Understanding Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Rodi, Robert and Laura Ross. Understanding Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. Part of the Living Proud! Growing up LGBTQ series. 2017. 64p. ISBN 978-1-4222-3511-9. Available at 306.76 ROD on the library shelves.

Gender identity and sexual orientation are often confused and used interchangeably. Gender identity refers to how an individual perceives himself or herself, regardless of their genitals at birth. Sexual orientation represents an individual’s attraction, both physically and emotionally, to another individual.

Once considered a mental illness, hoosexuality is now recognized through scientific research as not a choice, but a biological element just as the color of one’s eyes. This recognition, though slow to develop, eventually led to the Supreme Court legalizing gay marriage in 2015. The authors examine traditional understandings of gender and sexual orientation. It discusses the debate of nature versus nurture in one’s sexual preference, as well as the struggles that occurred to secure the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals’ civil rights to a normal life like the rest of American society. Controversies concerning whether being homosexual is a choice are also explored.

With many civil rights now secure, the LGBT community continues to push for normalization and to ensure that everyone has the right to be happy and be in fulfilling relationships with whom they love.

Here We Are: Feminism for the Real World

Jensen, Kelly, Ed. Here We Are: Feminism for the Real World. 2017. 240p. Available at 305.42 JEN on the library shelves.

The word feminism is associated with several ideas, some of them portrayed in the media as negative. But really, what is feminism? What does it mean for young people to declare themselves feminists in the 21st century? This powerful word possesses as many meanings as there are people. Fraught with struggle, feminism is often ignored or not understood by society. The central premise of feminism is that everyone deserves equality, and diversity is not only necessary, it must be encouraged. This collection of 44 different voices attempts to explore, over seven wide ranging themes, some of the aspects of feminism and what it represents for men and women of different faiths, sexual orientations, physical abilities, and experiences.

These feminist voices, including pop culture icons, public figures, and authors eloquently present their views on what being a feminist means to them, and how they live it every day. In formats ranging such as essays, comics, photos, poems, and lists, each writer explores his/her/their emotions on the subject and delves into the complexity inherent in feminism. The stereotypes that abound on the topic of feminism may make it a hard sell to a significant proportion of readers, but with some librarian help getting over that initial hurdle, the reader will find him/her/them-self immersed in a creative exploration of feminism and how one can live with and embody this ideal every day.