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Sophie Labelle is a French-Canadian transgender cartoonist and activist whose work has captivated audiences around the world. Through her comics, she explores important topics like gender identity and the transgender experience, using humor and heartfelt storytelling to make these themes more relatable and accessible. Her art not only helps normalize being transgender but also sparks meaningful conversations about LGBTQ+ issues.

Many readers use Labelle's comics to open up discussions about gender and identity with their friends and family. Her work speaks to anyone navigating their own identity, offering both comfort and inspiration.

More info: Instagram | Facebook | serioustransvibes.com | youtube.com | ko-fi.com | patreon.com

Bored Panda reached out to Labelle again to learn more about her experiences and how her journey as an artist has influenced her work. We asked her about the impact she hopes her comics have on younger generations, particularly those questioning their gender identity.

"My work strives to provide empowerment and comfort to younger generations. We rarely get to choose how supportive our environment is, and I always consider the impact of my work on those of us who are the most vulnerable. Transphobia is pernicious and might pop up when we least expect it. I hope my comics help people build strength and resilience to keep going despite everything."

The artist shared that she has personally faced harassment, including being doxxed, being targeted by a neo-Nazi protest, being labeled as a threat by a British MP, and having her books banned in Texas, while also frequently receiving online death threats. So, we asked her how she manages self-care and maintains resilience in the face of such hostility.

"I spend a lot of time in nature. It really grounds me and makes the online hate seem like a distant dream. I've also been doing book tours and meeting readers and communities. It reminds me of the impact the kind of work I do can have and makes the hate more bearable."

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As an artist who started creating comics at a young age, we asked Labelle for her advice to aspiring queer and trans artists looking to share their stories through art.

"I'd say that you need to get involved within your local community. Show up for other artists as you would like people to show up for you. We're all in this together. Every voice matters, and having your voice heard brings purpose, which is absolutely necessary when creating while queer or trans."

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Artist Creates Insightful Comics To Foster Acceptance Of Transgender Experiences

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Feathered Dinosaur
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5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

F**k this. If I had to go through male puberty, knowing it would do irreversible alterations to my body which I would hate (I identify as female), it would throw me into depression, too.

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"Trans and gender non-conforming people’s rights are currently under attack in a multitude of countries, states, and provinces. Chances are that you have a local association or group in your town or city that desperately needs volunteers for all types of things. I encourage everyone to reach out to them and participate in any way they can. Getting involved is the best way to learn!"

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Lisa Crow
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5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also, some non-trans kids take puberty blockers for other medical reasons. Another reason not to butt into the medical decisions of another person.

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LakotaWolf (she/her)
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5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay, I actually flinched - my mom's name is Linda and she absolutely treated me like a piece of property through my entire childhood. XD I'm adopted and she told me - frequently - that I was adopted "just" to be a sibling to my older sister, her bio child. She didn't want her daughter to be an only child. She's the epitome of the "Linda" above, though - I'm not female-gender-normative at all and I cannot even imagine how horrific my childhood would have been if I'd tried to express that to her beyond my preference for pants over frilly dresses.

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Lisa Crow
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5 days ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also, where's the outrage over intersex babies being given surgery without parental permission, and sometimes even parental awareness, in an effort to "normalize" their genitalia? This can cause loss of sensation, scarring, urinary issues, etc. Even WITH parental permission this seems like a terrible idea. ************* I know we all prefer to have things be black and white, A or B, but this is harmful! Biology is a complex thing; sometimes we need to accept that reality. ************ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/16324-intersex https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/07/25/us-harmful-surgery-intersex-children https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intersex_medical_interventions

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StarCrossedFriday
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5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’d be nice if we went forward with this kind of thinking, instead of backwards with the insanity that came with overturning Roe v. Wade.

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M O'Connell
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5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't forget that after being fired from IBM she started her career over from the bottom, in spite of her years of experience.

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Rayne OfSalt
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5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah yes, well-known christian festival, the Bacchanalia. Celebrating the well-known christian god Dionysus.

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Andrew Keir
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5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is always tension between 'safety' and 'progress'. Look at the history of the printed word, if you want examples; and check the meaning of the word "imprimatur". 'Change' is scary, but may well be necessary - and helpful.

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H. Werkheiser
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5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Would love to force everyone who supports any of the so called CONVERSION therapies to go through them first, especially the ones that send the kids out of the country to be isolated, and tortured till they break and "convert"!

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Andrew Keir
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5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some parents don't fully understand their children. This has been going on for millennia. The Golden Rule applies - to both sides. Be gentle, be tolerant.

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Andrew Keir
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5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Must admit, I have no concept of what "gender ideology' might be - but my ignorance is not proof of anything. I need to learn more.

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Andrew Keir
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5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm old, but I'm having difficulty with the claimed difference between 'genders' , 'sexes', etc. Please don't mock me, help me. Oh, and drawing someone who you claim to be wrong, licking a boot, doesn't really prove anything. Just sayin'.

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Andrew Keir
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5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Be cautious about banning books just because you don't like what they say. That's a dark road to start down - oppose them, rebut them, don't buy them, but don't expect to have them burnt, either. The other side just might have the 'right to differ' from your opinions; you claim the same right from them, remember?

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Andrew Keir
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5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If we reach a point where people don't vote for parties unless they have full and knowing agreement with every part of their manifestos, the voting booths will be silent places. Regrettably, at some points we have to choose between different flavours of good - or watch others choose for us.

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