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30 Comics That Explain And Show What It’s Really Like To Change Your Gender, According To Transgender Comic Artist Julia Kaye

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At 32, cartoonist Julia Kaye lives in Los Angeles, where she works for Disney TVA. But, much more than just that, she is also a brave transgender woman who, like most people who have gone through gender transition, had to face her fears and the prejudice of others in order to become who she is today. Julia’s experiences and gender transition are illustrated within her 3-panel comics that she frequently shares with her followers on her social media platforms.

Published on the cartoonist's Instagram, the said illustrations are a way to show and highlight the problems faced by those going through gender transition. However, it’s not only that—Kaye’s comics also serve as support for those who might be in a similar situation too.

Today we’d like to feature 50 of the newer comics; however, the rest of them can be found collected in book format in "Super Late Bloomer: My Life In Transition," which Julia released.

More info: Instagram | twitter.com

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

97points

Sky Render 3 years ago

So much this. It doesn't matter why, just that it's what you want.

14points

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Bored Panda reached out to Kaye.

“As for how autobio comics came into my life and what inspired the 2 series:

Honestly, I've never been any good at keeping a traditional written journal and comics have always been a huge part of my life. So when I started my gender transition, it just made a weird sort of sense to turn to making journal comics to help me navigate the constant barrage of highs and lows in my life. Making them each day became art therapy for me—my sketchbook was a place I could be fully honest with myself about how I felt, something I used to greatly struggle with."

#2

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

88points

Sky Render 3 years ago

Kids always take this sort of thing better. When a parent doesn't want their kids to know you're transgender, it's because of the parent, not because of the kids.

58points

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#3

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

88points

Floofy Samoyed 3 years ago

Happy tears!

26points

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"Originally, I never had any intent to share them with anybody but my closest friends, to hopefully help them understand what I was going through. But as time went on, I realized that by sharing them with the public, I could possibly help other people who are trans hopefully feel seen and thus feel less isolated in their own experiences, as well as help cis allies better understand the sort of things we go through. That first series eventually became collected in the book 'Super Late Bloomer: My Life In Transition.'"

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#4

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

73points

Kittygirl 3 years ago (edited)

Yes! You know who you are! (Edited cause it sounded sarcastic, it’s not.)

25points

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#5

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

68points

Sky Render 3 years ago

That is the worst! I try to remind myself that society defaults to masculine pronouns for basically everything, but come on.

22points

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"A couple of years later, when I was 3 years into my transition, I realized the landscape of my life was radically different than it used to be. I found myself feeling the pull to go back and make a second series to help navigate what my life had become. This time, to help show that life keeps moving on past that fraught, anxiety-ridden first year of transition and settles down. To show that as your gender dysphoria lessens, you have so much more capacity to truly live your life as yourself. It's a side of transition that isn't talked about enough. So I started making daily comics for 6 months, for better or worse, no matter what. Eventually, the second series was collected and published earlier this past year as 'My Life In Transition: A Super Late Bloomer Collection.'"

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#6

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

60points

Ryan Deschanel 3 years ago

Why is he offended ?

4points

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#7

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

58points

crazy_cat_notAlady 3 years ago

hey, truth monster, cant comment on ur post...but I think I understand what u r asking there. each of us has unique and different meaning making systems. it need not mean that life is planned. but sometimes, assigning meaning to events does help us move forward. much like what Viktor Frankl said in Man's Search for Meaning.

7points

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#8

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

55points

Sky Render 3 years ago

After 30 years of denying all emotions, I welcome those moments when I can't help but feel all the things. And yes, the boobs do rule.

25points

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#9

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

54points

Lydi of the Lake 3 years ago

Yes! Changes are scary but many are often so very worth it.

10points

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#10

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

52points

Sky Render 3 years ago

Bloody hell I can relate to that one... I don't think I could ever have even come back from where I hid from myself without my fiance there to help me...

15points

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#11

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

51points

Sky Render 3 years ago

Ran into this with my own older brother and his wife. They'd rather deny their transphobia than confront it, and have basically thrown me entirely from their lives. Why do so many decide that they would rather hate than love?

31points

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#12

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

49points

ADHORTATOR 3 years ago

This one is gold!

14points

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#13

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

48points

Kittygirl 3 years ago

Awwwwwww this is sad

34points

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#14

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

45points

ADHORTATOR 3 years ago

Hm, I would never share my shoes

29points

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#15

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

45points

! ? 3 years ago

That's me with girls

17points

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#16

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

43points

#17

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

39points

Dark Pearl 3 years ago

Heather, being trans doesn't mean your sexuality is defined by what sex you were BORN as.

4points

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#18

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

37points

L.j. Bus 3 years ago (edited)

How many surgeries does it take? I thought it was just the two obvious areas 😅🙈 (genuinely curious)

16points

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#19

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

36points

AzKhaleesi 3 years ago

hahaha teet yeet... thats cute

18points

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#20

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

36points

Sky Render 3 years ago

Definitely looking forward to that! I miss being able to wear my hair back. Though hairbands are nice...

14points

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#21

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

36points

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#22

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

35points

Steffen Rehm 3 years ago

I fell attacked. But yeah, i know more then i would accept to know, of this type of men.

12points

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#23

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

32points

L.j. Bus 3 years ago

Awww, I love this one!

10points

#24

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

32points

Chloe *Leah* Pheonix 3 years ago

Leaked gas is very dangerous

23points

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#25

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

32points

Sky Render 3 years ago

Disrespecting the dead is not cool. And yet it happens to transgender people more than anyone else.

22points

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#26

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

29points

Casey 3 years ago

I've lived this. I'm living it now. I met The Love Of My Life 5½ years ago. The only problem was that I'm not The Love Of His Life.

14points

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#27

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

29points

Carmen Sandiego 3 years ago

And if you feel like you can't, just remember that there are people who support you and can help!

11points

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#28

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

27points

Pansexual fnaf weeb 3 years ago

So beautiful!

6points

#29

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

27points

L.j. Bus 3 years ago (edited)

It takes real courage to move forward on your own to follow your own inner journey like that or how do I put it. Sometimes love really isn’t enough

8points

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#30

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

25points

Aroace tiger (any pronouns) 3 years ago

I personally think that buddy is gender neutral

37points

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#31

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

17points

Dark Pearl 3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

4points

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#32

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

16points

Sky Render 3 years ago

Agh, I hate facial hair so much... No matter how thoroughly I shave it off, it always feels like I missed basically all of it.

4points

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#33

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

16points

Emma Byrne 3 years ago

I'm agender. I have a more traditionally male brain but my assigned sex is female. Some might argue I'm a trans guy but I don't think so. I just don't conform to gender norms and never have. I think like a man and present as a woman. I've had some disphoria over the years and some euphoria, but it averages out that I'm just human and that's enough for me.

17points

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#34

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

14points

#35

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

14points

#36

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

14points

My O My 3 years ago

And perfectly fine

5points

#37

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

13points

Dark Pearl 2 years ago

Somebody who leaves awful comments under posts of people living their truths, that's either a shitty person, a shitty person, or indeed, a shitty person

1point

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#38

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

13points

#39

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

13points

Chloe *Leah* Pheonix 3 years ago

Being misgendered sucks :( I'm here for you

12points

#40

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

13points

N G 3 years ago

Is it too forward to suggest adoption? The child has already been brought into the world - now they need someone loving and awesome to raise them.

13points

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#41

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

13points

#42

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

12points

Brian bell 3 years ago

Yup. There is a time limit. It may not be an official one, and may be fairly flexible, but at one point... you can't keep making excuses for bad behavior.

4points

#43

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

11points

#44

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

11points

Sky Render 3 years ago

It's so true! Fundamentally I'm the same person, but at the same time, now I'm not putting on a show for the world pretending to be what I'm not. And that really does make a big difference in how I express myself!

5points

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#45

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

10points

Carmen Sandiego 3 years ago

Good for you!

4points

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#46

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

10points

Chloe *Leah* Pheonix 3 years ago

Not liking cats or dogs is a total dealbreaker

9points

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#47

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

10points

enby from hell 3 years ago

HOLY S**T I FEEL THIS

4points

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#48

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

8points

Chloe *Leah* Pheonix 3 years ago

My aunt had that and had to go to the emergency room, but after a week she was moved to a regular hospital room and a couple weeks later she was fine. You'll get through this :)

3points

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#49

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

8points

Chloe *Leah* Pheonix 3 years ago

I broke up with my ex over an argument. I really liked her and she really liked me, and I miss her a lot 😔

4points

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#50

Cartoonist Illustrates Her Gender Transition So That People “Know They're Not Alone” (New Pics)

Final score:

7points

Chloe *Leah* Pheonix 3 years ago

I have this problem. In in a relationship already with someone I really like but I like another girl. I have no idea what to do 😭

2points

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Hidrėlėy

Fascinated by music, movies and sitcoms, I'm passionate about social media and can't live without the internet, especially for all the cute dog and cat pictures out there. I wish the day had about 40 hours to be able to do everything I want.

Fascinated by music, movies and sitcoms, I'm passionate about social media and can't live without the internet, especially for all the cute dog and cat pictures out there. I wish the day had about 40 hours to be able to do everything I want.

Diana Lopetaitė

Hey there, Pandas! My name is Diana (though some prefer to refer to me as Diane, Deanna, and even Liana sometimes), and I am a Community Post Moderator Lead for Bored Panda. As my position title states, I am one of the people (employed Pandas for bamboo) over here who work with the community side of things on this website to ensure all is well, and while at that, I also help various creators and artists get recognition for the incredible work they do by connecting them to a large worldwide audience. Other than that, outside of work, you can find me brewing a nice cup of coffee, making a pizza from scratch, or baking brownies. I also love traveling, concerts, and cats (heavy on that, because I am a cat mom).

Hey there, Pandas! My name is Diana (though some prefer to refer to me as Diane, Deanna, and even Liana sometimes), and I am a Community Post Moderator Lead for Bored Panda. As my position title states, I am one of the people (employed Pandas for bamboo) over here who work with the community side of things on this website to ensure all is well, and while at that, I also help various creators and artists get recognition for the incredible work they do by connecting them to a large worldwide audience. Other than that, outside of work, you can find me brewing a nice cup of coffee, making a pizza from scratch, or baking brownies. I also love traveling, concerts, and cats (heavy on that, because I am a cat mom).

What do you think ?

Chloe *Leah* Pheonix 3 years ago

I know being LGBTQ is hard, take it from me. But a lot of people are struggling with it as well, I'm with you and you are not alone :)

10points

Phica Afton 3 years ago

Thanks

3points

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BlackPearltheSeaWing/NightWing 3 years ago

I had no idea trans people had to go through so much. I want all you trans pandas to know that you all are so brave and I hope you are much happier being your true selves!

7points

Pansexual fnaf weeb 3 years ago

You are a good person

4points

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Aeon Flux 3 years ago

This is wonderful. Thank you for sharing your heart.

7points

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Chloe *Leah* Pheonix 3 years ago

I know being LGBTQ is hard, take it from me. But a lot of people are struggling with it as well, I'm with you and you are not alone :)

10points

Phica Afton 3 years ago

Thanks

3points

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BlackPearltheSeaWing/NightWing 3 years ago

I had no idea trans people had to go through so much. I want all you trans pandas to know that you all are so brave and I hope you are much happier being your true selves!

7points

Pansexual fnaf weeb 3 years ago

You are a good person

4points

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Aeon Flux 3 years ago

This is wonderful. Thank you for sharing your heart.

7points

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