Beyond the Gender Binary: Alok Vaid-Menon

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ALOK (they/them) is a gender non-conforming writer and performance artist. Their distinctive style and poetic challenge to the gender binary have been internationally renowned.

As a mixed-media artist Alok uses poetry, prose, comedy, performance, lecture, fashion design, and portraiture to explore themes of gender, race, trauma, belonging, and the human condition. They are the author of Femme in Public (2017) and Beyond the Gender Binary (2020). In 2019 they were honored as one of NBC’s Pride 50 and Out Magazine’s OUT 100. They have presented their work at 500 venues in more than 40 countries.

In this new book published by Penguin, Alok Vaid-Menon provides an accessible primer to gender fluidity, showing how a world beyond the gender binary of man and woman creates more freedom for everyone. They equip readers with the knowledge to counter the rise of anti-trans discrimination. This book invites the world to see gender not in black and white, but full color.

“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.

—Billy Porter

”There’s so many golden nuggets I wish everyone could hear so please please please pick this book up for a great cause and a great read!!”

— Demi Lovato

“This beautiful book is a beacon, just like Alok.”

—Sam Smith

“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