In 2014, Amanda Jette Knox’s life looked like a suburban idyll in Kanata: a husband, three sons, and a cozy home. But within two years, the “traditional” picture changed forever: first her child, and then her husband, came out as transgender. Instead of divorce and drama, Ottawa witnessed a story that became the bestseller “Love Lives Here.” Ottawaski explores how one family reshaped the conversation around gender across Canada.
Gender Identity and the Search for Self: A Candid Story
The Knox family once appeared to be a traditional household of six: a husband, a wife, and three young boys. However, their world was about to be completely redefined.
In 2014, their middle child came out as transgender via a heartfelt email. Just a year and a half later, Amanda’s partner of 18 years shared that she, too, identified as a woman. This extraordinary double-transition was later featured in the award-winning documentary Day 6.
Since then, the family has transformed their private experiences into a mission to help others. Amanda travels across the country as a speaker, often accompanied by her family, to bridge the gap in public understanding and promote radical tolerance. Her work focuses on humanizing the transgender experience for those who may not have encountered it personally.
The children adapted to these changes with remarkable grace. In fact, her sons famously remarked that they had always wanted a sister, welcoming the news with open arms.
Amanda admits that when her child first came out, saying she felt like “a girl trapped in a boy’s body,” Amanda had to confront her own misconceptions. These biases were rooted in outdated media tropes and television caricatures. She navigated this learning curve independently and eventually launched her popular blog, The Maven of Mayhem, to guide other parents through similar transitions.
Today, they remain a tight-knit family of five—two parents and three children—but with a newfound level of honesty and open communication. Their advocacy even caught the attention of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who met the family to thank them for their work. A framed photo of that meeting now holds a place of pride in their home, symbolizing the shift toward a more inclusive social landscape.
Amanda’s Marriage: A Partnership Redefined
When her spouse (now Zoe Knox) came out, Amanda describes it as a moment of pure shock. The family had only just settled into the reality of their daughter Alexis’s transition when another bombshell dropped. Despite 18 years of marriage, Zoe had been struggling in silence. The transition was a “heavy night” for both, involving hours of difficult conversation in a parked car.
The couple’s history dates back to the early 90s when they met as teenagers at a party. They were dating within a month, had their first child two years later, and officially tied the knot in 1997.
Initially, Zoe feared the revelation would end their marriage. Instead, it marked the beginning of a deeply emotional rebuilding process. Through weeks of tears, long walks, and soul-searching, Amanda had to re-evaluate her own identity and sexuality. Ultimately, they chose to stay together, realizing they were true soulmates.
The family lives in the Ottawa suburb of Kanata. For their 20th anniversary, they renewed their wedding vows in a small ceremony before setting off on a family honeymoon to Western Canada.
Zoe’s Transition
A year later, Zoe emerged. The children had worried their parents were divorcing, so the news about Zoe was equally confusing at first. For their eldest, 20-year-old Aerik, the announcement brought a sense of loss, as his father had been his primary male role model.
After this, the family began sharing the news with friends and relatives. They acknowledge that they had to say goodbye to some friends, but for the most part, the reaction was overwhelmingly positive.
At work, no one knew about Zoe’s transition initially. Before coming out publicly, Zoe took a few weeks of leave and sent an email to her colleagues. She informed them of her new name and pronouns. Despite her fear of judgment, she received an outpouring of support in return.
Her colleagues decorated her office and threw a party. Meanwhile, Amanda’s blog post about Zoe returning to work went viral.
Love Lives Here: A Story of Thriving in a Transgender Family
Amanda Jette Knox once dreamed of a simple, stable life: meeting the love of her life, getting married, and having three children. But everything changed. First, her son came out as transgender, and then her husband. Amanda looked for positive examples of marriages that survived such situations but found none. That’s when she decided her family would be that example. In her 2019 memoir, she shares her story with honesty and humor, discussing the challenges transgender people face. Love Lives Here is a beautiful story of transition, disappointment, support, acceptance, and love.
Expanding the Family: Ashley’s Story
The Knox family is known for embracing change, but the arrival of their fourth child was a special chapter. It began with a simple gesture of kindness: when Amanda’s daughter, Alexis, was in eighth grade, she invited a new student with nowhere to sit at lunch to join them. That girl was Ashley.
Despite Ashley being in the foster care system and frequently moving schools, the bond between the girls remained strong. When it became clear Ashley might become a “Ward of the Crown” without a permanent family, the Knoxes made a definitive choice. They already loved Ashley like their own, so she officially became the fourth child in their home.
The Mission of Amanda Jette Knox in the Modern World
Amanda Jette Knox’s work is a unique example of how a private family story can transform into a powerful tool for social change and advocacy. Her recognition, including the Joan Gullen Journalism Award and features in major media outlets like The Globe and Mail and The Today Show, underscores the relevance of her mission.
The core value of her work lies in normalizing diversity. Through her blog, The Maven of Mayhem, and public appearances, Amanda breaks down the wall between “different” families and the rest of society. She masterfully proves that despite fundamental changes in identity, core values like love and support remain unchanged. Her path shows that inclusivity is not a complex political concept, but a natural expression of humanity and respect.
Today, Amanda Jette Knox serves as a vital bridge between communities. Her ability to speak openly about complex issues helps thousands of people overcome their fear of the unknown, inspiring them to build a world where everyone can be themselves without losing their connection to their loved ones. Ultimately, her work is a manifesto that differences should not divide us, as unconditional acceptance lies at the heart of every happy family.
