8 Comics That Remind Us to Throw Out the Gender Binary

March 24, 2015 / Sophie Labelle

Originally published on Assigned Male and republished here with the artist’s permission.

Society sure is stuck on the idea that you can determine gender from genitals – and that gender only comes in two options. And that’s frustrating!

That’s why comic artist Sophie Labelle took to the Internet to remind folks to think beyond the gender binary.

Check out these cute comics and share them with others who need the reminder!

With Love,
The Editors at Everyday Feminism.

Click for the Transcript

Panel 1

Text: “Biological sex” or that moment when people try to give meaning to the appearance of my external genitalia.

Stephie: (Pulling down on one of her lower eyelids.)

Text: Because no, they’re not talking about my chromosomes or hormonal flux, since no one knows them. And I doubt they have any idea what theirs are like either. Biological sex = judgement based on genitals’ appearance = gender.

Panel 2

Text: Even if LGBTI people can work together towards the same goals, using the “LGBT” or “LGBTI” acronym when you actually mean “gay” or “gay and lesbian” is invisibilizing for bi, trans and intersex people. So be careful when you use the “LGBTI” acronym! <3

Stephie: (Holding her cheek with her palm with one hand and waving her other hand downward.)

Panel 3

Text: This is a toy mirror. (Image of a toy mirror). It is not a “girl’s toy.” Useful for any roleplay that requires a mirror. Boys often use mirrors too. (And just so you know, it doesn’t have the ability to change someone’s sexuality.)

Panel 4

Text: This is a toy car. It goes really fast if you make an engine sound! (Image of a toy car). Really useful to acquire geographical skills. Grown-up girls own cars, so why not young girls?

Panel 5

Text: Every time you say “boys and girls,” the glitter in my heart loses its sparkle. (Image of a person wearing a robe, pearls, and a colorful mask drawing tear marks on their face with a marker).

Panel 6

Person 1: (Wearing a doctor’s coat holding a clipboard) Stop non-consensual hormonal and genital mutilations on intersex minors?! You’re not serious! Then parents and peers would have to accept those children as they are…

Panel 7

Stephie: (Eyes closed and arms out and open beside her) I wasn’t “born a boy,” just as much as I didn’t “become a girl.” It’s just that nobody cared to ask me first. The only difference with cisgender people is that they agree with the gender they’re assigned…

Panel 8

Stephie: (Scratching her head) What do you mean, “I have boy’s parts”? Are you talking about my penis? Because it’s mine and I’m a girl, so it’s a girl’s penis.

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Sophie Labelle is a young Montreal-based artist and student in education. She has published many children’s book about gender identity and expression (some are available here). Her webcomic Assigned Male tells the story of 11-year-old Stephie, a trans girl who talks like a gender studies graduate. You can also check the comic out on Facebook. Labelle’s experience as a trans girl growing up in rural Quebec is central in her work, and her passion for education appears in her with schools and in her workshops. Follow her on Twitter @sophievlabelle.