Maia Elise Kobabe (born May 1, 1989) is a genderqueer artist.
Background
Kobabe uses modified Spivak pronouns and graduated with an MFA in Comics from California College of the Arts in 2007. Kobabe’s work often involves sex and gender minorities. The graphic novel Gender Queer: A Memoir earned Kobabe a Stonewall Honor award in 2020.
Kobabe’s stories depicting gender diverse sexuality have enraged some conservatives, who have attempted to get the books banned from public schools and bookstores. Conservative lawmakers in Virginia unsuccessfully brought a suit to stop Kobabe’s books from being sold to readers under age 16.
References
Watts, Katie (January 6, 2015). “Petaluma comic artist draws on passion”. Santa Rosa Press Democrat. https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/3315297-181/petaluma-comic-artist-draws-on
Kobabe, Maia (October 29, 2021). “Opinion | Schools are banning my book ‘Gender Queer.’ But queer kids need queer stories”. The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/10/29/schools-are-banning-my-book-queer-kids-need-queer-stories/
Carlisle, Madeleine (August 31, 2022). ‘Gender Queer’ Author ‘Relieved’ After Court Rules Book’s Sale Can’t Be Restricted in Virginia. Time https://time.com/6210087/gender-queer-book-ban-maia-kobabe/
Holpuch, Amanda (August 31, 2022). Virginia Judge Dismisses Case That Sought to Limit Book Sales. New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/31/us/virginia-obscenity-book-ban.html
Resources
Maia Kobabe (redgoldsparkspress.com)
Patreon (patreon.com)
Tumblr (tumblr.com)
Instagram (instagram.com)
Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
Wernick & Pratt (wernickpratt.com)
Simon & Schuster (simonandschuster.com)