All Posts

Behind the Façade — Carla Aurora Hope Wear It Purple Day is about visibility, acceptance and creating a world where young LGBTQIA+ people know that who they are is something to be proud of. But for me, purple represents something else as well. It represents the space between hiding and being seen. I know what it is like to live behind a façade. For much of my life, I learned how to become what the world expected me to be. I learned how to perform the right role, say the right

The Childhood I Had to Grieve There are childhoods we remember, and there are childhoods we mourn the ones that live quietly in the body long after the years have passed. For a long time, I didn’t understand that grief could exist for something that was never allowed to happen. I thought grief belonged only to death, separation and endings. I didn’t realise we could also grieve possibilities, the moments we should have experienced, the safety we should have known, and the p

Today, I am incredibly proud and more than a little emotional to announce the release of my new book, What Lives Beneath. This book began with a question: what lives beneath the person the world sees? Beneath the smiles, achievements and carefully constructed façade lived a frightened little girl who had learned to disappear. Beside her stood a dragon—fierce, watchful and created from everything she needed to survive. And waiting beyond them both was the woman I would eventua

Five years ago today, I was sliding down Big Red sand dune beside my girls. The sun was warm. The sand seemed endless. We laughed as we stumbled down the steep face of the dune, collecting handfuls of red earth in our shoes and our clothes. At the time, it was simply a family adventure. A memory. I had no idea how much my life was about to change. Twelve months later, my world, and theirs, shifted dramatically. I had started hormone replacement therapy. Looking back now, that

Lately, as I have been unlocking my genealogical history, I have discovered something I didn’t know was missing. A gap. Not a gap in names or dates. Not a gap in records. A gap in identity. A gap in belonging. For as long as I can remember, I have felt connected to Country. Not intellectually. Not through research. Not because somebody told me I should. I simply felt it. The land spoke to me. Not in words, but in feelings. In quiet moments. In that strange sense of knowing th

There are stories we tell the world. There are stories we tell ourselves. And then there are the stories that live beneath both—quiet, persistent, waiting to be heard. For most of my life, I lived in the space between those stories. I became what was needed. The Life I Let the World See From the outside, my life made sense. People saw a boy. Later, a man. Someone strong. Someone adaptable. Someone who could endure. And I did endure. I learned how to shape myself into somethin

Mental health recovery is rarely a straight line. It’s not a finish line you cross or a certificate you earn. It’s a journey — sometimes steady, sometimes chaotic, often exhausting, and occasionally transformative. As I wrote in Behind the Façade , “My battle with the black dog is complex.” That complexity is shaped by childhood trauma, domestic abuse, workplace bullying, and gender dysphoria. The dog nearly won more than once. But I’m still here. And this is what healing ha

The rain gently falls Drops dance on rooftops A soothing sound Gentle and calming My two huskies lay by my side Balls of fluffy chaos Balls of fluffy love These two can read me As I can read pages in a book Solace I find in their company The house is but a shell Within its wall we live Many memories contained within Mixed and confused Both good and bad But it is my home The home I share with my wife Sanctuary I seek I find it in my chair A grubby grey chair A chair that has w

There are moments in adulthood when grief arrives unexpectedly — not for someone we’ve lost, but for the versions of ourselves we never got to be. Lately, I’ve been grieving a little girl. A girl I carried inside me for decades without ever truly seeing. She was trapped. Locked away. Silenced by expectations — social, cultural, parental. She learned early that who she was had to be hidden, reshaped, suppressed. She cried quietly, tucked behind a mask built for survival. A mas

When I first came across Behind the Facade , I was drawn in by its honest and heartfelt storytelling. This memoir offers a window into a deeply personal journey of self-discovery and gender transition. It’s a story that resonates with many, especially those navigating questions of identity and acceptance. But who is the author behind this compelling narrative? Today, I want to share what I’ve learned about the author of the book Behind the Facade and why their story matters

“You will never work again.” Those words cut deeply. They shook my identity, my confidence, and my sense of purpose. Questions flooded my mind: What will I do? How will I pay the bills? How will I find meaning again? The grief of losing a career I cherished was overwhelming. But life had to go on. Slowly, I began to pivot—one small step at a time—towards a light in the distance. It wasn’t clear, but it was there. And with it came a decision: to live my values and give back. T

Starting to understand and accept your queer identity can feel like stepping into a new world. It’s a path filled with questions, emotions, and sometimes uncertainty. But it’s also a journey of growth, self-love, and freedom. I want to share some thoughts and insights that might help you as you explore your own queer identity journey. Navigating the Queer Identity Journey When I first began to explore my identity, I felt a mix of excitement and fear. It’s normal to feel unsur

Embarking on a journey to understand who I truly am has been one of the most profound experiences of my life. It’s not always easy, but...

Life is complex. Sometimes, it feels like we are made up of many layers, each one revealing a different part of who we are. I often think...

Honoring the Legacy, Celebrating the Progress Transgender history is rich, diverse, and deeply rooted in cultures around the world — yet...

When I first encountered the idea of identity as layers, it felt like a gentle invitation to explore myself more deeply. We often think...

Being an ally to the LGBTQ+ community is more than just showing support during Pride Month — it’s about ongoing commitment, learning, and...

🏳️‍⚧️ Why both paths matter—and why every journey is valid. Introduction Transitioning is a deeply personal experience for transgender...

Exploring who you are can feel like stepping into a vast, unknown world. When it comes to understanding your LGBTQ+ identity, this...

🏳️‍⚧️ Transgender 101: Terms, Myths, and Realities In a world that’s slowly learning to embrace diversity, understanding transgender...