The protagonist of the novel, Jess is not sure what to call her gender identity but is sure that she does not want to be categorized according to societal norms. At an early age, Jess latches onto the term “he-she,” though later she is unsure if that is the correct word for who she is. She is attracted to femmes and towards male dress but feels that surgery to become fully, anatomically male might erase her true self. Jess suffers physical and emotional abuse from family, teachers, law enforcement, employers and the public at large for being a gender outsider. Looking back at the trajectory her life has taken, at the end of the book, Jess realizes that she has been true to herself, despite the often heavy costs.

Jess’s parents effectively abandon her when it becomes plain that she will not be female enough for them. Butch Al becomes a parental figure for Jess, helping her figure out how to dress, how to survive in the world, and how to have sex with a woman. Butch Al warns Jess that life will be difficult and she will need to be tough. It is devastating to Jess when she witnesses the police attack Butch Al then drag her into a back room, where she is then raped.