Sophie Cook
Former Labour Party Parliamentary Candidate, RAF veteran, writer, speaker, broadcaster, photographer, self harm and suicide survivor… and transgender.
Dr Sophie Cook FRSA became the first transgender woman to work in football’s Premier League as club photographer for AFC Bournemouth following her transition from Steve to Sophie in the summer of 2015.
Europe’s first trans TV newscaster, Sophie has hosted her own TV and radio chat shows and is an experienced broadcaster.
In the 2017 General Election she contested the East Worthing & Shoreham seat, increasing the Labour vote by 114% and narrowly missing out on becoming the UK’s first trans MP.
Recently announced as the 13th Most Influential Person in Brighton according to the Brighton Power 100, Cook is also named in the Top 10 Outstanding Contribution to LGBT+ Life in the 2020 British LGBT Awards.
What does your identity mean to you?
It means the difference between life and death
I struggled with self harm and suicide my whole life before I was able to transition. Being true to myself was the first step on my road to self acceptance, recovery and happiness.
