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Queer Up: An Uplifting Guide to LGBTQ+ Love, Life and Mental Health
A positive and uplifting book for young people who are queer or curious - and their allies looking to support them.
In this empowering and uplifting book, award-winning podcaster Alexis Caught sets out to help queer and curious teenagers explore their LGBTQ+ identity and understanding. Alongside the author's personal experiences are first-hand stories from notable LGBTQ+ figures, providing a inclusive account of what it means to grow up queer. With chapters on questioning, coming out, friends and family, love, sex, shame, pride and allyship, this is insightful, thoughtful and reassuring book is essential reading for any questioning teen and their allies looking to support them.
In this empowering and uplifting book, award-winning podcaster Alexis Caught sets out to help queer and curious teenagers explore their LGBTQ+ identity and understanding. Alongside the author's personal experiences are first-hand stories from notable LGBTQ+ figures, providing a inclusive account of what it means to grow up queer. With chapters on questioning, coming out, friends and family, love, sex, shame, pride and allyship, this is insightful, thoughtful and reassuring book is essential reading for any questioning teen and their allies looking to support them.
250 pages, Paperback
First published January 20, 2022
36 people are currently reading
680 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
January 16, 2022
did not expect to sob by the end of this book
January 6, 2022
‘Well, this is about 27 years too late isn’t it.’ That’s all I could help but think when reading this book.
This is a complete guide to the social, emotional and political complexities of learning to navigate life as an LGBTQ+ person (or in very helpful sections, as an ally.) This contains everything I needed to know as a young teen that Thatcher and Section 28 denied me. This would have made me less alone, and so much more ready for the world.
The writer is Alexis Caught, who is I feel, compared to me, to good to be true. He’s a mental health professional, LGBTQ+ activist and public speaker. Extra to this book and specifically to aggravate me, he’s also a rugby player, skincare expert, extraordinarily good looking, and worst of all, from his social media - kind and empathetic.
Normally it would be unfair for someone to be this perfect, but this book is so relatable and personal in its approach, that it’s not just educational and helpful, but it’s also a pleasure to read and get to know Caught through his writing.
Covering gay and trans alike it discusses coming out, queer history, mental health, sex, consent, pronouns - as well as harder hitting topics such as bullying and family rejection. The book is respectful, inclusive, helpful and useful. Where Caught doesn’t have first hand knowledge of an issue or identity, other members of the community are invited to write to their own experiences - all are equally as pitch perfect as the main text.
I now want to be in a best friend group with Charlie Craggs and Kuchenga - and you CANNOT tell me otherwise.
Finally, I cried at the Afterword. A bloody afterword…
Russell T Davies has written a beautiful piece about coming out and grief that is one of the best short form pieces I’ve read in a long time, full of warmth, humour and emotion. A perfect cap to a book essential for all secondary school and sixth form libraries.
Librarians, please please please consider stocking this book. It will literally save lives.
Ebook review copy was #gifted by publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is a complete guide to the social, emotional and political complexities of learning to navigate life as an LGBTQ+ person (or in very helpful sections, as an ally.) This contains everything I needed to know as a young teen that Thatcher and Section 28 denied me. This would have made me less alone, and so much more ready for the world.
The writer is Alexis Caught, who is I feel, compared to me, to good to be true. He’s a mental health professional, LGBTQ+ activist and public speaker. Extra to this book and specifically to aggravate me, he’s also a rugby player, skincare expert, extraordinarily good looking, and worst of all, from his social media - kind and empathetic.
Normally it would be unfair for someone to be this perfect, but this book is so relatable and personal in its approach, that it’s not just educational and helpful, but it’s also a pleasure to read and get to know Caught through his writing.
Covering gay and trans alike it discusses coming out, queer history, mental health, sex, consent, pronouns - as well as harder hitting topics such as bullying and family rejection. The book is respectful, inclusive, helpful and useful. Where Caught doesn’t have first hand knowledge of an issue or identity, other members of the community are invited to write to their own experiences - all are equally as pitch perfect as the main text.
I now want to be in a best friend group with Charlie Craggs and Kuchenga - and you CANNOT tell me otherwise.
Finally, I cried at the Afterword. A bloody afterword…
Russell T Davies has written a beautiful piece about coming out and grief that is one of the best short form pieces I’ve read in a long time, full of warmth, humour and emotion. A perfect cap to a book essential for all secondary school and sixth form libraries.
Librarians, please please please consider stocking this book. It will literally save lives.
Ebook review copy was #gifted by publisher in exchange for an honest review.
March 29, 2022
This book is rather like a brilliant Bible. It goes through all the questions that may spin around in ones head, for those who are LGBTQ+.
I highly recommend this book, through the contents of this non-fiction book, Questioning, The T in LBG, Coming Out, Families and Friends, It Must Be Love, Let’s Talk About It, Happy and Gay, Pride, Allyship, Afterword, Resources and Support Service, Acknowledgements.
This book will help you get the answers that you are in need of. One of the really big questions from 14year olds up is are you queer? That includes are you a lesbian, Trans Gay, Bisexual or perhaps none of these but something else not quite straight.
The L to the + of the queer alphabet is shown in full detail.
However no one should worry what their sexuality is, as there is evidence of the same-sex attraction, and marriage from the ancient world.
A lot of queer people will ask is it normal? Well a recent study of a census data showed that the LGBTQ+ community makes up roughly one in ten of the population.
I would like to think good in of all us straight people, that we all would accept any queer people in the LGBTQ+
I’m really pleased that Alexis Caught has written this this guide to LGBTQ+ people as nothing like this has been written before.
I would like to thank Walker for sending me this book to read and review
I highly recommend this book, through the contents of this non-fiction book, Questioning, The T in LBG, Coming Out, Families and Friends, It Must Be Love, Let’s Talk About It, Happy and Gay, Pride, Allyship, Afterword, Resources and Support Service, Acknowledgements.
This book will help you get the answers that you are in need of. One of the really big questions from 14year olds up is are you queer? That includes are you a lesbian, Trans Gay, Bisexual or perhaps none of these but something else not quite straight.
The L to the + of the queer alphabet is shown in full detail.
However no one should worry what their sexuality is, as there is evidence of the same-sex attraction, and marriage from the ancient world.
A lot of queer people will ask is it normal? Well a recent study of a census data showed that the LGBTQ+ community makes up roughly one in ten of the population.
I would like to think good in of all us straight people, that we all would accept any queer people in the LGBTQ+
I’m really pleased that Alexis Caught has written this this guide to LGBTQ+ people as nothing like this has been written before.
I would like to thank Walker for sending me this book to read and review
May 10, 2022
Impressed by this book I found at the library. It is written in a very approachable and positive voice, which makes sense since aimed partly at a young public. I’m finding it excellent, especially since the author added a variety of testimonies, tips on mental health, and advice for allies too, doing all this in an encouraging manner.
July 3, 2025
I picked Queer Up: An Uplifting Guide to LGBTQ+ Love, Life and Mental Health from the library's Pride Month display because I was curious about how it is for the young people these days. It seems like the author is a millennial, as like me he grew up in Britain with Section 28. This law passed by Margaret Thatcher forbade public sector employees from 'promoting homosexuality'. So there were no books like this in school or public libraries and teachers never mentioned sexualities other than straight in any context. I blame this law for the farcical insistence of my classics teacher that Achilles was behaving like a straight bro when avenging Patroclus' death in the Iliad.
Britain remains a homophobic and especially transphobic place, but in the 2020s there isn't the same silence around queerness that I recall from my school years. Instead there is a culture war inflected cacophony online, which creates very different challenges for teenagers today. I would not want to be young in this age of algorithmic social media, but queerness definitely isn't invisible in the way it could be in the 1990s and early 00s. The same goes for mental health: this book includes acknowledgement of mental illness and offers breathing and grounding exercises. Again, not something that got mentioned in my teens, despite there being no law against teachers doing so. Thus it was sort of surreal yet hopeful to read this thoughtful, kind guide for teens who are questioning their sexuality and/or gender. It struck me as a good support for them, full of practical advice and signposts to further information, the kind of thing that should be in school libraries. Plus the afterword by Russell T. Davies was genuinely moving.
Britain remains a homophobic and especially transphobic place, but in the 2020s there isn't the same silence around queerness that I recall from my school years. Instead there is a culture war inflected cacophony online, which creates very different challenges for teenagers today. I would not want to be young in this age of algorithmic social media, but queerness definitely isn't invisible in the way it could be in the 1990s and early 00s. The same goes for mental health: this book includes acknowledgement of mental illness and offers breathing and grounding exercises. Again, not something that got mentioned in my teens, despite there being no law against teachers doing so. Thus it was sort of surreal yet hopeful to read this thoughtful, kind guide for teens who are questioning their sexuality and/or gender. It struck me as a good support for them, full of practical advice and signposts to further information, the kind of thing that should be in school libraries. Plus the afterword by Russell T. Davies was genuinely moving.
May 19, 2025
A lovely beginners guide but alas, I am not a beginner. This would have been amazing for me 10 years ago. Still relevant now tho, to learn how to be the best ally and I think all allies and baby gays should read it.
Repetitive at times but good nonetheless. Russell T Davies’ afterword was certainly the highlight for me.
Repetitive at times but good nonetheless. Russell T Davies’ afterword was certainly the highlight for me.
July 18, 2024
God, ever since I saw this book on shelves I really, really hoped I'd like it. I didn’t even know it was published so recently - 2022 - and yet, the amount of inaccuracies in this book are astounding. It feels like it was written in 2015, or maybe even earlier.
First of all, right off the bat. The phrase “not entirely heterosexual” crops up more than once. Meaning what exactly? I am bisexual, and I am not AT ALL heterosexual. Not half, not a bit. Not at ALL. Unless the author meant it in the literal sense of experiencing attraction to the opposite sex, which depending on your definition of bisexuality, may come into play. But Jesus Christ, when describing a group of people who continually have to fight the claims that they are “half straight”, use a better fucking turn of phrase.
Including allies in the LGBTQ+ acronym is quite frankly disgusting. Allies aren’t a part of the queer community, because they are not queer. Allies are literally regular people. They aren’t special enough to deserve a part of the acronym, they are just normal people who are cishet, as opposed to the normal people who are not cishet - those within the community. Accepting gay people does not make you special, or deserving of your own flag or space in the gay community. Accepting gay people is normal behaviour. It doesn’t need praising or rewarding. If you DON’T accept gay people, YOU’RE the unusual one.
What the fuck is sapiosexual? It takes me back to that weird thing that happened about ten years ago where people were pretending metrosexuality was a thing because straight women were attracted to men who washed. Sapiosexual, according to the author’s description (which, bear in mind, could be extremely inaccurate if the rest of the descriptions are anything to go by), just sounds like being pan.
Lesbians are not just “women attracted to women”, as by that logic, I’d be a lesbian. Lesbians are women ONLY attracted to women, or to be precise, anyone fem-aligned ONLY attracted to anyone fem-aligned. Ditto gay men.
Bisexual people are not attracted to the “male and female genders”. Male and female are sexes, not genders. And bi people are usually attracted to more than two genders - often all of them.
The explanation for pansexuality is weird and confusing and wrong. It would’ve been so much easier just to describe it as being a sub-label under the multisexual umbrella - you’re attracted to all genders, with zero preference or difference in attraction. Done. Not whatever the fuck the author wrote.
“Like ace, anyone of any sexuality can be demi”. What? Ace people can’t be any sexuality - they’re ACE, that’s the sexuality! If you mean they can be romantically attracted to any gender, say that.
And bear in mind, readers, all of these painful inaccuracies occur within the first few pages of the book.
Yikes.
2022! It came out THIS YEAR. Twitter alone can give you more correct and up to date information within 5 minutes than this author seems to have grasped from God knows where. It is honestly embarrassing and more so, hugely disappointing as I was really looking forward to reading this book.
Moving on. Weird mindfulness and breathing exercises - which are my utter pet peeve - abound. All because the author works with some charity. That shit isn’t real and doesn’t work. And this is coming from someone who uses healing crystals and burns rosemary to cleanse their bedroom.
DID SOMEONE WRITING A QUEER BOOK IN 2022 JUST USE THE PHASE “BOTH GENDERS”? (page 29). AGGHHHHH!!!!
“A recent study showed queer people make up 1 in 10 of the population”. How recent was this study? 1974? In Gen Z, queer people make up OVER HALF of the population. That’s like, 6 in 10, not 1! And even among millennials and older people, it’s 1 in 3.
As if the author said “one of the confusing things is that [you can be trans without being gay]”. Quite literally WHO is confused by that? If you comprehend gender and sexuality as different entities - like, the fact you can be both a girl and straight, or a man and gay - it isn’t confusing at all. Trans obviously isn’t a gender, it’s an adjective for whether your gender is the one you were assigned at birth or a different one, but whatever.
Why does the author keep putting “non binary / genderfluid” like they’re the same thing in any way? Non binary is an umbrella term, which encompasses genderfluid, but even if you’re using non binary as a specific example of an identity, it isn’t the same as gender fluidity.
Even one of the trans people in this book uses the phrase “opposite gender”! I mean, for the love of the Lord. When are we going to stop entertaining this idea? The gender binary doesn’t exist. Men and women aren’t at opposite ends of the spectrum, because there is no straight-line spectrum, it’s all just individual little identities blobbing around in outer space. Pretending there’s a straight-line spectrum with man on one end and woman on the other implies that all non binary people exist inbetween. Then where are agender people? Or literally any of the people whose genders simply don't exist between being men and being women?
Using the phrase “girlfriend/boyfriend” in a QUEER book?? It’s even more frustrating than when cishets do it. It’s literally longer and more unnecessarily convoluted than just saying “partner”, which easily covers all bases. Also. QUEER. BOOK. You shouldn’t be excluding non-binary people, full stop.
Talking about embarrassing things you did to people, and even ways you personally hurt them, in a book you’re publishing - and naming them?! That feels really low.
As is the case all too often in many books, the author has absolutely no clue how to punctuate - there are commas where there should be semicolons, and commas where there should be nothing at all. Do you not have an editor? Does your editor not know how to use punctuation either? My Lord. I despair of you.
There is a whole chapter that goes on and on with the same phrases you see on Instagram every 5 minutes on those pastel-coloured backgrounds in deliberately unaggressive rounded fonts - “self-care is a revolutionary act”, etc. which is somewhat irritating. I have felt this way for years: as someone with a real mental illness, shit like this is just extremely patronising. Sure, some of it may be true, like looking after yourself will inevitably make you feel better than you will if you’re not, but anxiety can’t really be cured, and it shouldn’t be treated like a fleeting thing that will go away if you have a bath or a cup of tea. It’s so offensive.
What the fuck is that part (page 181) about how if you say you “have anxiety”, that means you’re gonna give yourself an anxiety disorder…? No shit, I already have one. This sounds like toxic positivity to the extreme, not to use one of the cringe millennial-focused instagram phrases I just condemned. You need to be realistic about health and disabilities. That’s like telling someone with a broken leg not to say their leg is broken, or else their leg might… break? This, again, is deeply patronising and insulting. I suffer with anxiety. It ruins my fucking life. What’s even worse is that the author immediately follows with some shit about affirmations. People with real fucking crippling anxiety disorders don’t need your fucking affirmations! Leave us the fuck alone! Hell, this shitty author is turning my review into a rant about my own health (or lack thereof). Fuck you.
I have to praise some sections, however. I thought the coming out section was wonderfully written and some of the advice was really important, especially the emphasis on the fact you don’t ever have to come out, and the advice for how allies should respond to being come out to.
I liked the part by Peter Tatchell, who I hadn’t previously heard of - very inspiring.
I appreciate all the statistics, though it’s hard to trust that they’re accurate when I know some of the others to be far from true. Work on that.
I did like the part on allyship and the list of things allies can do, and also, most importantly, the point that "ally" isn’t a one-and-done label, it’s a VERB, to be practised and proven.
Ironically, considering the part I was talking about before, there is a section (written by someone else, but still) that contains this (gorgeous) passage: “Asking to be congratulated for being an ally is like asking for a prize for not kicking a dog in the street. It shouldn’t be, and should never have been, something to be congratulated for; it should be the norm.” This person (Scarlett Curtis) has a better grasp on both punctuation and the concept of allyship than the book’s actual author, who, as I earlier noted, added allies into the LGBTQ+ acronym. The A stands for agender, aromantic, asexual - not ally.
I’m sure many, many other people reading this book were largely disappointed (and stunned) by the mass of mistakes in it, so if i missed any, let me know. And please recommend better, more accurate books.
To conclude: I had the privilege (ha) of reading this book as a library borrow, so I don't in fact own my own copy. I may seek out a second-hand copy (and heavily annotate the incorrect bits), but wouldn’t spend my money on it first hand - at least, not at full price.
First of all, right off the bat. The phrase “not entirely heterosexual” crops up more than once. Meaning what exactly? I am bisexual, and I am not AT ALL heterosexual. Not half, not a bit. Not at ALL. Unless the author meant it in the literal sense of experiencing attraction to the opposite sex, which depending on your definition of bisexuality, may come into play. But Jesus Christ, when describing a group of people who continually have to fight the claims that they are “half straight”, use a better fucking turn of phrase.
Including allies in the LGBTQ+ acronym is quite frankly disgusting. Allies aren’t a part of the queer community, because they are not queer. Allies are literally regular people. They aren’t special enough to deserve a part of the acronym, they are just normal people who are cishet, as opposed to the normal people who are not cishet - those within the community. Accepting gay people does not make you special, or deserving of your own flag or space in the gay community. Accepting gay people is normal behaviour. It doesn’t need praising or rewarding. If you DON’T accept gay people, YOU’RE the unusual one.
What the fuck is sapiosexual? It takes me back to that weird thing that happened about ten years ago where people were pretending metrosexuality was a thing because straight women were attracted to men who washed. Sapiosexual, according to the author’s description (which, bear in mind, could be extremely inaccurate if the rest of the descriptions are anything to go by), just sounds like being pan.
Lesbians are not just “women attracted to women”, as by that logic, I’d be a lesbian. Lesbians are women ONLY attracted to women, or to be precise, anyone fem-aligned ONLY attracted to anyone fem-aligned. Ditto gay men.
Bisexual people are not attracted to the “male and female genders”. Male and female are sexes, not genders. And bi people are usually attracted to more than two genders - often all of them.
The explanation for pansexuality is weird and confusing and wrong. It would’ve been so much easier just to describe it as being a sub-label under the multisexual umbrella - you’re attracted to all genders, with zero preference or difference in attraction. Done. Not whatever the fuck the author wrote.
“Like ace, anyone of any sexuality can be demi”. What? Ace people can’t be any sexuality - they’re ACE, that’s the sexuality! If you mean they can be romantically attracted to any gender, say that.
And bear in mind, readers, all of these painful inaccuracies occur within the first few pages of the book.
Yikes.
2022! It came out THIS YEAR. Twitter alone can give you more correct and up to date information within 5 minutes than this author seems to have grasped from God knows where. It is honestly embarrassing and more so, hugely disappointing as I was really looking forward to reading this book.
Moving on. Weird mindfulness and breathing exercises - which are my utter pet peeve - abound. All because the author works with some charity. That shit isn’t real and doesn’t work. And this is coming from someone who uses healing crystals and burns rosemary to cleanse their bedroom.
DID SOMEONE WRITING A QUEER BOOK IN 2022 JUST USE THE PHASE “BOTH GENDERS”? (page 29). AGGHHHHH!!!!
“A recent study showed queer people make up 1 in 10 of the population”. How recent was this study? 1974? In Gen Z, queer people make up OVER HALF of the population. That’s like, 6 in 10, not 1! And even among millennials and older people, it’s 1 in 3.
As if the author said “one of the confusing things is that [you can be trans without being gay]”. Quite literally WHO is confused by that? If you comprehend gender and sexuality as different entities - like, the fact you can be both a girl and straight, or a man and gay - it isn’t confusing at all. Trans obviously isn’t a gender, it’s an adjective for whether your gender is the one you were assigned at birth or a different one, but whatever.
Why does the author keep putting “non binary / genderfluid” like they’re the same thing in any way? Non binary is an umbrella term, which encompasses genderfluid, but even if you’re using non binary as a specific example of an identity, it isn’t the same as gender fluidity.
Even one of the trans people in this book uses the phrase “opposite gender”! I mean, for the love of the Lord. When are we going to stop entertaining this idea? The gender binary doesn’t exist. Men and women aren’t at opposite ends of the spectrum, because there is no straight-line spectrum, it’s all just individual little identities blobbing around in outer space. Pretending there’s a straight-line spectrum with man on one end and woman on the other implies that all non binary people exist inbetween. Then where are agender people? Or literally any of the people whose genders simply don't exist between being men and being women?
Using the phrase “girlfriend/boyfriend” in a QUEER book?? It’s even more frustrating than when cishets do it. It’s literally longer and more unnecessarily convoluted than just saying “partner”, which easily covers all bases. Also. QUEER. BOOK. You shouldn’t be excluding non-binary people, full stop.
Talking about embarrassing things you did to people, and even ways you personally hurt them, in a book you’re publishing - and naming them?! That feels really low.
As is the case all too often in many books, the author has absolutely no clue how to punctuate - there are commas where there should be semicolons, and commas where there should be nothing at all. Do you not have an editor? Does your editor not know how to use punctuation either? My Lord. I despair of you.
There is a whole chapter that goes on and on with the same phrases you see on Instagram every 5 minutes on those pastel-coloured backgrounds in deliberately unaggressive rounded fonts - “self-care is a revolutionary act”, etc. which is somewhat irritating. I have felt this way for years: as someone with a real mental illness, shit like this is just extremely patronising. Sure, some of it may be true, like looking after yourself will inevitably make you feel better than you will if you’re not, but anxiety can’t really be cured, and it shouldn’t be treated like a fleeting thing that will go away if you have a bath or a cup of tea. It’s so offensive.
What the fuck is that part (page 181) about how if you say you “have anxiety”, that means you’re gonna give yourself an anxiety disorder…? No shit, I already have one. This sounds like toxic positivity to the extreme, not to use one of the cringe millennial-focused instagram phrases I just condemned. You need to be realistic about health and disabilities. That’s like telling someone with a broken leg not to say their leg is broken, or else their leg might… break? This, again, is deeply patronising and insulting. I suffer with anxiety. It ruins my fucking life. What’s even worse is that the author immediately follows with some shit about affirmations. People with real fucking crippling anxiety disorders don’t need your fucking affirmations! Leave us the fuck alone! Hell, this shitty author is turning my review into a rant about my own health (or lack thereof). Fuck you.
I have to praise some sections, however. I thought the coming out section was wonderfully written and some of the advice was really important, especially the emphasis on the fact you don’t ever have to come out, and the advice for how allies should respond to being come out to.
I liked the part by Peter Tatchell, who I hadn’t previously heard of - very inspiring.
I appreciate all the statistics, though it’s hard to trust that they’re accurate when I know some of the others to be far from true. Work on that.
I did like the part on allyship and the list of things allies can do, and also, most importantly, the point that "ally" isn’t a one-and-done label, it’s a VERB, to be practised and proven.
Ironically, considering the part I was talking about before, there is a section (written by someone else, but still) that contains this (gorgeous) passage: “Asking to be congratulated for being an ally is like asking for a prize for not kicking a dog in the street. It shouldn’t be, and should never have been, something to be congratulated for; it should be the norm.” This person (Scarlett Curtis) has a better grasp on both punctuation and the concept of allyship than the book’s actual author, who, as I earlier noted, added allies into the LGBTQ+ acronym. The A stands for agender, aromantic, asexual - not ally.
I’m sure many, many other people reading this book were largely disappointed (and stunned) by the mass of mistakes in it, so if i missed any, let me know. And please recommend better, more accurate books.
To conclude: I had the privilege (ha) of reading this book as a library borrow, so I don't in fact own my own copy. I may seek out a second-hand copy (and heavily annotate the incorrect bits), but wouldn’t spend my money on it first hand - at least, not at full price.
October 7, 2023
The perfect book for children and teenagers questioning their sexuality or trying to come to terms with it! It gives amazing information and it focuses on self-love and self-care and does that in a great way.
I wouldn’t call it an uplifting guide personally, it made me quite sad at multiple points, but it definitely feels like an encyclopedia/bible on being queer.
I love the therapeutic points of this book. There are lots of affirmations and I saw the steps from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in some chapters. I can see this book helping lots of people who are struggling with accepting themselves or who are struggling with the fact that they don’t know what label fits them best.
At some points, I felt like I was being talked to like I was a child. Maybe I (I’m 24) am not the age group this book was written for, but that isn’t mentioned in the book (I think?). I would personally recommend it mostly to people under the age of 16.
I wouldn’t call it an uplifting guide personally, it made me quite sad at multiple points, but it definitely feels like an encyclopedia/bible on being queer.
I love the therapeutic points of this book. There are lots of affirmations and I saw the steps from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in some chapters. I can see this book helping lots of people who are struggling with accepting themselves or who are struggling with the fact that they don’t know what label fits them best.
At some points, I felt like I was being talked to like I was a child. Maybe I (I’m 24) am not the age group this book was written for, but that isn’t mentioned in the book (I think?). I would personally recommend it mostly to people under the age of 16.
May 10, 2024
Suurepäraselt kirjutatud ja võrratult tasakaalustatud raamat, kus leidub informatsiooni nii sellele, kes avastab iseennast, kui ka neile, kes tahavad lihtsalt LGBTQ+ teemasid paremini mõista. Ehkki kaanel on toodud ära vaid üks autor, on raamatus lugusid ka paljudelt teistelt LGBTQ+ kogukonna liikmetelt, nii et igast teemast räägib tegelikult selle sees olev inimene.
Lisaks paistis raamat välja imelise vorminduse küljelt ning seal oli väga palju vaimset tervist toetavaid praktikaid, mida võiks rakendada tegelikult kõik. Mulle meeldis!
Lisaks paistis raamat välja imelise vorminduse küljelt ning seal oli väga palju vaimset tervist toetavaid praktikaid, mida võiks rakendada tegelikult kõik. Mulle meeldis!
December 13, 2024
This is a really insightful little book, especially, for younger LGBTQ+ readers or allies.
It is very accessible and an easy read with a lot of topics covert and good advice growing up queer.
For me it got stronger in the end, the parts concerning pride and allyship were fantastic.
"Not my story" by Scarlett Curtis was a highlight of the book.
Sadly the chapter "the T of LGB..." didn't really work for me.
It lacked a clear direction and the used comparisons were just not good or accurate.
Still this is a very important book and I recommend it highly to everyone, not just LGBTQ+ people.
It is very accessible and an easy read with a lot of topics covert and good advice growing up queer.
For me it got stronger in the end, the parts concerning pride and allyship were fantastic.
"Not my story" by Scarlett Curtis was a highlight of the book.
Sadly the chapter "the T of LGB..." didn't really work for me.
It lacked a clear direction and the used comparisons were just not good or accurate.
Still this is a very important book and I recommend it highly to everyone, not just LGBTQ+ people.
March 3, 2024
This is the book I needed in my early teen years! Although it wasn’t so relevant to me now, I know my younger self would’ve found this so reassuring.
August 11, 2023
Lovely book in concept, but there are some things I would personally change about it, and a lot of stuff to add to make this feel like a complete book.
For example, I feel like trans people are cut short in here. There is one chapter specifically about being trans, but in other chapters where this also plays an important role and changes experiences by a lot, it‘s not really mentioned (like during the dating and sex chapter).
Plus, asexuality was only mentioned twice iirc, once when some letters of the LGBTQ+ acronym were explained, and one or two sentences during the sex chapter. I would have personally liked a little more info on that! And in addition to that, which I found even more shocking, the word „aromantic“ did not appear once in this book. Which is a bit sad given they even added „Allies“ to explain the A on the acronym page. So it‘s not on there, and not AT ALL mentioned in the dating and romance chapter, where I thought it would have been really important to at least mention shortly. Especially given how society constantly pushes people to be in relationships, even if that‘s not for them at all (plus it would have been cool to have a little explanation for queerplatonic relationships in there. It would have fit so well!! And most allies still don’t know what it is).
So overall, if you’re interested in knowing more about the basics of LGBTQ+ things, this book is a good start. The „Advice for Allies“ and mental health tips sections really help with that as well. However, there is so much more to it, and I think if there was an updated version of this book which changed some outdated terms and added more necessary info to it, it would genuinely be a great book since its concept is very good, informative and captivating.
For example, I feel like trans people are cut short in here. There is one chapter specifically about being trans, but in other chapters where this also plays an important role and changes experiences by a lot, it‘s not really mentioned (like during the dating and sex chapter).
Plus, asexuality was only mentioned twice iirc, once when some letters of the LGBTQ+ acronym were explained, and one or two sentences during the sex chapter. I would have personally liked a little more info on that! And in addition to that, which I found even more shocking, the word „aromantic“ did not appear once in this book. Which is a bit sad given they even added „Allies“ to explain the A on the acronym page. So it‘s not on there, and not AT ALL mentioned in the dating and romance chapter, where I thought it would have been really important to at least mention shortly. Especially given how society constantly pushes people to be in relationships, even if that‘s not for them at all (plus it would have been cool to have a little explanation for queerplatonic relationships in there. It would have fit so well!! And most allies still don’t know what it is).
So overall, if you’re interested in knowing more about the basics of LGBTQ+ things, this book is a good start. The „Advice for Allies“ and mental health tips sections really help with that as well. However, there is so much more to it, and I think if there was an updated version of this book which changed some outdated terms and added more necessary info to it, it would genuinely be a great book since its concept is very good, informative and captivating.
May 18, 2022
“Equality for some is not good enough, it has to be equality for all.”
Alexis Caught’s Queer Up is a guide for young people who want to learn more about the LGBT+ community. Queer Up covers topics such as coming out, sex, self care, and how to be a good ally. The book would be a perfect addition to any school library - it’s clear, well organised and easy to understand. However, it is important to keep in mind that the information in the book is intended for a UK audience - for example, Queer Up states that the age of consent is 16, and in Australia (where I live), the age of consent is 17 in some states. Some of the resources listed in the back of the book may also be inaccessible for those outside of the UK.
What I liked best about Queer Up is it’s emphasis on self care and self love. Through out the book, Caught repeatedly reminds readers that what is most important is their own safety and well being. Caught even walks the reader through practical activities that they can do for their mental health, such as grounding and breathing exercises.
My only complaint is that I felt the chapter of the book on sex and intimacy could have been expanded. Though I was impressed that Queer Up covered topics such as consent (in detail and with the appropriate weight the topic deserves) and pornography, the chapter as a whole was quite vague. From what I understand (I graduated high school over a decade ago, so I’m sure things have changed a lot since my time), sex education programs in high schools are still woefully lacking in LGBT+ content and young people are still forced to look elsewhere for specific information regarding their sexual health. While topics such as douching, oral sex and STIs are mentioned, they’re sort of glossed over. The book feels targeted towards younger adolescents who are a few years away from becoming sexually actively, rather than those looking to begin their sex lives in the near future.
Overall, Queer Up is a great book that feels both extremely current, and accessible. Though it faces some tough topics, such as bullying and mental health, it’s an overwhelmingly positive book that reassures readers that they are not alone in their struggles. I would love to see Caught expand upon Queer Up - perhaps by releasing a part two, which addresses topics that Caught did not have time to go into, or maybe by creating international editions with resources specific to the countries in which the book is sold. I would recommend Queer Up to teachers, young people (both queer and straight), parents - and anyone who works with teenagers.
Alexis Caught’s Queer Up is a guide for young people who want to learn more about the LGBT+ community. Queer Up covers topics such as coming out, sex, self care, and how to be a good ally. The book would be a perfect addition to any school library - it’s clear, well organised and easy to understand. However, it is important to keep in mind that the information in the book is intended for a UK audience - for example, Queer Up states that the age of consent is 16, and in Australia (where I live), the age of consent is 17 in some states. Some of the resources listed in the back of the book may also be inaccessible for those outside of the UK.
What I liked best about Queer Up is it’s emphasis on self care and self love. Through out the book, Caught repeatedly reminds readers that what is most important is their own safety and well being. Caught even walks the reader through practical activities that they can do for their mental health, such as grounding and breathing exercises.
My only complaint is that I felt the chapter of the book on sex and intimacy could have been expanded. Though I was impressed that Queer Up covered topics such as consent (in detail and with the appropriate weight the topic deserves) and pornography, the chapter as a whole was quite vague. From what I understand (I graduated high school over a decade ago, so I’m sure things have changed a lot since my time), sex education programs in high schools are still woefully lacking in LGBT+ content and young people are still forced to look elsewhere for specific information regarding their sexual health. While topics such as douching, oral sex and STIs are mentioned, they’re sort of glossed over. The book feels targeted towards younger adolescents who are a few years away from becoming sexually actively, rather than those looking to begin their sex lives in the near future.
Overall, Queer Up is a great book that feels both extremely current, and accessible. Though it faces some tough topics, such as bullying and mental health, it’s an overwhelmingly positive book that reassures readers that they are not alone in their struggles. I would love to see Caught expand upon Queer Up - perhaps by releasing a part two, which addresses topics that Caught did not have time to go into, or maybe by creating international editions with resources specific to the countries in which the book is sold. I would recommend Queer Up to teachers, young people (both queer and straight), parents - and anyone who works with teenagers.
December 30, 2022
Thank you to Walker Books Australia for providing me with a finished copy of Queer Up by Alexis Caught in exchange for an honest review.
This book, while very British, is undoubtedly going to be a fantastic resource for queer kids all around.
The way the book talks about what it means to be queer, coming out, dating, sex, pride, and more, is phenomenally done.
This covers so many topics in such a short space, but it doesn’t limit itself to just talking about LGBTQ, but delves into the + part of LGBTQ+ as well, which is something not a lot of books do.
I appreciated that Alexis took a moment to say that there could be a chance in future where the language in this book could become out dated, but for now, it is what’s accepted, and it’s the words we know and use today.
There were several additions to this book from other queer people and it was so nice to see the perspectives of these people. I love that everyone’s pronouns are used when they’re introduced as well!
There is frank discussions about sex, the concept of virginity, and I truly thought it was all handled extremely well.
One of my favourite bits was the pride section and how it broke down (specifically for Britain) just how corporations use queer people during pride months, and how much they don’t care for us in the long run – as long as they make their money. This is important because it hopefully shows people to buy from queer local businesses during pride events rather than corporations that just want your money.
I love the bits where there was historical refences so that people know where their queer history comes from.
Another great addition to this book was the “Ally” sections where it tells people who are allies what to do/say/how to help in certain situations.
This book was so well put together and I am so thankful that it exists.
This book, while very British, is undoubtedly going to be a fantastic resource for queer kids all around.
The way the book talks about what it means to be queer, coming out, dating, sex, pride, and more, is phenomenally done.
This covers so many topics in such a short space, but it doesn’t limit itself to just talking about LGBTQ, but delves into the + part of LGBTQ+ as well, which is something not a lot of books do.
I appreciated that Alexis took a moment to say that there could be a chance in future where the language in this book could become out dated, but for now, it is what’s accepted, and it’s the words we know and use today.
There were several additions to this book from other queer people and it was so nice to see the perspectives of these people. I love that everyone’s pronouns are used when they’re introduced as well!
There is frank discussions about sex, the concept of virginity, and I truly thought it was all handled extremely well.
One of my favourite bits was the pride section and how it broke down (specifically for Britain) just how corporations use queer people during pride months, and how much they don’t care for us in the long run – as long as they make their money. This is important because it hopefully shows people to buy from queer local businesses during pride events rather than corporations that just want your money.
I love the bits where there was historical refences so that people know where their queer history comes from.
Another great addition to this book was the “Ally” sections where it tells people who are allies what to do/say/how to help in certain situations.
This book was so well put together and I am so thankful that it exists.
June 16, 2022
Very informative and helpful for LGBTQ+ individuals (especially young audiences) and allies of all ages. I love that the book is very inclusive and comprises of advice and experiences of people from different ranges of sexuality and gender spectrum. I wish I had this when I was in a middle school; it would have made things easier for me to go through a full-on gay crisis phase. Reading this now feels like a pat on the back and my traumatic baggage has been lifted a little.
October 5, 2022
I cannot put into words how much I love the fact that this book exists. While I figured out my sexual orientation pretty early on, without much confusion or stressing about it, there are so many people, particularly young people, out there for whom a book like this - gently guiding, informative, uplifting, heartfelt - can be a vital resource in discovering who they are and how to embrace that. Frankly, this should be required reading for everyone, everywhere.
February 8, 2023
a truly fantastic (and also quick and fairly easy to read) overview of LGBT+ identities and some issues. it does focus heavily on gay identities and trans/non-binary identities, but other identities under the broader LGBT+ umbrella are also mentioned. overall this is a great starter tool for those wanting to start their education journey, and i love that it also includes mental health tips and resources as well as personal testimonies.
May 8, 2023
Ik wou dat ik dit boek jaren geleden had kunnen lezen...
Ook, het laatste hoofdstuk, geschreven door Russel T Davies heeft de tranen over mijn wangen doen rollen, hoe mooi geschreven en hoeveel liefde
Ook, het laatste hoofdstuk, geschreven door Russel T Davies heeft de tranen over mijn wangen doen rollen, hoe mooi geschreven en hoeveel liefde
August 2, 2022
such a good resource for all queer folk and important notes for allies to support their pals in constructive ways
September 5, 2022
For my first attempt at reading non-fiction, this was pretty good. I only wish this book was around when I was 15, as I think I would’ve benefited from it more at that time. No spoilers, but the story at the end was so moving.
January 29, 2023
this is honestly one of the best lgbtq+ guides i have read. it's super easy to read and follow, it's also not only for queer people but can easily be read by allies alike. borrowed this from my local library but im now very convinced in wanting to get my own copy and a copy for queer space on my universities campus! thank you for everyone who was involved in making this wonderful book that helped me look not only out but in.
July 17, 2023
actually a very great and informative book. for people who have no idea about lgbtq+ people and are just starting to learn about the community, and members of the community or experienced allies who already know a lot. but i did miss some stuff.. eg in the chapter about dating/relationship/sex, there was absolutely nothing said specifically about trans people, which is weird, as that adds so much more complexity to the topic.
overall still appreciate this book though and i'll definitely lend it to friends and family (queer or not).
overall still appreciate this book though and i'll definitely lend it to friends and family (queer or not).
December 14, 2024
This was a lovely book. I read it during Pride Month and it was a lovely addition to my books read pile. The information was provided in an accessible way as intended. I previously had not read many LGBTQ+ history books so this was really interesting to read. I would definitely recommend! I also will be reading more LGBTQ+ books in the future.
August 16, 2024
Something everyone should read for themselves or their kids
February 5, 2022
If you’re looking for something helpful, whether it’s for you to be more aware, for someone else who has questions or if you yourself are the one asking, “is this feeling “normal”? then this is totally the right book to start with.
Queer Up is ostensibly a book which openly discusses everything you might want to or need to know about being an ally, growing up as part of the LGBTQ+ community or simply to educate yourself a bit better.
For me, the most helpful way I can be an ally is to actually get my facts straight; about language, the queer alphabet and all the +’s involved. The book contains all the questions I haven’t necessarily felt sure how to ask about what each term but also had some eye openers to help me understand them too.
I think, in truth, this book is probably necessary reading for everyone. Whether you exist on the spectrum or are championing it. Sometimes I felt it was a bit “watered down”. There was definitely room to shout louder, for sure, and there were certainly areas which could have been expanded upon a lot better. But for a starter, or a simple education tool for younger readers, I think it’s pretty ideal.
ARC provided from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
Queer Up is ostensibly a book which openly discusses everything you might want to or need to know about being an ally, growing up as part of the LGBTQ+ community or simply to educate yourself a bit better.
For me, the most helpful way I can be an ally is to actually get my facts straight; about language, the queer alphabet and all the +’s involved. The book contains all the questions I haven’t necessarily felt sure how to ask about what each term but also had some eye openers to help me understand them too.
I think, in truth, this book is probably necessary reading for everyone. Whether you exist on the spectrum or are championing it. Sometimes I felt it was a bit “watered down”. There was definitely room to shout louder, for sure, and there were certainly areas which could have been expanded upon a lot better. But for a starter, or a simple education tool for younger readers, I think it’s pretty ideal.
ARC provided from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
March 22, 2022
I received Queer Up: An Uplifting Guide to LGBTQ+ Love, Life & Mental Health by Alexis Caught for free on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much for my advanced copy!
This was the perfect non-fiction book choice for February as it was LGBTQIA+ history month in the UK! I instantly felt welcomed from the introduction and I love the layout! The bubbles and illustrations were so fun and visual and I want to go out and get a physical copy as soon as I can so I can see it all in glorious colour.
I loved that there was a terminology list for each section so it gives you an amazing starting point to carry on educating yourself and I also really enjoyed the passages from other people in the community who have contributed to the book! It was really nice getting to read about their experiences and I loved learning more about our community. Plus the mental health tips were so important and I really liked how the author checks in with the reader throughout the book. I’m excited to go away and learn even more about our amazing LGBTQIA+ family!
Queer Up is an impactful and powerful book that everyone needs to read!
This was the perfect non-fiction book choice for February as it was LGBTQIA+ history month in the UK! I instantly felt welcomed from the introduction and I love the layout! The bubbles and illustrations were so fun and visual and I want to go out and get a physical copy as soon as I can so I can see it all in glorious colour.
I loved that there was a terminology list for each section so it gives you an amazing starting point to carry on educating yourself and I also really enjoyed the passages from other people in the community who have contributed to the book! It was really nice getting to read about their experiences and I loved learning more about our community. Plus the mental health tips were so important and I really liked how the author checks in with the reader throughout the book. I’m excited to go away and learn even more about our amazing LGBTQIA+ family!
Queer Up is an impactful and powerful book that everyone needs to read!
February 28, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this title in exchange for an honest review.
This book was astoundingly empathetic. In the very first few pages the author sets clear their intention: to act as an older sibling, giving some tips and holding space for those that feel like they don't have everything figured out—spoiler alert: neither does anyone else. And it succeeds, it truly does.
Throughout Queer Up there's tidbits on how to be a better ally, unapologetically political, this book is a great guide for anyone who wants to learn more about the LGBTQ community and its history—whether they feel personally connected to it or not. This book is a warm embrace and its ultimate message is simple but powerful: everything will be okay.
This book was astoundingly empathetic. In the very first few pages the author sets clear their intention: to act as an older sibling, giving some tips and holding space for those that feel like they don't have everything figured out—spoiler alert: neither does anyone else. And it succeeds, it truly does.
Throughout Queer Up there's tidbits on how to be a better ally, unapologetically political, this book is a great guide for anyone who wants to learn more about the LGBTQ community and its history—whether they feel personally connected to it or not. This book is a warm embrace and its ultimate message is simple but powerful: everything will be okay.
March 22, 2022
This book was brilliant. It provided a real insight into the personal experiences of those who are queer and is sensitive in its explanations, ensuring it is inclusive to all queer folk. The chapters ranging from coming out, allyship, family and friends, sex, and mental health are all so important and well explained throughout the entire book with resources and helplines to call for your research purposes and safety.
I would thoroughly recommend this book to any teenagers or general people who feel they may fit into the queer community because it is helpful and sheds some light on what it means to be queer and why it isn't a bad thing. It's reassuring, beneficial, eye-opening, and generally really comforting.
I would thoroughly recommend this book to any teenagers or general people who feel they may fit into the queer community because it is helpful and sheds some light on what it means to be queer and why it isn't a bad thing. It's reassuring, beneficial, eye-opening, and generally really comforting.
February 25, 2023
WOW! I don't know how to begin to describe this book in a way to do it justice. I'm a 25 year old cisgender straight woman and I WISH I could have read this as a teen.
Lots of inspiring, light hearted FRANK and REAL information and advice about gender, sex, sexuality and identity. A real sense of what it can feel like to be a queer / trans young person, some history and advice on language and lots of beneficial advice for allies. This book, in my view, includes useful information and advice for ALL teens exploring their identity and sexuality, new relationships, consent, safety and body confidence
A must read for all!
Lots of inspiring, light hearted FRANK and REAL information and advice about gender, sex, sexuality and identity. A real sense of what it can feel like to be a queer / trans young person, some history and advice on language and lots of beneficial advice for allies. This book, in my view, includes useful information and advice for ALL teens exploring their identity and sexuality, new relationships, consent, safety and body confidence
A must read for all!
March 25, 2023
If only this book had been out 15-20 years ago, perhaps my own story would have been different. It’s so good to see these types of books out there (excuse the pun!), helping those who are trying to figure out their place in the world, how to navigate some of those difficult conversations (both the ones you have in your head, and the ones you have with those around you).
The best part of this book is the way it educates. It opens up the conversations around what it means to be LGBTQIA+ and how to be you. Not the guide of what you need to do, everyone is different! But how to allow yourself to be you. And how to perhaps support those around you as they find out how to be themselves, too.
The best part of this book is the way it educates. It opens up the conversations around what it means to be LGBTQIA+ and how to be you. Not the guide of what you need to do, everyone is different! But how to allow yourself to be you. And how to perhaps support those around you as they find out how to be themselves, too.
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