Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe removed from Queensland library shelves

13 March 2023

Gender Queer: A Memoir, a graphic novel written and illustrated by American cartoonist and author Maia Kobabe, has been removed from the shelves of a Queensland library, according to a 9News report. Local police have since referred the publication to the Australian Classification Board (ACB), following a complaint that the book contains pornographic material.

Following a four-day investigation, Queensland Police confirmed to 9news.com.au they flagged Gender Queer: A Memoir to the ACB on Thursday for review. Gender Queer, which includes illustrations of masturbation, sex toys and oral sex, is written by Maia Kobabe, a nonbinary author from California. The 2019 graphic novel is centred on coming out to friends and family.

Despite being removed from the shelves at Logan Central Library, Kobabe’s book is still is available on request. The ACB said it was not usually standard practice to classify publications that Australian libraries made available, and that Gender Queer had not been referred to them previously.