☛ Cette critique est aussi disponible en français [➦].

Translated by Gabrielle Baillargeon-Michaud. 

Assignée garçon : Ambiance trans de feu is a graphic novel by Sophie Labelle that explores transgender identity through the misadventures of Stéphie, a pre-teen girl who often finds herself educating her peers about various facets of her life as a trans individual. She is supported by her best friend Ciel and, eventually, her boyfriend, Frank. Through their everyday interactions, these characters experience a range of situations well known to gender-diverse individuals including invasive queries about their bodies, choosing a name that feels comfortable, and being outed (the disclosure of someone’s identity without their consent). The comic addresses transphobia within academic, athletic, social, and familial settings, satirizing it with sharp comparisons and caricatures, and depicting its impact on those affected.

Sophie Labelle is a cartoonist, author, and speaker from Quebec. She has been creating and illustrating comics since the age of seven and began publishing them online, anonymously, when she was thirteen. She studied at UQAM and was the treasurer and in charge of visibility for the queer student group La Réclame. In 2014, she started working on Assigned Male, initially in a webcomic format and later compiled into a printed collection in 2022.

This work by Sophie Labelle assembles an impressive array of real-life experiences of young trans people. It strives to portray them with a rich diversity of perspectives through characters who embody various gender identities, sexual orientations, nationalities, and dis/abilities. Labelle effectively enables readers to empathize with her characters and feel their emotions. However, the work delves into complex issues such as toxic masculinity, colonialism, and transmisogyny, which might be challenging for young readers or those new to queer community issues. While the webcomic is generally accessible, certain sections may necessitate additional guidance or independent learning for full appreciation. With that said, making the effort to fully engage with this narrative and grasp the complexities of transgender identity it conveys is profoundly rewarding.

Reference

Author : Sophie Labelle
Title : Assignée garçon : Ambiance trans de feu
Date of parution : May 21^st 2022
Publishing House : Dent-de-lion

This book is available in bookstores for $39.95.