7 Best Speakers for Transgender Awareness Week
Discover 7 of the best Transgender Awareness Week speakers with Evolve – promoting inclusion and diversity.
28 Jul 2025
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Awareness Days
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Transgender Awareness Week is a great opportunity for your organisation to shine a light on inclusivity and champion equality. At Evolve, we work with some of the UK’s most inspiring transgender personalities and speakers who can both inspire and trigger real change.
Whether you’re planning a talk or workshop, we know that having the right voice can drive lasting impact. In this blog, we’ll take a look at seven of the best Transgender Awareness Week speakers, who can explain their experiences and outline why the week matters to everyone – not just the LGBTQ+ community.
What is Transgender Awareness Week?
Transgender Awareness Week is an annual event that culminates in Transgender Day of Remembrance on the 20th of November every year.
First and foremost, it provides a place for the achievements and visibility of trans, non-binary and gender diverse people to be celebrated. As well as this, it offers the chance to remember victims of transphobic violence and educating for a kinder society.
Each year, the week provides an ideal time for businesses, schools and charities to host events and hear from those in the trans community.
When is Transgender Awareness Week?
Transgender Awareness Week takes place every year from 13th to 19th November before Transgender Remembrance Day on 20th November.
Since the 1950s, there have been events celebrating the trans community, but the first International Transgender Day of Visibility was launched in 2009, and it now lasts an entire week each year.
Why Should Businesses Recognise Transgender Awareness Week?
Not only is acknowledging Transgender Awareness Week just the right thing to do, but it can also enhance your business. By actively promoting diversity and inclusion, you will position yourself as a safe and respectful employer for everyone which can help to attract top talent.
All of our Transgender Awareness Week speakers can encourage inclusive leadership and promote a culture of understanding and respect throughout your workplace.
What are the benefits of Hiring a Speaker for Transgender Awareness Week?
There are a wide range of benefits to hiring Transgender Awareness Week speakers, helping to move the conversation beyond corporate policy and shining a light on people’s lived realities.
Below are some benefits.
- Getting a first-hand perspective on issues such as gender identity, transition and workplace inclusion
- Actionable takeaways for leadership and HR teams
- Increased awareness on inclusion and equality in your workplace
- A memorable experience for all attendees
Best Transgender Awareness Week Speakers
Let’s take a look at seven of our best Transgender Awareness Week speakers who can deliver authentic and moving talks on a range of gender issues.
Kellie Maloney
A former boxing promoter and well-known public figure, Kellie Maloney made headlines when she came out as a trans woman in 2014. Her story of how she battled her personal demons and navigated her transition is incredibly powerful.
As one of the most famous transgender people in Britain, she uses her platform as an inspirational keynote speaker to discuss her story with audiences while also captivating people with life lessons that resonate in all environments.
Katie Neeves
Despite living as a man for 48 years, Katie Neeves knew from the age of three or four that she was female. A multi-award-winning speaker, photographer and now transgender ambassador since coming out she has been a passionate advocate for the trans community.
The founder of Cool2BTrans, an organisation that aims to support people everywhere with issues surrounding identity, she uses humour and honesty to educate audiences on a whole host of trans and gender issues. Katie’s life is one of a kind and her experiences make her perfect for all Transgender Awareness Week events.
Matt Ellison
Matt Ellison is a trans man and keynote speaker who specialises in training organisations to be more trans-inclusive. He gained national fame when starring on the Channel 4 documentary Me and My Penis which tackled a range of topics including gender identity and mental health issues.
All of his speaking engagements offer clear, compassionate guidance on gender identity and workplace best practices, helping show how people can support trans colleagues. Over the years he has consulted for major organisations such as Microsoft, eBay, Mars, Toyota, Disney and more.
Joanne Lockwood
The founder and CEO of SEE Change Happen, Joanne Lockwood is a transgender woman who is a role model for the LGBT+ community.
She personally understands the struggles people in the trans community face and helps organisations embrace diversity through inclusive leadership. Her success has been widely recognised, and in 2022 she was voted as one of the ‘Top 30 Diversity and Inclusion Leaders You Must Follow’. She also appeared in the Channel 4 documentary The Making of Me which detailed her gender transition and the impact it had on both her and those around her.
At all her events, she offers empowering insights that can create safer spaces and embed inclusive workplace cultures.
Charlie Martin
Charlie Martin is a professional racing driver and LGBTQ+ advocate who made history when she became one of the first openly transgender drivers in motorsport. She’s had huge success on the track, competing in the German VLN Championship and the 2021 Britcar Endurance Championship.
She also uses her platform and life experiences to raise awareness of transgender rights, receiving huge recognition from within the community and the wider world. She also works as an ambassador for Racing Pride and the LGBT charity Stonewall’s first-ever Sports Ambassador.
Charlie can speak to audiences about breaking down barriers and owning your identity making her the perfect choice for all Transgender Awareness Week events.
Shelley Bridgman
An award-winning psychotherapist and mindset coach, Shelley Bridgman has dedicated her career to the principle that everyone can achieve great things. Her talks combine impactful stories about identity with hard-hitting mental health messages; she can give audiences both knowledge and inspiration.
James Elliott
James Elliott is a trans-man and trans inclusion expert who shares his personal journey of identity and transition with audiences everywhere. His unique story can resonate with audiences everywhere and he always challenges preconceptions regarding gender identity and masculinity. His work as a diversity expert has seen him travel around the world and he’s even discussed trans issues with Buddhist monks in Japanese temples. Able to connect with all audiences, James is the perfect speaker for all Transgender Awareness Week events.
Book Transgender Speakers for Your Next Event
Transgender Awareness Week is a chance to educate and inspire, and by bringing an experienced speaker to your event you’re not only showing your support – you’re helping create a more inclusive future.
At Evolve, we work with some of the best transgender speakers in the industry, and to make a booking just give us a call on 0115 778 8131 or send an email to info@evolve-agency.co.uk
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