Classification Review Board upholds determination on ‘Gender Queer’

Friday, 21 July 2023 Books+Publishing

The Australian Classification Review Board has rejected an appeal to the classification of the graphic novel Gender Queer: A memoir (Maia Kobabe, Oni Press), upholding its determination that the book be classified as Unrestricted with the consumer advice ‘M—Not recommended for readers under 15 years’.

The review board said in a statement: ‘Gender Queer warrants an Unrestricted classification because the content of the publication is justified in context, is appropriate for its intended audience of people who are interested in the author or interested in the subjects of gender identity and asexuality, and has a positive tone and character as well as many layers of positive messaging. The review board found that the publication’s depictions of sex and nudity were justified in the context of a nonfiction memoir describing the author’s lived experience.’

In the review board’s opinion, ‘consumer advice of “M—Not recommended for readers under 15 years” is warranted as some content within the publication may offend some sections of the adult community, and may not be suitable for younger readers; therefore, the publication is not recommended for readers under 15 years of age.’

Sydney bookshop Kinokuniya paid for the board to determine the classification of the graphic novel after a complaint about the title, but the board’s decision on 3 April that the title should be available Unrestricted was appealed, and the board had reconvened on 29 May in response to the application. This review board’s decision replaces the original decision made by the Classification Board.