Image ID: 10-image cartoon comic featuring Joey, a boy with short hair.
Image 1: Joey smiles and gesticulates to the title of the comic which reads: âAccessing gender-affirming care as a minor has allowed me to experience trans joy as a transgender adult!â. The words âtrans joyâ are in large block letters the color of the trans flag.
Image 2: A younger Joey wearing a sweater and boxers receives his first T shot from a nurse. The text reads: âI started testosterone 5 days before my 17th birthday after spending the year jumping through a bajillion hurdles. Today, my home state is trying to criminalize my care and specifically shut down the trans specialty clinic that cared for me. Throughout all of this false âdebateâ about best-practice medicine, I have seen no politicians, reporters, or cis allies talk about trans joy.â
Image 3: A younger Joey in a hoodie stands at the stove cooking. He is happy, and there are music notes around his head. The text reads: âWhen I realized that I was trans years earlier, the world became lighter. I suddenly had answers for why I felt the way I did, and I knew that I wasnât alone. I found myself humming and singing againâ.
Image 4: Joey is posed stretched across the frame. Heâs wearing suspenders and plaid pants and throwing up a peace sign. The text reads: âI discovered my fashion sense for the first time. I had never been happy in any clothing, but realizing that I was a boy let me explore and find the clothes that made me feel greatâ.
Image 5: Joeyâs hand holds up a phone, and on the screen are thumbnails of videos of his face. The text reads: âMost trans people can tell you the day they started hormones (or another transition milestone). Itâs like having a second birthday! Iâve got a digital diary recording my monthly changes from the first 2 years.â
Image 6: Joey sits on the ground next to a friend, and they are both drawing in notebooks and smiling. Joeyâs friend has glasses, an undercut, earrings, and facial hair. The text reads: âI have the most wonderful trans friends who enrich my life every day. I am so lucky to be part of such a loving communityâ.
Image 7: Joey holds hands with his boyfriend, who is a taller boy with long hair in a ponytail and facial hair. The text reads: âRealizing that I was a boy made me realize that I was gay. Up until then, I just thought that I couldnât experience attraction at all (which is also perfectly normal, by the way!). A wonderful boy and I fell in love 5 years ago, and we get to watch each other grow.
Image 8: Joey is shirtless and holding a toothbrush while his boyfriend hugs him from behind. They are both smiling. The text reads: âHe often reminds me of how good I look, and boy do I know it! I love my trans body. Itâs perfectly me!â
Image 9: Joey is shirtless and showing his chest and top surgery scars. The text reads: âLike most places, my clinic does not refer minors for surgery. But when I turned 18, I got top surgery to remove my (bountiful) breast tissue. Itâs one of the best things to ever happen to me. I adore my chest. Iâve been freed.â Beside a small doodle of a cat, the text reads: âMy cat sleeps on my flat chest every nightâ.
Image 10: Joey has his arms behind his back and is addressing the reader. The text reads: âIn the midst of purposeful misinformation and frankly genocidal language and laws, Iâd like us to remember the joy of getting to be ourselves. Gender-affirming care not only saves but enriches lives for people of all ages. The joy of being oneself is what the Right wants to eliminate. It is imperative that we preserve and encourage the continuation of trans joy by allowing all trans people to safely thrive.â The comic is dated March 31, 2023. End ID.
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