Trans+Connect

Rebecca is an advocate for trans women living with HIV. She has worked as an outreach officer for the Terrence Higgins Trust, promoting HIV testing in the community and is also a member of the Gilead Sciences’ pan-European Women’s Working Group on HIV. Since 2017, also one of 5 visionary for ViiV pharmaceuticals. Rebecca currently has her own TV show ‘Second Chances’ and currently works at HIV Ireland and TransPlus at 56 Dean st , Soho London.

She was reported in the national press as being the first woman in Ireland to transition. She has had an amazing and varied career, working as an award-winning hairstylist for Vidal Sassoon, and a Make up Artist for many top designers, fashion shows! Also, she was the director of her own successful model agency, as well as authoring the best-seller listed book His Name is Rebecca.

Rebecca works as a peer support worker at TransPLUS which is a new gender dysphoria clinic , she also leads in the laser hair removal for TransPLUS which is held at the Main Hospital Chelsea and Westminster Hospital London.

Recently she was Grand Marshal on the Dublin Pride float for St Patricks Day Parade 2022. She was also Grand Marshal at Dublin Pride June 2022 , she will be launching her Trans Bootcamp in Dublin in June . She feels the platform she’s achieved is a great opportunity to shine a light on the Trans community.

Sophia Vi is an actress, director and producer working across both film and theatre. Graduating originally as a dancer it was clear that trans-people and the theatre/film industry were not symbiotic, with very little trans-representation. Witnessing the changes over the last 15 years in theatrical shows and programming has been joy for her to see and eventually lead to her coming out as transgender. Sophia Vi is an active member of both Trans+ On Screen and EquityUK and is passionate about the development of new LGBT+ programming and artists.

In August 2021 she attended her first Not A Phase social – it was a screening of Hedwig in central London. She loved everyone she met so much that she just kept attending events and they haven’t been able to get rid of her.

Jason has been volunteering with Not a Phase for some time now, lending his support at our London Socials and events, and taking on the responsibility of representing the Charity leading the parade at London Pride 2023.

Throughout his transition journey, Jason has been dedicated to supporting fellow trans individuals. He’s played a role in facilitating both online and in-person support groups, and has been present at various protests and counter-protests, advocating for trans rights. Additionally, he’s been involved in fundraising efforts to assist trans youth. Jason is also a presenter on Trans Radio UK and proudly participates in TRUK United FC, a ground-breaking trans football team.

Behind the scenes, Jason has been working within the trans healthcare sector at the NHS for over 18 months, accumulating valuable knowledge and experience in supporting others. Recently, he’s taken on a new role as a peer support worker, offering guidance to those beginning their transition journeys.

Starting his own transition in 2018 during his early 30s, Jason understands the challenges and triumphs of transitioning as an adult. He’s been committed to visibility, recognizing the importance of representation, especially considering the lack thereof when he was younger.

From a young age, Jason knew his true identity but lacked examples and support from adults. He’s passionate about ensuring that parents and caregivers of young trans individuals understand that being trans doesn’t hinder one’s ability to lead a fulfilling life.

Ki Griffin is a multidisciplinary creative practitioner from London. Best known for his roles in Hollyoaks and Fitting In starring Maddie Ziegler, he works across TV, Film and Theatre as an actor and consultant on an international scale. Ki is also an accomplished DJ, playing at events across the UK including UK Black Pride, Southbank Centre and many more.

Ki identifies as a Black trans-masculine non-binary, queer person with an intersex variation, using he/him and they/ them pronouns.

Ben Pechey is a non-binary writer, presenter, content creator, TEDx Speaker LGBTQIA advocate, diversity & inclusion consultant and author. They have written and produced content for The Guardian, Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health, Refinery 29 and Diva Magazine. They have worked with major brands such as Manolo Blahnik, Condé Nast, Dr Martens, The NSPCC, Virgin Atlantic and many more to educate and improve awareness of the LGBTQIA+ community. They are the author of ‘The Book of Non-Binary Joy’ – picked as Top Self Help Book by Forbes – and  ‘Your Gender Book’. They are also an ambassador for Diversity Role Models. Ben is a TEDx speaker, their talk focused on ensuring trans and non-binary people can find joy every day. They were also featured in Diva Magazine’s & The Guardian’s 2024 Power List – Top 100 visionaries blazing a trail for LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary people.

Rhi is a Sex and Relationship Therapist as well as a Supervisor to other therapists. They spend half of their week in Private Practice in South Wales across Pontypridd and Cardiff, as well as online. They spend the other half of their week working as a Psychosexual Therapist for Transplus in 56 Dean St.

Rhi has facilitated workshops in Transplus to help service users access the sex they want to have through inviting them to consider what pleasure means, to understand desire and arousal and how it intersects with gender dysphoria as well as relationships that might be changing as they transition. They have also provided talks for Trans Aid Cymru with similar themes, as well as Cardiff’s first ever Trans Pride back in 2019.

In private practice Rhi works with all gender identities, provides Trans Awareness Training to therapists and is a member of the Contemporary Institute of Clinical Sexology’s focus group for practitioners working with sexual themes with trans and nonbinary clients.

You’ll notice one of Rhi’s pronouns – ‘Nhw’ is Welsh for ‘They/Them’. Rhi is first generation Welsh and being Welsh is a proud intersection of their identity. Back in 2019 they got to be interviewed on the Welsh speaking podcast ‘Siarad Secs’ which was about breaking down the taboos around sex in the Welsh speaking community,

Rhi found out about the word ‘nonbinary’ back in 2016 which was a pivotal moment for them, and being able to transition has made a world of difference to their quality of life and the way they can now authentically connect with people.

Shae (they/them) is a qualified Sex and Relationship Therapist with their own private practice and a passion for helping people foster more fulfilling relationships with themselves and others, as individuals and in community. They have experience of working and volunteering in various organisations and settings, including 56 Dean Street & TransPlus, Therapists Against Conversion Therapy and Transphobia (TACTT), and is also currently serving on the Trans Advisory Panel at Not A Phase.

Shae brings a unique perspective to their work, informed by their multiple identities as a Queer, Trans & Genderqueer person, who is also disabled, polyamorous, neurodivergent, and part of the kink community. Shae is also an immigrant and an activist, having run national campaigns in the UK focussed on identity and migration.

Their previous experience as a programme organiser for queer, sex and kink affirming events and festivals and in activist groups provides valuable grounding in facilitating difficult conversations, navigating boundaries, and supporting individuals, groups and communities in exploring pleasure and relationships, helping people understand and undo heteronormative scripts.

Motivated by their own journey of self-discovery and the transformative power sex therapy can provide, Shae is committed to creating a safer and inclusive space for people of all backgrounds and experiences to learn and “queer” their ideas of gender, sexuality, sex and intimacy, neurodivergence, kink and alternative relationship styles.

Shae believes that the power of groups and community are of the utmost importance for helping people cope with the everyday attack on marginalised identities, especially Trans folks, and finding the queer joy and support we all deserve.