A Quick & Easy Guide to They/Them Pronouns

by Archie Bongiovanni, Tristan Jimerson

Overview

A quick, easy and important educational comic guide to using gender-neutral pronouns.

"A great, simple look at the importance of using correct pronouns; extremely accessible to those for whom gender-neutral language is a new concept." –– School Library Journal (starred review)

Archie, a snarky genderqueer artist, is tired of people not understanding gender neutral pronouns. Tristan, a cisgender dude, is looking for an easy way to introduce gender neutral pronouns to his increasingly diverse workplace. The longtime best friends team up in this short and fun comic guide that explains what pronouns are, why they matter, and how to use them. They also include what to do if you make a mistake, and some tips-and-tricks for those who identify outside of the binary to keep themselves safe in this binary-centric world. A quick and easy resource for people who use they/them pronouns, and people who want to learn more!

2018 Chicago Public Library Best Books of the Year - Teen Nonfiction
Publishers Weekly Favorite Reads of 2018
Autostraddle 20 Best LGBTQ Graphic Novels of 2018

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781620104996
Publisher:	Oni Press
Publication date:	06/12/2018
Pages:	64
Sales rank:	121,887
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.00(h) x 0.30(d)
Age Range:	13 - 17 Years

About the Author

Archie Bongiovanni is queer cartoonist living in Minneapolis whose work has been published online, in anthologies, and in mini-comics, and whose first graphic novel, Out of Hollow Water, was published by 2D Cloud in 2013. They are the creator of The Grease Bats, a monthly webcomic for the queer feminist website Autostraddle, as well as a contributing cartoonist to Everyday Feminism.

Tristan Jimerson is a freelance copywriter living in Minneapolis. His award-winning work has been featured in publications such as Creativity magazine and The Egoist. He has written copy for everything from exercise equipment to electronics. In fact, if you've been inside Best Buy within the last 6 months you've probably read something he wrote. Tristan grew up on the rolling plains of rural Iowa, and after deciding that it wasn't cold enough, moved to Minnesota.

Archie Bongiovanni is queer cartoonist living in Minneapolis whose work has been published online, in anthologies, and in mini-comics, and whose first graphic novel, Out of Hollow Water, was published by 2D Cloud in 2013. They are the creator of The Grease Bats, a monthly webcomic for the queer feminist website Autostraddle, as well as a contributing cartoonist to Everyday Feminism.

Editorial Reviews

"This short guide is in an affable, friendly way to answer some questions about gender-neutral language and give insight into the conversation from someone who is living that reality."

Teen Vogue

"A funny and friendly guide to being respectful."

Mara Wilson

"There are a lot of ways to teach people how to be good allies to non-binary people and others who use they/them pronouns, but in my opinion, a comic book with two friends having a conversation about how, when and why to use them while also making jokes and funny faces is absolutely the best way."

Autostraddle.com

★ 05/01/2018
Gr 7 Up—Genderqueer writer and illustrator Bongiovanni and cisgender writer Jimerson, longtime friends, present this educational comic guide to gender-neutral pronouns. Speaking to each other and directly addressing readers, they emphasize the importance of inclusive and respectful language. Bongiovanni brings the perspective of their lived experience, and Jimerson serves as a thoughtful ally and role-plays as someone unfamiliar with gender-neutral pronouns. Together, they offer examples and explanations of pronoun usage and discuss misgendering (using the wrong pronouns, assuming gender, and relying on faulty visual shortcuts based on a gender binary). They also model potential conversations, such as how to ask what pronouns others use. The repeated references to creating inclusive work spaces give this guide more of an adult-oriented focus; still, teens will get a lot out of it. Featuring whimsical, lively illustrations, this clear, well-organized, conversational guide also covers dealing with mistakes. A section called "For Folks Identifying with Alternative Pronouns" offers advice on coming out as nonbinary. VERDICT A great, simple look at the importance of using correct pronouns; extremely accessible to those for whom gender-neutral language is a new concept.—Amanda MacGregor, Parkview Elementary School, Rosemount, MN

School Library Journal

2018-03-20
This cartoon guide provides readers with information and advice about nonbinary pronouns and identities using equal parts sarcasm and sincerity.Archie, a white nonbinary person with a septum piercing, teamed up with their friend Tristan, a bearded white cis man, to "educate and inform people on gender neutral pronouns...so that you don't have to do all the heavy lifting yourself." In expressive but sparsely illustrated panels, this book explains what pronouns are ("a substitute for a noun that you don't know the identity of or…shorthand when the person/place/thing you're talking about is understood"), Archie's experiences of being misgendered, different ways for allies to support nonbinary people, and tips and tricks for navigating the world with a gender identity that isn't just "male" or "female." At some points the snark is a little grating, and at other points the earnestness can be cloying. The absence of any discussion of how race, ability, or other marginalized identities intersect with gender may be intentional to keep a sharp focus, but this also results in a flattening of perspective that may frustrate nonbinary readers with identities that Archie and Tristan don't acknowledge. However, the text is conversational and accessible, providing helpful information to binary readers without privileging their needs over those of a nonbinary audience.A helpful introduction to they/them pronouns for those in the know and those in the process of learning more. (Nonfiction graphic novel. 12-adult)

Kirkus Reviews

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