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  • Beyond the Gender Binary

  • Pocket Change Collective
  • Written by: Alok Vaid-Menon
  • Narrated by: Alok Vaid-Menon
  • Length: 1 hr and 7 mins
  • 5.0 out of 5 stars (70 ratings)

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Beyond the Gender Binary cover art

Beyond the Gender Binary

Written by: Alok Vaid-Menon
Narrated by: Alok Vaid-Menon
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Publisher's Summary

Winner of the 2021 In The Margins Award

"When reading this book, all I feel is kindness."—Sam Smith, Grammy and Oscar award-winning singer and songwriter

"Thank God we have Alok. And I'm learning a thing or two myself."—Billy Porter, Emmy award-winning actor, singer, and Broadway theater performer

"Beyond the Gender Binary will give readers everywhere the feeling that anything is possible within themselves"—Princess Nokia, musician and co-founder of the Smart Girl Club

"A fierce, penetrating, and empowering call for change."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"An affirming, thoughtful read for all ages."—School Library Journal, starred review

In Beyond the Gender Binary, poet, artist, and LGBTQIA+ rights advocate Alok Vaid-Menon deconstructs, demystifies, and reimagines the gender binary.

Pocket Change Collective is a series of small books with big ideas from today's leading activists and artists. In this installment, Beyond the Gender Binary, Alok Vaid-Menon challenges the world to see gender not in black and white, but in full color. Taking from their own experiences as a gender-nonconforming artist, they show us that gender is a malleable and creative form of expression. The only limit is your imagination.

©2020 Alok Vaid-Menon (P)2020 Listening Library

What the critics say

"There's no better time for a new conversation about the damaging effects of mainstream society's oppressive, dismissive, and silencing stance on who folks are supposed to be based on...what...? Thank God we have Alok. And I'm learning a thing or two myself." (Billy Porter, Emmy award-winning actor, singer, and Broadway theater performer)

"This beautiful book is a beacon, just like Alok. Having Alok in my life has saved me in so many ways, and now you can have a little bit of them with you, too. When reading this book, all I feel is kindness. This is a step-by-step education on what it means to respect non-binary people. Alok is a human being who has a deep love and commitment to other human beings. They have come to us from the future to show us what life could be like if we all loved a little harder and dug a little deeper." (Sam Smith, Grammy and Oscar award-winning singer and songwriter)

"Beyond the Gender Binary is a literary vessel of light for those who are looking for hopefulness, honesty, and a stimulating education in the exploration of themselves. This book is a twenty-first-century survival guide for queer-identifying people of all walks of life—Alok provides a safe space of shared experiences, commitment, and love to expand the gender binary to create a brighter and more inclusive present and future. This book shares wisdom, knowledge, and the universal spirit of celebrating one's self by shattering the transphobic lens that hinders most gender non-conforming people. Beyond the Gender Binary will give readers everywhere the feeling that anything is possible within themselves, and that self-love through whatever choice of gender expression is truly attainable." (Princess Nokia, musician and co-founder of the Smart Girl Club)

What listeners say about Beyond the Gender Binary

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Short but Mighty!

This short title packs a punch and effectively debunks false assumptions and reasoning around gender. Alok celebrates the depths of diversity and beauty of true and substantive self-determination.

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Amazing!

Thank you Alok for your kind soul, well-chosen language and wise words about the topic many individuals do not know enough. Fully recommend!

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I am enlightened. thank you.

Alok's poetry touches my soul. now I understand more about the trans experience. thank you alok.

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Enlightening

This was a narrative that expanded my understanding and broadened my awareness of the impact and influence that gender has had on my state of being! Highly recommend for everyone!

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Thank you Alok!

Alok Vaid-Menon has an incredible way with words. Although the book was packed with information, it didn't feel heavy or read like a textbook. The author eloquently weaved in happenings from their personal life from beyond the gender binary and drew connections to the "science" and politics of the inner workings of the gender binary, specifically how its purpose is rooted in the need for power and control. I learned a lot from reading this book and look forward to reading their other works.

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Profound

This book is absolutely necessary and must be shared. Thank you so much for continuing to carve a safer world for all of us. But most importantly for simply existing Alok.

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I highly recommend!

I recently found Alok on social media and the way they so eloquently explain the reality and experiences of nonbinary and gender nonconforming people made me give them an instant follow. Being nonbinary myself it filled me with such joy to see them be their authentic self and be such a positive force for the community. When I heard someone mention this book I just had to read it, and I was not disappointed. In only 5 chapters Alok portrays the realities of how our socially constructed norms are affecting people and how a change of course must be taken in order for everyone regardless of gender identity to thrive. This book like them is a beautiful mix of nonconformativity that is based in authenticity, with a hint of reality. Whether you are a member of the queer community, an ally, a friend/family member of a trans/gender nonconforming person, or just someone who wants to learn more this book is a must read. I cannot recommend this book enough!

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