"Don't Look Away" by Danielle Laidley: A Courageous Memoir of Identity, Struggle, and Triumph Now a Stan Original Documentary, "Don't Look Away" is the deeply moving and fearless memoir of Danielle Laidley, former AFL player and senior AFL coach. This powerful and disarming book tells the story of her lifelong struggle with her gender identity, set against the backdrop of a hyper-masculine sporting world. A Story of Duality: Strength and Vulnerability On the surface, Danielle Laidley was known as a tough and uncompromising figure in elite football, but behind this persona was a person living in constant fear, vulnerability, and uncertainty. For decades, Danielle hid her true identity—knowing she was female despite being assigned male at birth. From her early years growing up in Perth to her time as a married father of three, and throughout her AFL career, Danielle carried this secret, compartmentalizing her life to maintain the facade. A Life of Secrets and Pain In "Don't Look Away", Danielle recounts how she navigated the demands of her professional life while struggling internally with her gender identity. Her pursuit of sporting success and later reliance on substances helped her manage the pain, but rumors of her transgender identity eventually started to surface. As the walls closed in, Danielle had no choice but to confront her truth. An Unflinching Memoir of Transition and Courage This memoir offers an uncensored look at both the world of elite AFL football and the internal battle Danielle faced in concealing her true self. It is a raw, honest, and inspiring story of what it takes to finally live as Danielle May Laidleyand the courage required to step into the world as your authentic self. Praise for "Don't Look Away": "It's an inspiring, disarming, and deeply moving book, and it deserves to be widely read." – Craig Silvey
