Meet Julia Kaye, a 28-year-old cartoonist who lives in Los Angeles, California. Though few would know it by looking at her, Kaye actually became a transgender woman in 2016. As one might imagine, the process was arduous and emotional. Even to this day, Kaye still goes through the ups and downs that accompany changing one’s gender identity.
To cope with the emotional struggles, Kaye began illustrating comics that detail the process. Some of the illustrations focus on moments of insecurity, such as learning how to use eyeliner, while others celebrate personal milestones, such as talking about her transition with friends and family members.
As Bored Panda reports, Kaye found the process to be very therapeutic. She said,
“It got me to set aside time at the end of my day to reflect on how I was feeling. And because I was making the comics for myself, I allowed myself to be more honest than I might have been otherwise.”
After realizing that she could help other trans people overcome their insecurities — or, at least, feel as if they are not alone — she decided to share the comics publicly.
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Following are 10+ comics portraying her gender transition:
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