As I write this, it is June 2019. It's also Pride Month, which is something that many people may not know, but certainly will know more about after reading this book by Alex Bertie, a graphic artist and writer who lives in the U.K. and has a condition called gender dysphoria -- essentially, having the characteristics of one gender, i.e., female, but the mind of a male, or vice versa. That is a very simple way to explain a complex issue, and there are many that look on this as a choice. What Bertie addresses in this very helpful book is the issues associated with this condition, his struggles throughout his life, societal and familial support, and the paths he took to finally be the man he wants to be.

One of the issues that Bertie writes about is that of receiving hormone treatments -- in his case, testosterone to chemically change his hormones from within. In the U.K., universal health care is the standard, and even though there is a long waiting list to receive the requisite tests, and so on, eventually, Bertie was able to not only get the shots, but was also able to stop having to wear a binder, which he explains as a means of flattening one's breasts so as to look male. Eventually, he was able to get top surgery, which meant a double mastectomy, and no more binders. What is particularly helpful about this book is that it serves as a primer for those who have gender dysphoria, know someone with this condition, or really want to know more about those who are in search of their true identity.

It's been 50 years since the Stonewall riots and much has changed for the better. However, as stated, Pride Month is a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. With the release of this well-written, well-illustrated and very readable book, all of us that don't know as much as we should about those who are enduring being a gender dysphoric person would do well to take a look at Bertie's text.