Darcy Combs

If I can say anything about this book, it is that it is important for young adults to have access to books like these. I understand that many parents think this is pornography or has sexual content just for the sake of it, but to me, that is a complete misunderstanding of why this book exists. I read this novel when I was 16, and it has so far been the most comforting and affirming book that I have ever read. At that time, I knew that I was asexual and aromantic (experiencing a lack of or complete non-feeling of sexual and romantic attraction to others), but there was no media that affirmed this identity or made us seem like we weren't cold and unfeeling people. I also knew that I was non-binary, and I didn't want to use they/them pronouns because they didn't suit me, yet it felt like popular media had accepted them as the only pronouns that gender expansive and genderqueer folks could use. Maia Kobabe's bravery in telling eir story is one of the reasons why I can still get up in the morning and be proud of who I am. It is one of the reasons that I feel safer to be myself in public. It is one of the most honest portrayals of queer coming-of-age that I have ever seen. When concerned parents hear that there is sexual content, they might see that and immediately think it is malicious. The truth is, you don't have to read Kobabe's story if you don't want to. You don't have to be comfortable with kids reading sexual content. You have parental discretion. And, an important thing to remember is that they book is largely directed at teens and young adults that are starting to experience sexuality. I know that many people have strong opinions about sex, and that is fine. However, saying that a book needs to be banned from schools outright denies kids the opportunity to see themselves reflected on paper. As much as media has changed a lot in the past couple of years to be more inclusive of queer people, make no mistake, trans people are still killed for their identities, we are still silenced, we are still stereotyped. I'm begging you to change your mind because this book is revolutionary to me and so many other people. We are not deviants. We are not pedophiles. We are not criminals. We are not trying to corrupt children. We are human beings with desires, feelings, and unique characteristics.