The “Queer Kids” portrait collection leaves no one behind
Published: Tuesday, Nov 12th 2024, 11:30
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"Queer Kids" by Christina Caprez gives young queer people from Switzerland a voice. The book is an entertaining reading experience. The book also creates understanding among those who previously knew little about LGBTQIA+.
Adults look at the younger generation with astonishment, writes author Christina Caprez in the introduction to her book. They "react with uncertainty when young people identify as non-binary". With "Queer Kids", the Swiss sociologist and historian wants to "contribute to an unagitated discussion". Caprez was an editor at Radio SRF 2 Kultur and now works as a freelance journalist.
In her book, Caprez brings together 15 portraits of young people aged between ten and twenty from different regions of Switzerland who consider themselves part of the LGBTQIA+ community. The author lets them talk directly about their lives. As in her book "Familienbande" (2012) about family constellations in Switzerland, she prefaces each chapter with a portrait photo.
There is ten-year-old Lia, for example, a trans girl who already knew as a toddler that she didn't want to be a boy. There is also Christelle, 17 years old. She says that luckily she has never experienced "blatant homophobia", but remains silent when a stupid remark is made in a group. Two chapters further on, 15-year-old Max appears. He likes feminine clothes and make-up, but wants to be addressed as "he".
Queer people more at risk
Three interviews with experts place the individual experiences in the context of society as a whole. Psychologist Ad J. Ott, for example, says that queer people are around four to six times more likely to attempt suicide than non-queer people.
As heavy as the fare is at times, "Queer Kids" is easy to read. The portraits are written in a lively and entertaining way, and the direct speech makes for an entertaining reading experience. The structure also makes it possible to read only individual portraits.
The author takes a step back, gives the people portrayed space and only intervenes to briefly provide context for the narrative of her respective counterpart.
Caprez has succeeded in creating closeness to the people portrayed. Sometimes the unaffected slang of youth shines through. And not even here does the reader feel left behind. For those who are still puzzled, the book provides a glossary at the end.
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