Stefanie Brown, who is believed to be Western Australia’s first transgender police officer, appeared on Channel 7’s Today Tonight this week to tell her story to the nation.
Brown speaks openly of her transition and its effect on her life and mental health, as well as her journey from childhood to present in a hyper-masculine, hetero-normative environment.
Brown first opened up about her gender identity while working in a town with just one other police officer, her partner who she says supported her through the difficult time.
“I owe a lot to them for basically giving me the confidence to say ‘Yes, I can do this’,” Brown said of her country colleagues.
“Other people won’t like it, but they don’t have to live in my shoes.”
Brown also speaks of the struggle she has had with her family, and the rift her gender identity has caused between her and her two sons.
“If they wish to reach out, I’m not going to force anything on them,” she said.
“I still love them very dearly.”
Watch the full report below.
