When love conquers all
By Kiera Elliot-Pickett
Callala Bay, New South Wales – Lesbian couple, Gabby & Irene, have both separately experienced mental health battles, the winning battle was finding each other.
Gabby, a Transgender Woman, age 45, knew who she was at the ripe age of 12-years-old. Mentally working through the memories of being ridiculed, teased, abused and laughed at, even physically hurt, will forever be an ongoing process. At 40-years-old, Gabby physically celebrated who she is and began Hormone Replacement Therapy (aka HRT); a process that took her 28-years to begin, yet has been terrifyingly invigorating. “Mentally, I knew who I was since I was 12-years-old” Gabby says, “publicly, I “came out” five-years-ago, and socially about four-years-ago”, she continues, “I’ve spent many years on the psychologist’s couch fighting mental illness. Being Transgender is the hardest thing in my life but also the most rewarding”.
Irene, 34, was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, but grew up in Switzerland. She has ongoing battles with depression since a very young age, and experiences social anxiety as a result of having a difficult relationship with her family. “At two-years-old, I was adopted from a Brazilian orphanage and unfortunately, I could never bond with my adoptive family” says Irene, “psychologists never help, nor did talking with friends. No one ever understood me. I never got over being adopted. And that’s where it all starts.”, she says. In 2019, Gabby met Irene. They spoke for 8-hours straight on their first date and moved in together two weeks later. After four-months the couple discussed their lack of mental support growing up. Gabby had been wanting to offer her advice and support based on her personal experiences but lacked the courage and support to pursue it. With the assistance and determination of Irene, eight months later, they launched their self-funded, not-for-profit support service and community for Transgender and greater LGBTQI+ community, TransGlitterUs.
“I had very little to no support when I was growing up. It’s not been until recent years that I have plenty, after sourcing myself. This is why we started our business to help others in their early transition where it is needed most”, says Gabby.
The free support service is a rewarding project that has led the ladies to find a better mental place.
“I have good days and really bad days. I can be very depressed for a couple of days but then tell myself that I can manage this and better days will come” says Irene, “so, I normally give myself a project to concentrate my energy on. Since the business, there is always something to do which helps a lot”.
Gabby and Irene are on a mission to help others in the LGBTQI+ community find their better place. TransGlitterUs is a double-sided business; not-for-profit, free support for Transgender Women and a brand of high-quality, affordable Make-Up where proceeds go towards funding the support. They also offer intimate Make-Up lessons in a welcome and safe environment.
In November, 2020, Irene proposed to Gabby in front of a small Transgender Women’s group. They say with the love, support and acceptance shown by each other they are liberated and can achieve anything. Gabby and Irene are currently planning their wedding for August, 2021.
If you would like more information about the services and makeup offered by TransGlitterUs, please visit us at http://www.transglitterus.com.au or connect with us socially www.facebook.com/transglitterus or www.instagram.com/transglitterus
Photo credit: Gabby George and Irene Nobel.
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