The Journey of Becoming Me 2

​​Prologue

Every journey begins with a single step, but not every step is easy. Some are heavy with fear, others light with hope. My journey  has been a mixture of both.

I was born into aworld that often tells people like me that we  don’tbelong, that who we are is wrong, or that we should hide. But even in the middle of rejection and silence, there was always  a small voice inside me whispering, You are enough. You are  worthy. You are loved.

This book is not just my story—it is amirror of many untold  stories of young LGBTQ+ people who dream of acceptance, love, and freedom. It is about pain, but also about strength. It is about  loneliness, but also about the beautiful power of fnding your voice.

I write these words not only for myself, but for every child

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who feels diferent, every teenager who feels unseen, and every adult who still carries the weight of hiding. My journey maybe personal,but the truth it holds belongs to us all: we all deserve to live as our true selves.

This is not the end of my story—it is only the beginning. My  hope is that as you turn these pages, you will not only see me, but you will also see yourself, your courage, and the possibility of abrighter tomorrow.

Motivational Message

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No matter where you come from, no matter who stands against you, remember this:  the world needs your light.  Never dim yourself to make  others comfortable.  Keep  shining,  keep fghting, and keep believing in the power of your truth.

The journey of becoming you is the most powerful journey you will ever take

Introduction

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I wrote this book because my story matters—and so does yours.  For too long, I carried the weight of silence.  I carried pain, rejection,  and loneliness that I thought no one could ever understand. But I realized that if I shared my journey, maybe  someone else would fnd the courage to keep going.

This book is not just about me. It’s about every LGBTQ+ child  who has cried in secret, every teenager who has been bullied, every adult still trying to heal from the wounds of their past. It’s about showing that even after storms of rejection and hurt, there is still a rainbow—there is still hope.

I wrote this because I believe God’s love is big enough for all of us. I wrote it because I dream of a world where LGBTQ+ children can  grow up safe, accepted, and proud of who they are. And I wrote  it because Iwant parents, teachers, leaders, and communities  to see us, hear us, and love us.

What I hope is simple: that when someone opens these pages, they feel less alone. That they see themselves in my story and  fnd strength to rise again. That they discover faith, healing, and the courage to live their truth boldly and without shame.

And to every person who feels like they don’t belong—this book  is for you. You are not a mistake. You are not broken. You are loved, you are chosen, and you are here for a reason. Even if the world hasn’t told you yet, let me be the one to say it: there is nothing wrong with you. You are worthy of love, of life, and of afuture full of light.

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This is my story, but I pray it becomes your hope.

I

Part One

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Part 1: My Early Journey

Every journey has a beginning. Mine started in Polokwane,

Limpopo, where I was born into a family that loved me deeply,  even when they did not always understand me. Childhood is often described as atime of innocence and discovery, and forme, it was both of those things — but it was also a time of questions, doubts, and feelings I could not yet put into.

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RAMOADI LUCKY THABISO

Journey of becoming me

The rise of Ramoadi Lucky Thabiso

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First published by Ramoadi Lucky Thabiso 2025 Copyright © 2025 by Ramoadi Lucky Thabiso

All rights reserved. No part of this publication maybe reproduced, stored or

transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,

photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission

from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or

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distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fction. The names, characters and incidents

portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination.  Any resemblance to

actual persons,  living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

Ramoadi Lucky Thabiso asserts the moral right to be identifed as

the author of this work.

Ramoadi Lucky Thabiso has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of

URLs for external or third-party Internet Websites referred to in this

publication and does not guarantee that any content on such Websites is, or

will remain, accurate or appropriate.

Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed

as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on

its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and regis - tered

trademarks of theirrespective owners. The publishers and the book are not

associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the

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companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book.

First edition

Cover art by Nkosimm

This book was professionally typeset on Reedsy. Find out more at reedsy.com

Dedication

To every LGBTQ+ child who has ever felt unseen,  unloved,  or unwanted —

This book is for you.

May you always remember that you are worthy, you are loved, and you are never

alone.

Introduction

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​​Born to Be Me

I was born on September 23, 2010, in Polokwane, Limpopo, South Africa. From the very frst moment,I knew I was a little  diferent. Maybe it was how I looked at the world, or maybe it  was how I felt inside, but there was something about me that  didn’t match the typical expectations of a boy. I was the last born  in my family, and growing up,I noticed my siblings and cousins  played rough games, raced cars, and wrestled, while I was drawn