For Charli, the journey of understanding and embracing her identity began long before she even had the words to describe it. From her earliest memories, Charli knew something didn’t align. “Ever since I was about 8 or 9, I thought I wanted to be a girl,” she shares. “I remember going to bed wishing I’d wake up as one. Of course, that wouldn’t happen—but a kid can dream.”

By her teenage years, Charli had begun to explore the idea of being transgender. “When I was around 14 or 15, I confided in my best friend and started researching what being trans meant,” she recalls. Experimenting with names and pronouns felt like a revelation: “She/her just felt correct, and the name I picked was Charli. From then on, friends started knowing me as Charli.”

But life at home told a different story. Charli’s mother reacted with hostility when she came out. “She said I was brainwashed and took everything from me. I wasn’t allowed out of the house except for school. I used to run away for a few nights and stay out on the streets—not eating or drinking—because it felt safer than being at home.”

For Charli, her mother’s rejection became a turning point. “She showed me that even the people you trust and love most can turn on you just because of how you feel or how you want to present yourself. From then on, it’s been my chosen family over my blood family.”

Now surrounded by people who uplift and affirm her, Charli credits much of her resilience to her chosen sister. “She looks after me in ways no one else ever has. She makes sure I eat, drink, and even sleep—things I struggle with on my own. She introduces me as Charli and uses my pronouns, even when others forget. She’s family in every sense of the word.”

Transitioning has brought Charli a sense of peace she hadn’t known before. “Even just starting HRT and changing my name has made a world of difference,” she says. “My anxiety and depression have dropped so much. Being around people who accept me and support me makes me feel safe. It’s a night-and-day difference from where I was before.”

Looking forward, Charli’s goals are simple yet meaningful: “I want to grow my hair out more, pray my breasts grow to a size I’m happy with, and just enjoy myself while I still can.” Living with the knowledge that her mobility may decline as she grows older, Charli is determined to embrace life fully in the years ahead.

Her advice to others navigating similar journeys? “Blood means nothing. Family is who you make it, not who you’re given. Your chosen family will always be stronger than blood.”

Charli’s story is one of transformation and resilience. She’s living proof that even in the face of rejection, isolation, and immense struggle, there is hope. By embracing her authentic self and surrounding herself with those who truly care, Charli is carving out a life that reflects her strength, courage, and joy.

Final Words

“The way I see it, my mum’s ‘son’ is dead. But that doesn’t mean she now has a daughter—because I’m not her daughter. Family is who you make it.”

Charli’s journey serves as a powerful reminder that no matter where you start, the path to authenticity can lead to a brighter, more fulfilling future.