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200 Words to Help you Talk about Sexuality & Gender *OSI*
If you have ever felt at a disadvantage when joining in a conversation on a subject that you aren't confident about, this new series is for you. Each book features definitions of two hundred words frequently used to describe and discuss a smart subject. Gender and Sexuality can seem like a big subject to decode. Let Kate Sloan guide you through it.
144 pages, Hardcover
Published May 3, 2022
1 person is currently reading
53 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 11, 2022
A quick and handy guide to terms and concepts present in modern discussion about/by LGBTQ+ people. Well written to be accommodating in both language and scope. Accessibility-wise; short and easy to consume snippet-style (good for ADHD), and written to a higher vocabulary level than most intro/101 type texts (upper highschool+). As a teacher I see good faculty potential for use on PD days and have put a request in to administration for a staff copy, but probably won't seek a copy for the student library due to more academic language and use of terms and concepts the school may deem inappropriate (kink/BDSM). [Canadian author is a bonus though for getting school approval]. Excellent resource for allies, out-of-their-depth older queers in positions of authority and parents to catch up to where many teenagers/undergrads are already at. 5/5
March 27, 2023
Part dictionary and part sociology. It defines the words but also provides context for some, and examples. Most are LGBT+ or related, but there are also non-LGBT ones like cisgender, ally, etc. Even covers topics like misogynoir, stone butch, and more, in some instances giving the source of the term and/or how it is used now, and if it should generally be reserved for use for certain communities only. As someone in the LGBT+ community who has looked up a lot of pride flags, the gender/sexuality specific terms I pretty much knew, but not all the sociological-based ones. There's even (tiny) chapters in here around kink and relationships/family, which include terms like swinging or nibling and squish.
I was especially pleased to see all the additional information around trans labels and transitioning, like the inclusion of gender euphoria, mentioning that the process currently required of trans people to get approved for surgeries is felt by many in the trans community to be overly-medicalized, specifying that not all trans people seek these surgeries (and listing some of the reasons why) but that not doing so doesn't make them any less trans. It was all common sense to me, as someone directly experiencing all this, but for anyone outside the community it's probably not common knowledge at all.
And despite it being 200 words, which sounds like a lot, it's a quick read. A handy little pocket book with each word only taking up half a page generally, with a font size large enough to make it feel like you're flipping pages quickly (rather than trudging through them, like you probably would be if you were trying to read an actual dictionary straight through). The words within each chapter/section aren't listed alphabetically, and that confused me a little bit at first, but most of the terms are actually grouped together by theme, which is probably more helpful. Some terms are mentioned in the definitions of other terms, and instead of having to flip pages to find it, it's often the very next or the previous definition.
I was especially pleased to see all the additional information around trans labels and transitioning, like the inclusion of gender euphoria, mentioning that the process currently required of trans people to get approved for surgeries is felt by many in the trans community to be overly-medicalized, specifying that not all trans people seek these surgeries (and listing some of the reasons why) but that not doing so doesn't make them any less trans. It was all common sense to me, as someone directly experiencing all this, but for anyone outside the community it's probably not common knowledge at all.
And despite it being 200 words, which sounds like a lot, it's a quick read. A handy little pocket book with each word only taking up half a page generally, with a font size large enough to make it feel like you're flipping pages quickly (rather than trudging through them, like you probably would be if you were trying to read an actual dictionary straight through). The words within each chapter/section aren't listed alphabetically, and that confused me a little bit at first, but most of the terms are actually grouped together by theme, which is probably more helpful. Some terms are mentioned in the definitions of other terms, and instead of having to flip pages to find it, it's often the very next or the previous definition.
March 22, 2023
As I mentioned in my review for 101 Kinky Things Even You Can Do (read more about that book here), Kate Sloan is one of my favorite sex writers (her blog is girlyjuice.com). This book provides a concise overview of the words we use when talking about sexuality and gender and is a great primer for folks hoping to learn more but not feel overwhelmed. You could read this from start to finish, or you could read through chapters that interest you most. The chapters are divided into neatly organized sections to make jumping around very easy; for instance: Gender Expression, Biology & Medicine, Attraction & Desire, etc.
If you are looking to expand your knowledge or maybe brush up on what you already know, this is a valuable resource written by a knowledgeable and trusted author.
If you are looking to expand your knowledge or maybe brush up on what you already know, this is a valuable resource written by a knowledgeable and trusted author.
November 28, 2022
A great reference text that gives accessible definitions to terms that can get confusing within the community as well as for allies. I'm so grateful to see that a few terms discuss their problematic connotations, a good example being Sapiosexual.
July 7, 2023
A wonderful guide to discovering one's sexuality and gender. Tons of helpful descriptions and definitions.
June 7, 2025
A really good book to get the basic understanding of terms while being informative and inclusive.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews