
i love girls i love trans girls i love intersex girls i love feminine girls and masculine girls and hairy girls and girls who shave always and poc girls and girls who dont know theyre girls yet. i love girls and they are so important. every girl is so important dont ever forget this make 2015 the year girls get the recognition they deserve
