Seeing Gender: An Illustrated Guide to Identity and Expression

By Iris Gottlieb

Seeing Gender is an of-the-moment investigation into how we express and understand the complexities of gender today. Deeply researched and fully illustrated, this book demystifies an intensely personal—yet universal—facet of humanity. Illustrating a different concept on each spread, queer author and artist Iris Gottlieb touches on history, science, sociology, and her own experience. This book is an essential tool for understanding and contributing to a necessary cultural conversation, bringing clarity and reassurance to the sometimes confusing process of navigating ones' identity. Whether LGBTQ+, cisgender, or nonbinary, Seeing Gender is a must-read for intelligent, curious, want-to-be woke people who care about how we see and talk about gender and sexuality in the 21st century.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chronicle Books Digital
• Release date: Oct 22, 2019
• ISBN: 9781452176666

Iris Gottlieb

Iris Gottlieb is a Durham, North Carolina-based illustrator and author of Seeing Science (Chronicle Books, 2018) and Natural Attraction (Sasquatch Books, 2017). Her work aims to educate, humor, and provide accessible information through visual storytelling. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Smithsonian Magazine, The Exploratorium, and beyond.

Reviews for Seeing Gender

[Lucy Rodery · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this book. It was so educational, eye opening, and gentle.

[sammusher · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautiful, informative, written by a queer author

[widdersyns · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Cute illustrations. A good primer--even though nothing was new to me, it probably would be to a lot of people. A couple of historical inaccuracies that made me rate it a bit lower.

[aloyacano · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This has been the absolute perfect addition to my classroom LGBT Lending Library. The format is easy to read and makes the information appealing to all readers. I definitely think this is something that should be available to all students if they need it.

[theportports · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is an amazing book, and should be in every middle, high school, and public library. It should be in dorms. In shelters. In doctor's offices. Wherever the public may come across it. Gender, and how it's understanding has evolved in our culture, is so confusing to so many people, young and old alike. It can be intimidating, I think, for people to ask questions; this book give a solid basis for understanding, and if every heart could open to a real perusal of this text ... I think we'd be heading to a great place. Easy to follow, thorough, unblinking, and nicely illustrated. Well done.

[squeex_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Out of all of the books offered on Library Thing the month this was on the list, I hoped I would receive it. It is so full of information and it's helpful. It doesn't preach, it dispenses. And it's not just LGBTQ+, it discusses gender roles, femininity and masculinity, equality vs equity, 1800s clothing, Coco Chanel, Freida Kahlo, slugs, cuttlefish, lions...this is not to make light of the book by any stretch of the imagination. No, all of this and more makes the reading more comprehensible for lack of a better term. Excellent illustrations, a good flow between each chapter. Messages are throughout that it's okay to make mistakes but don't be mean. Do's and Don't's. I liked this book a lot and i can definitely recommend it. It is going on my keeper shelf.

[amniot · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book will definitely change your outlook if you think that all you need to know about gender is that some people feel they have the wrong body so they have surgery and then live happily ever after, as long as they can use their bathroom of choice.It provides an introduction to the vast complexity of gender expression with a series of very short and readable essays on a range of topics. I gave it 5 stars because it accomplishes exactly what the author intended: it provides a snapshot in time of the vocabulary and current understandings of gender as well as her own journey from "AFAB" (assigned female at birth) to "boy," while making it clear that her journey continues. (Note that she identifies as a "boy" - not man - and currently uses feminine pronouns.) And really, a snapshot is the most that we can have. Don't look to this book (or any other) for an encyclopedic and definitive guide, as everything changes too rapidly. For example, I recently became aware of the term "genderfaer," which isn't in the book. Within a few years, it may seem dated, but it will always stand as a report on how things look to one insightful person in 2019. Also don't look to this book for an in-depth memoir. The author mentions a number of biographical details and you will see some post-surgery pictures of her, but mostly she keeps her distance.I'm not sure that this is the book to give to someone who is highly resistant to the concept of gender transition or fluidity. The writing style is somewhat dry and the reader needs to be fairly motivated to keep turning those pages. Also, topics such as abortion are discussed with a certitude that there is one right answer, which could be off-putting to some readers.With those caveats, I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants (or needs) to learn more about gender identity and expression, but recognize that it will only be an introduction.

[lessthn3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I received a copy of this book through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program.I adored this book! As a person who identifies as queer, I was excited to see this book delve into so many topics around gender, in addition to sexuality, race, and other forms of identity. Despite the lighthearted approach with illustrations throughout, the book does not shy away from serious topics including the HB2 bill and intersectionality.I would recommend this book to anyone, regardless of gender, sexuality, race, etc. It could be a valuable resource for those first learning about the difference between gender and biological sex, but it also digs deeper. The book was also very affirming, doing a great job of emphasizing that all identities are valid.

[cattriona · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was an interesting work on gender identity, designed for those who are primary cis-gendered and may have a friend or family member dealing with gender-related issues. They cover everything from pronouns to restroom issues, and highlight a number of famous people, from Prince to David Bowie to Shakespeare to Freida Khalo. Recommended.

[bostonian71 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A very good primer for a very, very complicated subject -- or rather subjects, as this ranges beyond human sexuality and gender identity into racial discrimination, misogyny, and more. Here is a random selection of topics:1800s ClothingThe Myth of Rosie the RiveterAn Ecosystem of Identities Collapsed into Two: How Colonization in North America Imposed a Strong Gender BinaryThe Quiet Southern Epidemic: HIV/AIDS in Black and Latino Gay Male CommunitiesEquality ≠ EquityTemperature-Dependent Sex Determination: A Note About Baby Sea TurtlesDon't be intimidated by the longer titles; the text is straightforward, and most of the topics take only one or two pages, so it's easy to read a bit at a time. I also appreciated the accompanying illustrations, which are both fun and to the point. (Example: to go with a piece on sports, Gottlieb includes two side-by-side drawings: a row of several pink hurdles and a single blue one.)The only thing I wish is that all these topics were listed on the table of contents and not just in the index ... the structure of the book is more associative than linear, so having the organization right up front would make things easier to find, and also highlight how much of a cornucopia the book is.

[geekstress-695933 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

“Seeing Gender” is a must book for everyone. Not only does it help you with your gender pronouns but it provides education for us straight folks about ourselves. Beautifully illustrated and is written for all. Read it, then pass it along. The hardback is fantastic quality and an instant classic to navigate in today’s world.