Review By: Anonymous
Published: 2024
Editors: The KAO, Min Christensen, & David Daneman
Genres: YA Graphic Novel, Nonfiction, Anthology, LGBTQ+
Audience: Grades 9–12, Adult
Number of Stars: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Goodreads Link: The Out Side
Content Warnings: Discussions of gender dysphoria and social marginalization.
Publisher’s Summary
In this vibrant and affirming comics anthology, 29 trans & nonbinary comic artists share their personal journeys of self-discovery and acceptance.
Featuring the work of Sage Coffey, Kyla Aiko, and Coco Ouwerkerk, The Out Trans & Nonbinary Comics includes 29 creators’ tales of self-love and affirmation and detailing their experiences with gender and identity. Originally published as a successful Kickstarter campaign, this expanded edition includes comics by Dana Simpson (bestselling author of Phoebe and Her Unicorn ), Aidyn Huynh (Snailords), Wren Chavers, and more.
Equal parts encouraging, comforting, and life-affirming, The Out Side is a love letter to the trans and nonbinary community, designed to inspire anyone who may be struggling with their own identity and to help educate those who seek greater understanding. As artist Julia Kaye writes in the book’s “I’m so glad this book exists. It’s a loud proclamation of our existence in the face of a culture that has for too long ignored our experiences.”
Review
The Out Side: Trans & Nonbinary Comics is a collection of 29 artists sharing personal stories of identity, self-discovery, and acceptance. The different comics highlight the wide spectrum of gender experiences rather than a singular voice, each through varied artistic and storytelling styles. The book balances emotional honesty with affirmation, offering readers insight into individual journeys while expressing empathy and self-love.
I enjoyed the overall concept and appreciated how each creator told a distinct story. Some pieces resonated more strongly than others based on visuals, but together they reinforce an important idea: everyone’s truth is personal, and there is no single path to identity. For educational use, I did wish for a preface including definitions of terms to assist readers who are still learning the appropriate language.
As a Health Teacher, I see this as a valuable optional classroom resource. It could be offered during independent reading or used as a reference for students seeking representation. The stories speak more broadly to feelings of uncertainty and not always knowing where you fit, which is something many students can relate to, regardless of their own identity journey.
🎒 Health Class & Classroom Applications
For educators, particularly in Health or SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) contexts, this book provides several points of engagement:
- Sense of Self: Use specific comics to discuss how our “internal” sense of self might differ from “external” societal expectations.
- Empathy Building: For students who do not identify as trans or nonbinary, these stories provide a window into the universal feeling of “not knowing where you fit.”
- Vocabulary Extension: Since the book lacks a glossary, a great classroom activity would be to have students research and define terms they encounter, such as cisgender, nonbinary, gender-fluid, and dysphoria.
- Independent Reflection: This is an ideal “choice board” book. Students can pick one artist’s story that resonated with them and explain why, focusing on the themes of resilience or self-acceptance.
