The stories in The Out Side: Trans & Nonbinary Comics are by trans and non-binary people. Using their own words and images, the authors (mostly new to me) show us how they explored who they are. Some are new to finding themselves (one just found the words for their gender expression within the last year) and others have had years to explore. Many times the style of their illustrations fits that (there is one woman who grew up in the 1970s and her style reflects that era). The compilers, David Daneman, The Kao, and Min Christensen were looking for these stories when they were coming of age, and I am sure so many others have too. And of course, are still looking.
One thing I have always found fascinating is how we want to make trans and nonbinary people as “other.” That somehow, they are “different” from we cis people. But they are not. And by seeing their journeys through their own eyes shows that it allows people questioning, looking for representation and understanding friends and family to be seen, and learn the language.
My philosophy aside, I cannot tell you about the book without given it away. Each story, while non-fiction, is written in a fiction format. Things flow. Technical terms, the politics, and controversy is not there. We are just getting the beautiful, hard, and wonderful journey of people learning to be comfortable as who they are. Therefore, more opinions! I enjoyed seeing how people could have similar experiences (why be male if you you’re going to do “girl” thing, such as wearing earrings, dressing “feminine” or in “girly colors”?) yet have two different journeys. It is interesting to see how many different journeys there can be. Nothing is pink or blue or black and white. There is a rainbow of experiences and stories.
Everyone can relate to these comics. Maybe it is “only” our hair we do not like; or maybe we are “too fat” or “too thin.” Or we were bullied by family, classmates, etc. because we did/do not “fit the mold.” But this shows that nobody fits the mold, there is a mold for every one of us. And this book shows that we are not alone. Some of the author/illustrators had friends and family support, others had to find it later, but as one person put it, they did not realize they were allowed help. And this is a good step to finding that help, regardless of your stage of discovery. 
Contributors
Kaz Fantone
Coco Ouwerkerk
Julie Fiveash
Cyrus
Min Christensen
Ashi
DaToonie
Vixtopher
Wren Chavers
Matteo Montero-Murillo
Mel Valentine Vargas
Kyla Aiko
Nasr Bin Safwan
Dana Simpson
Lae Louie Schäfer
Veronica Jane
Dashi
Aidyn Huynh
Al Acevedo
Wey Song
Sam
Liam Coballes
Lake Fama
Lucas James
Sage Coffey
Zhen
Maddie Tacobus
Jam Aden
Tara Madison Avery & Mike Sullivan
Julia Kayeo
