tonight delia gongalves gives us an inside look at a transgender life, the struggle for acceptance andat sometimes follows. >> reporter: they fled their native nicaragua for a new life in america. >> you have to be happy with who you are. >> reporter: but finding happiness would put the family through one of its biggest challenges yet. young carlos wanted to become a girl. >> spanish has a problem with, you know, gays. >> reporter: the main obstacle was getting acceptance from dad. after all, carlos was his only son. >> there wasn't a connection. >> it was hard. >> reporter: carlos now consuela loves her father but it was her mother who first embraced her. >> i had one shirt that my mother bought me and the first time that she was like, you know, if you're going to be a girl, be a pretty girl. >> reporter: it's been 20 years. >> i still have it in my closet. i'm never going to throw it away. >> reporter: she transitioned with some plastic surgery at 17. starting hormone therapy at 18. we met with her and her relatives over several visits. >> who is this person? >> who is this person. >