Former AFL legend Dani Laidley reveals heartbreaking battle with gender dysphoria

Ex-Kangaroos coach Danielle Laidley has opened up about her 50-year struggle with gender dysphoria.

Danielle Laidley has broken her silence to reveal gut-wrenching details about her 50-year battle with gender dysphoria.

Ms Laidley has opened up about desperately trying to keep her decades-old secret from her friends, family and footy club in a 60 Minutes episode set to air on Sunday.

“There used to be a skinny kid, bloke, running around a footy field like a maniac,” she tells 60 Minutes.

North Melbourne premiership player Danielle Laidley has shared her struggle with gender dysphoria. Picture: Darrian Traynor

“But that was a part of the mask, to cover up.”

Ms Laidley revealed how she kept people at arm’s length out of fear they would discover her real identity.

“I wouldn’t let people get close to me,” she recalls.

“I thought I was coping really well, but obviously that wasn’t the case.”

Danielle has revealed what it was like trying to hide her secret for 50 years.

In May 2020, the 53-year-old was arrested while wearing a dress and a blonde wig, and was charged with stalking and breaching a family violence order, among a series of other offences.

In the episode, the ex-footy star discusses how her struggle took a dangerous turn, leading to drug addictions, mental health emergencies and eventually a media storm.

While Ms Laidley was in custody, police officers took photos of her in her wig and dress, sharing them on social media.

Danielle Laidley first shared news she was with her partner Donna at a North Melbourne press conference in 2021. Picture: Alex Coppel

The photo quickly circulated, with TV, radio and print media broadcasting her struggles with substance abuse.

“I’ve just found it tough the whole way through,” she says.

“The photos were an invasion of privacy.”

While the former AFL star said it had been a hard road, she said she was at a point in her life where she was confident with her identity.

“I don’t have to hide anymore.”

Originally published as Former AFL legend Dani Laidley reveals heartbreaking battle with gender dysphoria