[1] The book is a "manual to all areas of life as an LGBT person"[2] and "is meant to serve as a guidebook for young people discovering their sexual identity and how to navigate those uncomfortable waters.
"[3] This Book Is Gay has frequently been banned and challenged in the United States, according to the American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom.
[4] Prior to writing This Book Is Gay, Dawson had worked as a "sexual education and wellness teacher" for seven years.
[5] Beyond discussing topics directly related to sexual intercourse, This Book Is Gay covers "the well-being and the relationship and the nurturing side" of sexual relationships, which Dawson states "was really important to [her], so that young queer people can picture a future for themselves as well-adjusted queer adults.
It lists a few common stereotypes, and disproves them both through theoretical examples and through testimony from queer people who submitted blurbs to the book.
It gives people tools to push back against queerphobic language or policies, as well as help in identifying them.
This chapter focuses on the action of publicly or privately allowing your identity to be known, and discusses the benefits and drawbacks of coming out.
It also has a portion discussing STIs, teaching people how to identify them and how they are spread, including a specific section on HIV.
It also discusses the different ways that same-sex couples can have children, such as through adoption, sperm donation, surrogacy, or other options.
This chapter provides an alphabetical list of ‘gay icons’, and then also reminds people of the importance of boycotting and/or blacklisting queerphobic people/companies.
Resource sheet for queer people[6] Booklist's Michael Cart offered This Book Is Gay a starred review, calling it "witty and wise and so packed with information it’s hard to imagine a reader who won’t learn something new.
"[8] Publishers Weekly called it "irreverent" and "informative", with "a humorous tone that should help set anxious readers at ease.
"[9] They also commented on the illustrations, saying, "Gerrell’s playful b&w cartoons help maintain an encouraging atmosphere, even when Dawson turns to homophobia/transphobia, anti-gay legislation, and STDs.
[10] However, "the book’s efforts to support transgender readers are undermined by persistent, thoughtless affirmations that biology really is destiny—for instance, when the author debunks the myth that 'gay men are ‘girls’ ” with a jokey 'Penis?
[17] Additionally, along with Queer: A Graphic History by Meg-John Barker, the book was specifically targeted for review in the Elmbrook School District.
[3] However, some parents noted the school "the district needs to make LGBTQ students feel safe.
[19] This Book Is Gay was also mentioned in one of two hoax bomb threats that were "part of a series of automated overseas emails" and sent to Hilton Central School District.
In an interview with Rolling Stone in April 2023, she explained that it is "not surprising" her book has frequently been targeted, though it is "disappointing".