Basically Queer, edited by Claire Robson, Kelsey Blair, and Jen Marchbank, offers an introduction to what it can look and feel like to live life as lesbian, gay, bisexual, asexual, two spirited, and trans. Written by youth and elders who have lived these lives first hand, the book combines no-nonsense explanations, definitions, and information with engaging stories and poetry to bring them to life. Basically Queer answers those questions that many want to ask but fear will give offence – What is it really like to be queer? What is appropriate language? How can I be an ally? It also provides a succinct and readable account of queer history and legal rights worldwide, addresses intergenerational issues, and offers some tips for living queer. It does so in an easy and conversational style that will be accessible to most readers, including teens. The text will be of interest to those teaching courses in gender, sexuality, queer and women’s studies. It will be a useful resource for those who are questioning or examining their sexual or gender identities and those in relationship with them, such as doctors, teachers, parents, or friends.
Drs. Claire Robson and Jen Marchbank are faculty members at Simon Fraser University. Kelsey Blair is a doctoral student there. Contributors to the anthology include members of Quirk-e, the Queer Imaging and Riting Kollective for Elders, whose 26 members have worked together in Vancouver for ten years under the direction of Robson and Blair. The youth authors are drawn from Youth for a Change, an advocacy-activist youth group lead by Marchbank and her wife, Sylvie Traphan. The group offers training and education to schools and other organizations, and monitors policy decisions by local government.
Purchase at Basically Queer – Peter Lang Verlag
or at bookstores and online
Reviews:
Wayson Choy, author of The Jade Peony says:
“The dedicated and enthusiastic team of elders and youth that succeeded in bringing together the last collection of West Coast gay and lesbian writers and poets now has caught up with the latest writings from the LBGTQ2S front. Don’t miss this volume. Laugh and also have your heart broken—and admire the courage that sweeps away the debris of homophobia, transphobia, and all the other forms of hatred and oppression still washing up on freedom’s shores. Three cheers for all concerned.”
Constance Brissenden, co-author, The Gathering Tree, with Cree author Larry Loyie (1933–2016) says:
“Elders have a profound place in all societies. Here, the elders share their wisdom with honesty based in compassion. They open the doors to others who are also making their way through times both good and difficult.”
C. J. Rowe, Executive Director, QMUNITY, BC’s Queer Resource Centre says:
“This is a compilation of work that shows the strength, skill and artistry that can be unleashed when youth and elders work together to co-create. This book offers a roadmap to how intergenerational collaborations can change the world for all involved.”
Amber Dawn, author of How Poetry Saved My Life: A Hustler’s Memoir says:
“I’ve been waiting for a consciously inter-generational queer anthology like this! Basically Queer is not only a moving read, it is a powerful tool I can use to help guide me through my own inter-generational organizing.”
Joan Nestle, writer, activist, educator, and co-founder of the NY Lesbian Herstory Archives says:
“A wonderful, rare, much-needed conversation between intergenerational queer histories, imaginations, desires, anxieties and above all, hope. A reader, a teaching guide, a journey to the queer past and to the queer future, elders and youth, holding each other dear.”
