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Transgender rights activist Paris Lees spoke about her struggles growing up and her new autobiography on This Morning today.

The 26-year-old redhead, who was born a boy and served time in prison for a robbery before turning her life around and becoming an activist, explained how her family first thought she was gay because she was attracted to men.

She told hosts Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford: "My family just didn't know anything about it. They didn't know in the 90s what to do with kids like me.

"I had people in my family struggle with it and faced family rejection. My mum has been on a bit of a journey, she didn't want to tell people, she didn't want to tell her colleagues. It took her a while but now she's my biggest fan, she can't shut up about it."

(Image: ITV)

Paris is now writing a book about her life and admits she has been through "really tough" and "pretty dark" times during her transition and found puberty difficult.

She said: "I did feel quite distant from my family. I ended up going out and taking loads of drugs, sneaking into clubs at aged 14 and 15."

"I've had to go through an educational process myself. I knew I was attracted to guys from when I was younger. Everyone thought that meant I was gay.

"I'm happiest being the way I am now, I don't need to know why, this is just how I feel happiest. Everyone should have an opportunity to be who they want to be. It doesn't hurt anybody and people need to respect that."