Discover Your Path: Your path is your own, But you do not have to walk it alone

By Joselyn Hatfield

Dev Fisher (they/them) is the author of Discover Your Path: A Guide for Non‑Binary Youth, a new book offering non-binary youth both heartfelt validation and practical guidance.

Dev Fisher is on a mission to make sure no non-binary young person feels alone. As a non-binary author and youth advocate based in San Diego, Fisher poured their passion into a new book, Discover Your Path: A Guide for Non‑Binary Youth. 

When asked what inspired them to write the book, Dev Fisher smiles and references their own adolescence. Growing up non-binary, they often felt invisible due to the lack of resources that spoke to their experience. “I wrote the guide I wish I had when I was younger,” Fisher says. 

Fisher’s background as a community advocate also played a role. As the San Diego chapter lead for a queer youth program, they’ve witnessed firsthand the urgency for guidance tailored to non-binary youth. In an era where more young people are openly exploring gender beyond the binary, the need for supportive information is greater than ever.

The glaring lack of non-binary-specific resources (up until now) contributes greatly to the development of this resource. While LGBTQ+ youth have some books and support groups, materials focused on the non-binary experience are still rare. Many available guides for queer or trans youth tend to assume a binary transition or lump non-binary identities as an afterthought. 

“For a long time, it felt like non-binary youth were an asterisk in someone else’s story,” Fisher says. Discover Your Path aims to change that by centering non-binary young people fully. Fisher recounts searching library shelves and online forums and coming up short: “There were trans survival guides and coming-out books, but hardly anything that said non-binary youth, this is for you.” 

The consequences of inadequate resources can impact mental health and well-being as young people struggle to find guidance while also questioning their gender identity. Non-binary youth, in particular, can feel isolated if they do not see their experience reflected anywhere. 

Fisher noted that some non-binary teens end up consuming content aimed at binary transgender experiences and trying to adapt it to themselves. “They’re left translating advice that doesn’t quite fit,” they explain. That can reinforce the idea that something is wrong with them, when in fact it’s the resources that have been lacking.”

Statistics further underscore why affirming resources are so vital. According to The Trevor Project’s latest national survey, 46% of transgender and non-binary young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year​.

By creating a guide specifically for non-binary youth, Fisher is helping fill a crucial gap. The book joins a small but growing shelf of non-binary resources and stands out as one written by someone who is non-binary. 

Beyond guiding non-binary youth themselves, Discover Your Path is making waves among the adults who support those youth. Fisher is delighted by this crossover impact. “I wrote it for the kids, but I always hoped parents, teachers, and others would read it too,” they admit. That hope is being realized. One local high school teacher told Fisher that reading the guide gave her a much better understanding of her non-binary students’ challenges and how to create a more affirming classroom. In fact, experts have long recommended resources like this to everyone in a young trans or non-binary person’s life.

Who exactly can benefit from Discover Your Path? According to Dev Fisher, it is for anyone committed to helping non-binary youth shine. The guide is especially relevant for:

• Non-binary youth themselves, who can find understanding and concrete advice within its pages.
  
• Parents and caregivers, who want to support their child but may not know where to start – the book can be a conversation starter and an education in one.
  
• Educators and school staff, who strive to make their classrooms and schools safe for all genders and can get practical ideas from the guide.
  
• Allies and friends, who wish to be there for the non-binary people in their lives and build a more inclusive community.

In a world that has not always known how to support those who do not fit neatly into “male” or “female,” Dev Fisher’s Discover Your Path: A Guide for Non‑Binary Youth affirms that every young person’s journey is valid and worthy. It equips them with tools to face the world with confidence and kindness toward themselves. And it invites everyone – youth and adults alike – to learn, grow, and walk that path alongside them.