skip to main content
Amanda Dean
Amanda Dean
00:58

Amanda Dean

Queensland Association for Healthy Communities

Brisbane, Queensland AUS

"Celebrate the fact that you find happiness in your life more important than financial success or your parents' dreams."

Career Roadmap

Amanda's work combines: Medicine, Non-Profit Organizations, and Helping People

See more careers and stories that connect to your interests.

Take Roadmap Quiz

Day In The Life

Transgender Health Advocate/Health Promotions Officer

I meet with local transgender women and men in Cairns, building relationships and sharing information.

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life has been direct

  • 1.

    Knew she liked to dress up in girls' clothes, but didn't have transgender peers, so wasn't sure how to express herself.

  • 2.

    Spent most of her childhood feeling like there was something "wrong" with her.

  • 3.

    Found a "safe place" at her university, where people were more open about expressing their sexualities and identities.

  • 4.

    Once she felt comfortable, she left one semester as "Adam," came back as Amanda.

  • 5.

    Was terrified that she would lose her family, friends once she came out, but found a surprising amount of support.

  • 6.

    Has dealt with depression, has seen trans friends commit suicide; says it's an everyday struggle.

  • 7.

    Chose the name Amanda as an homage to the name that her parents had given her.

  • 8.

    Says you should always value your own happiness over financial success, or the need to appease others.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from undefined:

  • How I responded:

Experiences and challenges that shaped me

Click to expand

  • I learned from an early age that you have to hide it if you want to not get harassed. You end up hating yourself for the way you feel.