Gender Studies: The Confessions of an Accidental Outlaw

by Ajuan Mance

When you’re the only Black kid in the honors program or (any program) at your mostly white high school, or one of a handful of Black graduate students in your PhD program, or one of two African American women on the faculty at your Pac-10 employer, it’s not your gender non-conformity that sets you apart from your peers. In those environments, your Blackness is the first thing people notice about you. Still, there are other ways of being different--and feeling different--that can’t be attributed to race, especially if you’re one of the people whose awareness of the unwritten rules of what it means to be a boy or a girl (or a man or a woman) is tempered by the fact that most of those rules don’t feel quite right.

In Gender True Confessions of an Accidental Outlaw, Ajuan Mance gives comic treatment to the challenges, complexities, and occasional absurdity of life at the crossroads of race, gender, and geekiness. This graphic memoir answers important questions How many preschoolers have to mistake you for your dad before you actually start to forget your own name; if a Black girl is awful at double-dutch jump rope is it a reflection on her gender identity, racial identity, or both; and is viola player a gender or just a sexual orientation? Ajuan Mance’s comic Gender Confessions take up each of these questions and more, as it invites to share in those moments that mark the path of a gender explorer.

Genres: Nonfiction, Graphic Novels, Queer, Comics, LGBT, Biography, Transgender

86 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 12, 2024

About the author

Ajuan Mance is a professor of English and Ethnic Studies at Mills College at Northeastern University. A lifelong artist and writer, Ajuan holds a B.A. in English from Brown University and an M.A. and Ph.D. in English from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Reviews

[Maia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slim but insightful collection of memoir comics on the intersecting identities of being Black, queer, gender nonconforming, and a nerd. These stories are thought provoking, funny, and delightful well drawn.

[Phobean · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

More zine than conventional comic, this is an insightful, unique, and fun exploration of gender across one person’s life. The four panel comics are often clever and exploratory. Overall, the author has such a good attitude about things. More than once, I was like: how’d you come out this way!? So forgiving and giving people the benefit of the doubt.

[Lucy L · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ended up liking this book quite a bit! it was definitely a quick read, 82 pages of graphic novel, but the story it told far surpassed my expectations. I typically enjoy books where people discuss their oppression and experience with prejudice, but I especially enjoyed how she put a positive spin on her negative experiences, explaining how each one led her to figuring herself out just a bit more. I really loved the art style and the use of color to differentiate characters, it gave me a good idea of what message she was trying to send. however, I wish she had delved more in depth into her experiences, rather than just showing them happening. With such a unique perspective, I had hoped that we could get a glimpse into what was going through her head. definitely super fast but overall good enough. to conclude, go lesbians go 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

[E.D.E. Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this!

It's a short set of comics, set with the author as main character and based on personal experiences. The comics are interesting, funny, nerdy, and just really delightful. They radiate with an affirmation of authenticity, a celebration of the *variety* of authenticity, a hug of peace for those who relate and feel seen, and (as I read it) an encouragement of settling into one's self, whatever your age. With chuckling.

[Shannon Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written and drawn by the author and collects a number of works. Worth seeking out and reading especially if you are a nerd (of any color or gender) who also lived thru the 1980’s (and 1970’s). I think I’m a bit younger than the author but likely close in age. I certainly had some similar geek touchstones and nerdy interests.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though it's kind of a short read, I think Mance does a good job with providing an introductory and personal explanation on the intersections of race and gender, plus the book itself has some cute miscellaneous four-panel comics near the end about the author's life. I don't know if I would reread this again, but I think it will inspire some further reading on the topic in the future.

[Kasia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Closer to 3.5. I loved the first third of the book, and really appreciate the distinction between being attracted to masculinity (which can be embodied in anyone) and being attracted to men. I appreciated the nuance the author brought to the intersections of queerness and racial identity.

[Emmaby Barton Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 a short fun read. some really interesting/funny comics but too short to get a higher rating from me

particularly enjoyed seeing the interactions w their niece/kids about gender; a love for libraries; and the intersections of race, gender, and hair

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historically hysterical across the board.

[Denise Figueroa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished reading this book on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 5:38 p.m.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

just delightful!

[Shyloh-Dawn Fermaldibryde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book that provides lived experience (in the 80s no less!) of gender diversity. I appreciated this one but would have loved to read more.