Welcome to the Zine: Le Voyage d'Alex
Discover Le Voyage d'Alex, your ultimate open educational resource focusing on the comic 'Voyage d'Alex.' Our mission is to engage a diverse audience, including teachers, students, and parents, in discussions about nonbinary pronouns in French. Join us in fostering a rich learning environment.
Le Voyage d’Alex is an educational comic designed to support French language learners in understanding and using the gender-neutral pronoun iel.
Written by Shreya Diwan and illustrated by Savindya Mudadeniya, the project began as a student-led initiative under the guidance of Dr. Caroline Lebrec and supported by UBC Students as Partners Fund. It has since grown into a broader educational resource through grants, conferences and workshops. This website intends to make it accessible in a free-access format. Through its integration into classrooms and academic spaces, Le Voyage d’Alex has contributed to expanding conversations around equity, diversity, and inclusivity in language education across Canada.
Further, we would like to acknowledge that this website was created by the Open Education resource Fund at the University of British Columbia in 2026.
Writing
Le Voyage d’Alex takes readers on a journey of self-discovery, identity, allyship, the challenges faced by genderqueer individuals, and the power of acceptance within our communities. The story is deeply informed by Shreya’s own experiences navigating life as a transgender person.
We first meet Alex at a moment of uncertainty, sensing that something does not feel quite right. As they search online for answers to the question, “Who is non-binary?”, readers are introduced to their experience of gender dysphoria.
This reflects a reality many queer people face: turning to online resources to better understand themselves because discussions of gender diversity are often limited in traditional classroom settings.
Alex’s first experience of gender euphoria comes when they cut their hair, marking an important step in their journey toward self-expression.
The story then follows Alex into the classroom, where they share their pronouns and identity with their teacher and classmates. They are met with a range of reactions. While their teacher and some classmates respond with acceptance and support, others react with confusion or a lack of understanding. Readers witness the emotional toll of being repeatedly misgendered and the burden that genderqueer individuals are often expected to carry when educating others about their identities.
Importantly, the story also highlights the role of active allyship. Rather than leaving Alex to advocate for themselves alone, several classmates challenge the bullying they witness and help educate their peers. The story concludes on a hopeful note as Alex is embraced and accepted by their classmates.
Ultimately, Le Voyage d’Alex reminds us that creating inclusive communities is a shared responsibility and that acceptance can have a profound impact on a person's sense of belonging.
Illustration
The visual language of Voyage d’Alex is intentionally designed to reflect and celebrate diversity. The cover page incorporates the colors of the non-binary flag, immediately signaling the themes of identity and representation that are central to the story.
Each character is thoughtfully illustrated with a distinct color palette inspired by different pride flags. This approach highlights the richness and diversity of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, allowing each character’s identity to be visually represented in a subtle yet meaningful way.
As the story progresses, the overall color scheme of the pages evolves from cooler tones to warmer hues. This gradual shift mirrors Alex’s emotional journey, moving from uncertainty and introspection toward growth and self-acceptance. The changing palette reinforces the narrative arc, using color as a storytelling device to deepen the reader’s experience.
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