About Us

TransLucent is a trans led  advocacy and human rights organisation working for the transgender and gender-diverse community in the UK – in 2022, we were awarded the prestigious title of ‘LGBT Organisation of the Year’ at the ITV-sponsored National Diversity Awards. We have been described by the UK’s Equality and Human Rights Commission as a ‘key stakeholder’ for trans human rights. We are registered as a Community  Interest Company (CIC) with Companies House  (14437177). 

History

Originating from an online blog launched in 2020, we rebranded to TranLucent becoming a CIC in November 2022 and, in total, have made three human rights submissions to the United Nations. In November 2023, we held our first London Conference just 100 yards from the Houses of Parliament, which both peers from the House of Lords, MPs and researchers attended. 

In April 2024, we started to provide briefing notes to the UK’s Labour Party, a significant step in our advocacy efforts. We currently interact with three government departments: The Office for Equality and Opportunity, The Department for Health and Social Care and the Ministry of Justice and other stakeholders.

Mission

Our mission is simple – we campaign for visibility, acceptance, legal recognition, and healthcare for the trans community, as well as countering misinformation and disinformation from the media and trans-hostile actors. Our work directly impacts the lives of transgender individuals, fostering a more inclusive and understanding society. 

Our Team

Our team, which comprises over twenty dedicated individuals, has as patron The Rt Honourable Lord Michael Cashman CBE.

The Rt Honourable Lord Michael Cashman CBE.

Lord Cashman (he/him) was a co-founder of the LGBT charity Stonewall, and his service as a Member of the European Parliament for the West Midlands from 1999 to 2014, together with his unwavering dedication to human rights, make him the ideal patron for an organisation campaigning for a marginalised and victimised community.  

Steph Richards

Our CEO and initial founder, Steph Richards (she/her, MtF), has been a researcher and campaigner for over two decades, working with three well-known health charities. Her leadership has been instrumental in leading TransLucent to our national LGBT award, and her achievements serve as a testament to the impact of our work and inspire us to continue our advocacy. Steph received an ‘Inspirational Woman of Portsmouth Award’ in 2023 and regularly appears on national TV and radio. Steph, is just one of a handful of trans women to have been platformed by BBC’s Women’s Hour. She has also debated trans human rights at an American university alongside author Carole Hooven. 

Paul Levene

Paul Levene, (he/him) is a Director of TransLucent, bringing a unique perspective to our team as a parent of a trans daughter. Paul is widely considered a world expert on trans people in sports. His successful high-level management and business career and straightforward and professional communication style make him a valuable asset to our organisation.

Nicola Petfield

Nicola Petfield (she/her, Mtf) is a non-executive director of TransLucent and has established experience in consumer legal cases as an expert witness at tribunals. She brings those skills to human rights and feminism within the organisation. Nicola has previously worked within the national media and is our event’s organiser & finance coordinator.

Professor Stephen Whittle

Professor Stephen Whittle, OBE (he/him, FtM) transitioning in 1975, Stephen’s work has earned him several major international awards. He has been a Professor of Equalities Law at Manchester Metropolitan University since 2007 and co-founded Press for Change (PFC) in 1992, a UK-based trans rights lobby group. PFC was instrumental in achieving significant legal changes, including forming the Gender Recognition Act 2004 and gaining complete protection for the trans community under the Equality Act 2010. Stephen was also President of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATHWPATH World Professional Association for Transgender Health https://www.wpath.org) from 2007 to 2009.

Robin Moira White

Robin Moira White (she/her, Mtf) is a distinguished barrister based in the UK. She is known for her employment and discrimination law expertise, particularly in transgender rights cases. She was the first barrister to transition from male to female while practising in 2011. She is the “go-to lawyer” in handling cases related to gender reassignment discrimination, breaking new ground for non-binary people in the Taylor v Jaguar Landrover case. Robin is co-author of “A Practical Guide to Transgender Law,” which provides valuable insights for both employers and employees in trans law issues. Robin practices at Old Square Chambers in London and also in Bristol.

Dr Finn Mackay

Dr Finn Mackay (he/she/they/them) is a British sociologist, feminist activist, and Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University of the West of England (UWE) in Bristol. Dr. Mackay has over twenty years of experience in feminist activism and policy and is known for their work on gender studies, feminist theory, and activism. Finn founded the London Feminist Network in 2004 and revived the Reclaim the Night movement, which campaigns against male violence and women’s right to walk freely at night. Finn has authored several books, including “Radical Feminism: Feminist Activism in Movement” and “Female Masculinities and the Gender Wars: The Politics of Sex” they are a regular commentator in the media, appearing on platforms such as BBC Radio 4, The Guardian, and Channel 4.

Rob Cleary

Rob Cleary PhD (he/him) – with a background in psychology and following a thirty-year career in and around the NHS (most recently a lengthy period as Content Director for the NHS website), Rob joined TransLucent to contribute research and analysis. Rob led our team (mainly of experts outside of TransLucent) to respond to the Cass Report, which was subsequently “supported and endorsed” by the LGBT Consortium, the UK’s LGBT+ umbrella organisation with over 650 members.

Dr Dee Silver *

Dr Dee Silver (she/her) is a highly experienced psychologist who formerly worked within the NHS, leading two departments. She now works part-time in a government department. Dr Silver has three daughters, one of whom is trans.

Dr Lewis James *

Dr Lewis James, PhD (he/him) is an Assistant Professor at a UK university with expertise in Neurosciences. Dr James also holds both an MSc and a BSc in Physics.

Dr Penny Neary *

Dr Penny Neary (she/her) is an author and trans rights activist. She has considerable knowledge of mental health issues.

Julie Miller

Julie Miller (gf) is a professional presenter and public speaker, having learned her presentation skills in her 25-year army career, including at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, and Army Staff College. She is a Crown Prosecution Service Hate Crime Scrutiny panel member and our hate crime representative on the True Vision Independent Advisory Group panel.

Rachel Walters

Rachel Walters (she/her, Mtf) is a former civil servant and Search and Rescue team member. She has interests in trans healthcare research and legal issues and is a key part of our investigative team. Rachel is also a member of her local Police Independent Advisory Group and an NHS Patient Partner volunteer.

Katie Neeves

Katie Neeves (she/her, Mtf) founded Cool2BTrans, which supports and inspires trans people and educates others about our community. She regularly appears in the media and is a freelance BBC presenter, winning many national awards, including the British Diversity Awards Hero of the Year 2023. Katie was listed on the Global Diversity List 2023 as a Diversity Champion.

Cat Lowry *

Cat Lowry (she/her) is a former CEO of a domestic abuse charity and has also worked for numerous high-profile domestic abuse organisations in various positions. Cat is our safeguarding officer and fundraiser. She has two daughters, one MtF and one cisgender.

Judith King *

Judith King (she/her, MtF) is a high-profile author and a former newspaper journalist.

Sam Hampshire *

Sam Hampshire (she/her/they/them) is a IT expert and is our website manager.

John Harris *

John Harris (he/him, FtM) is an author and our expert on the internal workings of the prison system

Ann Hobbs *

Ann Hobbs (she/her, MtF) is a data researcher and trans rights activist, having been one of the first people in the UK to benefit from puberty blockers back in 2020.

Alex Adams *

Alex Adams (they/them, non-binary) is a student at a high-profile university in the midlands and produces some of TransLucent’s graphic design.

Mary Lewis *

Mary Lewis (she/her, Mtf) is a retired accountancy specialist and an active member of the Conservative Party.

Jamie King *

Jamie King (she/her, MtF) is our expert on legal gender recognition law in Europe and part of our team regarding Gender Recognition Act reform in the UK.

Annabel James *

Annabel James (she/her, MtF) is a volunteer fundraiser living in North England.

Sophie Manson *

Sophie Manson is a passionate Lesbian Intersectional Feminist working as a Community Outreach and Policy Analyst for a leading LGBT rights organisation. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by transgender individuals, Sophie dedicates her work to fostering inclusive and equitable communities.

 * alias, required for operational reasons.