Katie Neeves is a woman on a mission – but not just any woman and not just any mission! She lived for 48 years as a man while struggling with her gender from the age of 3 and hiding her big secret to the World. She was thrown into turmoil... Read more
Katie Neeves is a woman on a mission – but not just any woman and not just any mission! She lived for 48 years as a man while struggling with her gender from the age of 3 and hiding her big secret to the World. She was thrown into turmoil when her gender dysphoria increased dramatically, causing her to go on a voyage of discovery before finally admitting to herself that she is a transgender woman and that she needed to live her truth.
She then came out very publicly via a coming-out video which she posted on her social media and sent to all the clients of her photography business, risking her livelihood and reputation in the process.
Katie formed Cool2BTrans to support and inspire other trans people and to educate everyone else, by showing them that trans people are just ordinary people who want to be happy – just like everyone else. She is a presenter and event host and she helps organisations with diversity and inclusion by providing trans awareness training and inspirational speaking in an entertaining way, using humour to break down barriers.
Her media appearances on ITV, BBC, Channel 5, and in international printed media coupled with numerous accolades including National Diversity Awards Positive Role Model for LGBT 2025 and British Diversity Awards Hero of the Year 2023, underscore her influential role in fostering understanding and inclusion through positive visibility and storytelling. Katie was also listed as a diversity champion on the Global Diversity List 2023, she was on the Top 100 Influential People in the UK 2024 list and she was on the DIVA Power List 2023. She was a National Diversity Awards Positive Role Model for LGBT Award 2024 finalist too. Her other awards include the Trans in the City Trans Community Champion 2022 Award, the This is Us Training & Development Award 2023, the Women’s Awards East Midlands Outstanding Female LGBTQIA+ Champion 2023 Award and Fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce for her work as a trans ambassador.
Katie is a tireless campaigner for trans rights too, as shown by her constant stream of social media posts, correcting misinformation and holding politicians and the media to account, while also empowering other trans people on their journey to live their authentic life.
Participants and audience members will leave Katie’s uplifting talks and training feeling both entertained and educated. Her talks have been described as “engaging, hilarious and exciting”, ”inspirational storytelling at its best!” and “the most exciting training in years”. Katie said “Many people focus on the negative aspects of being trans, but I prefer to approach the subject from a much more positive angle. I am exactly the same person I was before my transition – but far happier!”