Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part G (2024)

Young Adult (YA) fiction has increasingly become a platform for exploring the complexities of gender identity, particularly through the experiences of transgender characters. This paper reviews the profound agony and psychological impact of being misgendered as depicted in Cris Beam’s I Am J and Meredith Russo’s If I Was Your Girl. Both novels provide poignant narratives that highlight the struggles transgender individuals face in asserting their true identities within a society that often fails to understand or accept them.
In I Am J, the protagonist J’s journey is marked by a constant battle against being seen as someone he is not. The quote, “Sometimes everyone pretended to be normal until one day the truth was undeniable,” encapsulates J’s internal struggle and the external pressures to conform to societal expectations of gender. J’s experiences of being misgendered, both by strangers and those closest to him, underscore the deep sense of alienation and invisibility that transgender individuals often endure. His journey toward self-acceptance is fraught with challenges, but it ultimately serves as a powerful testament to the resilience and determination required to live authentically.
Similarly, If I Was Your Girl follows Amanda’s life as she navigates her identity in a new community where she hopes to live fully as herself. However, the constant fear of being outed and misgendered looms over her, reflecting the pervasive anxiety that transgender individuals often face. Russo’s narrative illustrates the emotional toll of being misgendered, as Amanda grapples with the disconnect between how she sees herself and how others perceive her. Her story highlights the critical importance of acceptance and understanding in the lives of transgender individuals.
Through these texts, the paper hopes to explore how misgendering not only exacerbates the pain and confusion of transgender individuals but also serves as a barrier to their acceptance and integration into society. By examining the lived experiences of J and Amanda, this review underscores the need for greater empathy and awareness in addressing the challenges faced by transgender individuals, particularly in the formative years of adolescence.