Amaia Brooke is an author, speaker, registered nurse, advocate and activist for LGBTQ+ youth. She is member of the LGBTQ+ community, identifies as queer, non-binary, and uses she/they pronouns. Her children’s book, Transformed, helps LGBTQ+ youth feel loved, accepted, and empowered in a world that still makes them feel unseen, wrong, and rejected for who they are.

Growing up in an abusive and religious home, she was taught that homosexuality was bad and wrong and it was also a choice to be overcome. Not having a supportive environment created a negative self-image, so she retreated inward and went in the closet.

In her twenties, Amaia finally gained the courage to come out to her family, including her brother who had become a Pastor of the same type of church she grew up in, but experienced the ultimate rejection of them disowning her. This caused her to seek help, and her healing journey finally began.

With therapy and the love of her chosen family, Amaia transformed herself into a thriving woman who is a beacon of hope to LGBTQ+ children- and any who have been subject to bullying, abuse, or feelings of low self-esteem.

As a child, Amaia used books and studying as her escape from her painful childhood. The library was her safe place. Her love of reading led Amaia to find a way to make something good come of her negative childhood experiences and authored her children’s book, Transformed, for LGBTQ+ youth. It’s the book she wishes she could have read as a child. Transformed changes the narrative for LGBTQ+ children by letting them know they are not alone, that things will get better, and that it’s okay to be who they are.

Having attempted suicide as a teenager, Amaia is passionate about supporting The Trevor Project. It is a leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week to LGBTQ+ young people aged 25 and under. She donates ten percent of proceeds of her book sales to their cause.

She wants to empower those who may be experiencing bullying from peers, abuse, or rejection from family to know it’s not your fault. The journey of reading Transformed will help you realize there is nothing wrong with who you are, to empower you to radically love yourself, to have the courage to live your truth, and forgive those who have made you feel inferior for who you are.