Symptoms of Being Human

Riley Cavanaugh, the novel’s first-person protagonist, is a 16-year-old vegan, gender-fluid teen living in Park Hills, California. Riley describes their androgynous aesthetic as “existential punk” (2), and largely avoids describing their appearance. For much of their narrative arc, Riley is closeted and lacks of sense of self, out of touch with their identity because of the gendered expectations of the binary world around them. Riley also faces multiple major life events—a mental health crisis, attending a new school immediately following that crisis, and their father’s reelection campaign. While Riley is used to being internally in flux due to their gender fluidity, these external stressors, along with gender dysphoria and bullying from other students, are heavily destabilizing and exacerbate Riley’s anxiety.

Riley often lacks confidence in themself and dislikes being the center of attention. They are easily flustered, noticeably blushing when they get embarrassed. Despite feeling awkward in most social situations, Riley’s strength lies in their ability “to work things out with words” (27), and their writing resonates and connects with others. This side of Riley comes out when they speak during a meeting at the Q, prompting Mike/Michelle to approach Riley about being a panelist at Trans Health Con.