The inQUEERy Narwhal
Because we meet in an AMAZING bookstore I often come across some pretty wonderful books on Sundays. Not Quite Narwal, by Jessie Sima is one such book that I return to again and again to help articulate the struggle to hold and live into seemingly conflicting identities (like queer + Christian). I've read it during one of our Sunday Gatherings, I've taken it to camp, and I read it for our first inQUEERy gathering.
Young Kelp realizes it don't quite fit in, and struggles to figure out if he is a land narwhal or a sea unicorn. Finally, with the support of his friends, he doesn't have to decide. Inspired by Kelp and the Gender Unicorn, my inQUEERY co-faclitator and I (and graphic designer friend Marc Burg) dreamed up a way to explore our gender, sexuality and spiritual identities together. Feel free to download and use, but please give credit where credit is due.
This is such a beautiful way to frame Kelp’s journey—that struggle to hold two truths at once is something I think many of us navigate quietly. I’ve used this book in my own classroom to spark conversations about identity, and it never fails to open up deeper dialogue. By the way, if you ever create printables or discussion cards for these themes, a greek letter generator can add a lovely, symbolic touch to your handouts.