Ella Marques - I was born a boy, from Venus

2017, Ella Marques, English, Interview,

Full title: "I was born a boy, from Venus: It's time to be yourself" by Ella Marques. This book was the first autobiography of Ella Marques. In 2020, she published her second book: "Coming Home to Venus: The story of a woman transitioning to her real self".

“I Was Born a Boy, From Venus: It’s Time to Be Yourself” by Ella Marques is a memoir that defies the ordinary, blending personal revelation with a global perspective. Published as the first autobiography of Marques, the book chronicles her journey as a transgender woman, capturing the courage, complexity, and ultimate joy of living authentically. 

 

Born in Portugal in 1956, Ella’s early life took her from her homeland to the elite corridors of Le Rosey, a Swiss boarding school known for educating the children of the world’s elite. She pursued Mechanical Engineering in London and later achieved an MBA, spending much of her professional life in Switzerland, Paris, and Brazil, working at high-level management positions. The narrative of her life is not just about transition; it is about an international journey, one marked by diverse cultures, languages, and extraordinary experiences that shaped her understanding of the world.

 

Ella Marques’ memoir is infused with her belief that being transgender is not merely a personal journey but a societal mirror reflecting courage, resilience, and potential for contribution. In her 2017 interview for The Heroines of My Life, she described herself as a global citizen who speaks seven languages, including Polish, and has lived in cities from London and Paris to Fortaleza, Brazil, and numerous Swiss locales. Her memoir’s purpose extends beyond personal storytelling. She wanted to educate those unfamiliar with transgender lives, emphasizing that what trans people experience is not a choice and highlighting the risks and challenges they face, including alarming rates of mental health struggles. Equally, she sought to offer hope and guidance to transgender individuals themselves, encouraging self-confidence, courage, and persistence in becoming their true selves. Lastly, she wrote to parents, underscoring the transformative power of acceptance in a child’s development, advocating for love, understanding, and support from the very beginning.

 

Transitioning at the age of 59, Marques’ story illustrates that embracing one’s authentic self can occur at any stage in life. She openly recounts the difficulties of early transition, the financial and bureaucratic hurdles, and the nuanced social challenges of being seen and accepted. She speaks candidly about self-doubt, guilt, and the need to cultivate inner confidence to navigate a world that can often be hostile to transgender people. Yet, her narrative is far from somber. She emphasizes the positivity, resilience, and valuable contributions of the transgender community, challenging stereotypes and advocating for visibility, understanding, and integration within society at large. Marques’ memoir is threaded with humor, warmth, and reflections on beauty, love, and fashion, presenting a portrait of a woman fully embracing life with grace and vibrancy. 

 

Beyond personal experiences, Marques addresses the broader societal landscape. She reflects on the disparities in acceptance across countries, noting that a nation’s respect for women and LGBTQ+ individuals is a measure of its social advancement. She has witnessed firsthand how progressive workplaces in the United States can support transgender employees, yet she also recognizes ongoing challenges, including tokenism, discrimination, and systemic inequities. Her advocacy work, including volunteering with organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign, National Center for Transgender Equality, and her own South Florida TG Social, demonstrates her commitment to structural change and community building, underpinned by hope rather than anger.

Marques’ memoir is interwoven with rich anecdotes and personal reflections. She speaks about the importance of role models, the impact of cultural exposure, and the significance of love and family. In her own words, her experiences show that acceptance and visibility are essential not only for individual fulfillment but for the advancement of society as a whole. Her story resonates because it presents the journey of a woman who has navigated diverse cultural landscapes, conquered personal fears, and emerged as a confident, inspiring figure, fully aware of her influence and responsibility as a transgender advocate.

 

The book acknowledges the evolution of her life and expresses gratitude toward those who treated her with fairness and respect. In 2020, Marques invited readers to follow her journey in her subsequent work, Coming Home to Venus: The Story of a Woman Transitioning to Her Real Self, which delves deeper into the continued challenges and triumphs of living authentically. Through her writing, Ella Marques bridges personal narrative and social advocacy, offering a voice that is both intimate and universally resonant. Her memoir is a testament to courage, resilience, and the enduring power of being unapologetically oneself, reminding readers that it is never too late to embrace the truth of who they are. The story of Ella Marques is one of laughter, tears, and inspiration, a vivid illustration of a life that is as international and extraordinary as it is profoundly human.

Available via Amazon

and The Heroines of My Life

Photo via The Heroines of My Life

 

Other related sources: