I am SO glad that things are changing for the transgender community. It was pretty seriously dangerous to let that information out even just a decade ago. I mean, it can still be really dangerous, and the hurdles are unimaginable, but what change has happened and the awareness of it has been so good.
But that’s the big secret. Which is why Dije did his best to take the entire burden of it after realizing his mistake.
I became friends with someone who was transsexual around this period, and she was so helpful in answering questions and helping me with my immense ignorance on the subject. And the more I learned, the more I wanted to put it in the comic, and to really treat the subject as responsibly and well as I could. Fingers crossed that I did, even as it becomes more dated.
Some strips like this I wonder: what is Dije’s last line referring to? Is he suggesting that it wouldn’t have been as much fun if he’d been convinced he could be trans? Or simply that it wouldn’t have been as much fun if he’d been dismissive and not believed in her. I’ll never know what i was thinking.
Sometimes when you feel pressures of being a burden and not having space, it’s good to take these breaks if you are able.
“Distract someone into staying.” That one cuts a little too close. Maybe because living has never felt natural to me. Not sure.
I wish the whole “men want to make things their own idea” was so often true. If you’re a guy, be one of the ones who makes a difference! Celebrate and congratulate and incorporate other’s ideas!