Gender expression is a hard one for a lot of people to understand, especially if it’s different from the gender identity you were given at birth.

This identity may be met with many questions from your family, peers, and even yourself.

Some of these questions may not have answers yet.

The first step is to turn your piece of paper into a book.

Here’s a video by Jonathan Hill that shows you how to do that.

In the following steps, we’ll share some ideas for what to include inside your book.

But remember, this is your story! You can always ignore our ideas and fill your pages with whatever you want.

Let’s skip the cover for now. You can design your cover at the end when you have more inspiration to work with.

On page 1 of your book, introduce yourself. Here are a few ideas:

1. Your name and pronouns

2. Your hobbies and favorite activities

3. Who you like to spend time with

4. Anything else you want to include

On page 2 of your book, write a little more about yourself.

Where are you right now on your journey to know, love, and celebrate yourself?

How is your identity a part of that?

On pages 3 and 4, write down some of the questions you get from others about your identity, and your thoughts and feelings about those questions: 

I like when people ask me:

_____________________________________

because_______________________________.

I don’t like when people ask me: _____________________________________.

It makes me feel__________________________.

Now it’s your turn to come up with your own questions.

On pages 5 and 6, write down the questions that you would like people to ask you about your identity.

What do you wish you could talk about with your friends and family?

FREE SPACE! You know what to do : )

What else do you want to add to your book?

Maybe a favorite quote, song lyrics, or a personal affirmation?

Consider adding a drawing, or you could leave space for whoever is given the book to write their thoughts or words of encouragement before returning it to you.

Now that you’ve finished the inside of your book, it’s time to design your cover.

Look back through your book to see if there’s an idea or question that you really connect with.

Use that as inspiration for a book title and/or drawing.

If you want, you can make copies of your book by laying it flat on a photocopier. Then, just fold these copies like you did at the beginning of this project.