Boxing Day Sale is live! Up to 20% off 2000+ Books

The Truth Will Set You Free

Growing Up Gay in Opus Dei
Brief Description
When you are raised to believe that the person you are is unacceptable, you hide. And you stay hidden. If you are X-Men and Dance Academy star Tim Pocock, you become an expert at hiding - until you can't anymore. Tim Pocock was a born performer.... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$3999
FAST NZ-WIDE DELIVERY Ships from our Auckland Warehouse. In-store pickups from our Auckland store.

Found a better price? Request a price match

The Truth Will Set You Free

When you are raised to believe that the person you are is unacceptable, you hide. And you stay hidden. If you are X-Men and Dance Academy star Tim Pocock, you become an expert at hiding - until you can't anymore.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
When you are raised to believe that the person you are is unacceptable, you hide. And you stay hidden. If you are X-Men and Dance Academy star Tim Pocock, you become an expert at hiding - until you can't anymore.

Tim Pocock was a born performer. At ten, he took to the stage as a professional opera singer. At twenty-two, he launched his acting career in the blockbuster X-Men Origins: Wolverine and went on to star in the beloved series Dance Academy.

But Tim's biggest role was one he never auditioned for – the role he played at home as a devout, straight son. Raised in a deeply conservative Catholic family and attending a school with links to Opus Dei, Tim knew that he would never be accepted for who he was. Being gay was out of the question. Tim was encouraged to become a priest and experienced gay conversion therapy to have his sexuality hypnotised out of him.

This captivating memoir reveals shocking details of Tim's strict religious upbringing and the institutional harms he experienced. After his bid for freedom, Tim traversed the glitzy landscape of Los Angeles, navigated the pressures of the acting industry, and made chaotic forays into the gay dating scene – all while carrying immense trauma.

With unflinching honesty, Tim reveals his journey toward healing, discovery and self-acceptance. In doing so, he offers hope for anyone who is still in hiding from the person they know they are and shows how we can set ourselves free.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780733652530

Publisher: Hachette Australia

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 25 June 2025

Country: Australia

Imprint: Hachette Australia

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 300g

Pages: 272

About the Author

Tim Pocock is an Australian actor, producer, musician and advocate originally from Johannesburg, South Africa. An award-winning pianist and singer, Tim began his career on the Sydney Opera House stage at a young age, before embarking on a successful career in the Film and Television industry. With credits including X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Home and Away, the multi-Logie-winning series Dance Academy and three-time AACTA-nominated film Godless: The Eastfield Exorcism, for which he also served as executive producer, Tim also stars in the upcoming noir thriller Body Blow, set for release in 2025.

In recent years, Tim has set his sights on advocating for the LGBTIQ+ community, speaking out on institutionalised homophobia and playing an active part in recent legislative changes made in the NSW parliament's criminalisation of conversion therapy practices.

More from Biography & Memoir

View all

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 80,000 books and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.