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Alex Bertie
Born: November 2, 1995
Nationality: British
Sexuality: Pansexual
Gender Identity: Trans man
Occupations: Author, Game art designer, Former YouTube personality, LGBTQ+ speaker
Overview
Alex Bertie is a British LGBTQ+ advocate, author, and game art designer best known for his pioneering role in documenting his gender transition on YouTube. Through his channel, TheRealAlexBertie, he provided accessible and candid discussions about being a trans man, covering topics ranging from hormone therapy to top surgery to mental health. His memoir, Trans Mission: My Quest to a Beard, further solidified his place as a prominent trans voice in modern queer history.
Early Life and Education
Bertie was raised in Bournemouth, Dorset, England. Assigned female at birth, he often felt alienated due to societal gender norms. From a young age, he gravitated toward traditionally masculine interests and formed close friendships with boys. Without the vocabulary to articulate his feelings, Bertie struggled to understand his identity and experienced bullying, depression, and self-harm. His connection with an LGBTQ+ youth group called Over the Rainbow became a turning point, providing information about gender identity that helped him realize he was transgender.
He came out as trans at age 15, first to his online audience and then to his family. Although his family was initially hesitant, Bertie describes them as “supportive in their own way.” His younger sister was the first to embrace his transition, while his parents took more time but eventually became strongly supportive. His father initially avoided using any pronouns or names for him.
Bertie began hormone replacement therapy in April 2016 at The Laurels Gender Identity Clinic in Exeter and underwent top surgery (peri-areolar technique) with surgeon Andrew Yelland in January 2017 at the Nuffield Hospital in Brighton. These milestones were openly documented on his YouTube channel, where he used his story to encourage other young trans people and show that life after transition is possible.
He studied art and design at Bournemouth and Poole College and originally considered a career in graphic design before shifting toward education, writing, and game art design.
YouTube Career
Alex launched TheRealAlexBertie on YouTube in March 2010. His early content included general vlogs and digital art, but his channel evolved into one of the first major transmasculine-focused educational platforms. He covered a broad range of topics including gender dysphoria, coming out, hormone therapy, surgery, LGBTQ+ identity, and mental health.
His transparency about transitioning helped thousands of viewers around the world better understand themselves or their loved ones. By the time his content output slowed, the channel had over 300,000 subscribers and 16 million views.
Bertie was a frequent guest at Summer in the City (SitC), the UK’s largest YouTube gathering. He served as a panelist from 2014 through 2018, speaking on LGBTQ+ and gender identity panels alongside figures like Tyler Oakley and Gary C.
In 2016, he collaborated with Childline UK to challenge myths about transgender youth. Bertie’s role as a digital educator positioned him as a visible and respected figure in both LGBTQ+ and YouTube communities.
He later shifted focus to Twitch streaming and gaming content, eventually stepping back from the influencer world to focus on a career in UX and UI design. As of 2025, his YouTube channel and content have been deleted from the platform, though his influence continues to resonate.
Trans Mission: My Quest to a Beard
Published in 2017 by Wren & Rook, Bertie’s memoir offers an honest, often humorous account of growing up trans in a world lacking understanding. The book touches on family dynamics, internal struggle, social transition, and medical milestones, written specifically for teens and young adults.
The book received praise for its clarity and relatability and was shortlisted for the 2018 Polari First Book Prize. It has been used in schools and youth centers, though it has also been banned in some educational institutions due to its LGBTQ+ themes.
Despite backlash, Trans Mission remains one of the most accessible memoirs by a trans man from the UK, widely respected in both literary and LGBTQ+ circles.
Unauthorized Use of Images and Media Backlash
In October 2017, The Mail on Sunday published a feature titled “NHS pressured our kids to change sex” using images of Bertie without his consent. The article was part of a wave of anti-trans media coverage that included fearmongering over youth transition. Bertie condemned the publication for using his photos to fuel transphobic narratives. PinkNews, Teen Vogue, and Attitude reported on the incident, highlighting the violation of Bertie’s privacy and the media’s growing hostility toward trans youth.
Bertie described his reaction as “fuming” and stood firm against the article’s message, affirming his identity and the importance of young people being supported, not vilified, in their gender journeys.
Personal Life
Alex Bertie identifies as pansexual and currently resides in Cheshire with his partner and two cats. He met his long-term partner at a youth group and the couple began dating seven months later. He has a younger sister named Hollie, who was one of his earliest supporters.
In recent years, Bertie has chosen a more private lifestyle, stepping back from public appearances and social media while continuing LGBTQ+ advocacy through alternative means. His focus is now on game design, art, and UX/UI work.
Awards and Recognition
- Polari First Book Prize Finalist (2018) – For Trans Mission: My Quest to a Beard
- Lovie Award (Creator for Change category) – Honoring digital creators who promote social change
- YouTube Silver Play Button – Awarded for surpassing 100,000 subscribers
Legacy
Alex Bertie is a cornerstone figure in early 2010s transmasc visibility. His pioneering use of YouTube to chronicle transition created a template for digital education and trans empowerment. His memoir remains a critical resource for trans youth, educators, and allies.
Though his online presence has diminished, his impact endures. Bertie showed that being trans is not something to hide or fear, but something to own, grow through, and celebrate. His voice helped shape a more open, informed, and empathetic digital landscape for the LGBTQ+ community.
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