As a child, Alex Caruana always felt more comfortable in the company of boys and years later, during his teens, he found himself wearing men's clothing. 

Back then, Alex was a woman, but he claims he knew from a very young age, he was in the wrong body. 

"I felt huge anxiety, I didn't know what was happening to me. I had panic attacks, I cried," he tells Times of Malta's online editor Herman Grech in this week's edition of Times Talk. 

One year to date, the learning support assistant started the medical transition, a painful process which included the removal of the breasts as the body was injected with testosterone.

Unlike many who undergo the same transition, Mr Caruana did not hide the medical operations. On the contrary, he even posted pictures of the interventions on his Facebook wall. 

"I resorted to making my transition public because I know how difficult it is for some people to explain their situation."

At no point did he regret changing his sex, saying he loves to wake up in the morning to see what has changed in his body - whether it's the voice, more hair, or stronger muscles. 

The interview is being uploaded as Malta formally introduces gay marriage through the new Marriage Equality Act.

Asked whether he felt Maltese society was changing in its attitudes towards the LGBTIQ at the same pace as the change in laws, he replied:

"In the last year, I've never found anyone who tells you something to ruin my day, but you always wonder which places are safe and which aren't. Safety is always at the back of your mind. But yes, society has changed."

Watch the full interview in the clip above.