What is your professional background?
I have worn many professional hats, I owned my own modelling agency – Tallon Agency and worked as a professional hair and makeup artist before working in the trans inclusion space. I now work with multiple companies as a consultant, with the NHS, HSE in Ireland, and with Chelsea Westminster as Peer Support worker. Most recently I am the founder of Project Bootcamp both in London and Dublin

You are the CEO and Founder of Project Bootcamp for Trans Femmes. What is Project Bootcamp’s mission?
Our mission is to support and celebrate trans femme people with education, employment, social opportunities and life skills.

Over the last few years we have seen a greater visibility, and arguably, acceptance of trans people. What more needs to be done?
We need government backing, particularly in the trans healthcare space. Ireland, in particular, has a really poor reputation of protecting and supporting trans people, waiting lists are abysmal, doctors don’t feel like they have the right information and trans employment rates are low globally. We need to ensure trans people have access to education and employment.

What advice would you give anyone considering their gender and/ or sexuality?
I think that identity is a very personal and individual experience; there is no one size fits all. I recommend that people explore their identity and have patience with themselves. That is something we encourage in Bootcamp.

How did your friends, family and colleagues react to your transitioning?
Let’s put it this way – it was a wow factor that came in several different shapes and sizes.

How important do you think it is to be out as a trans woman or man in the workplace?
Visibility is crucial. It is probably the most difficult but most important role I have – to be visible. Our views matter, our input matters. We matter.

What challenges do trans people face which other members of the LGBTQ+ community may not face?
I think it can be easier for other members of the community to “pass” both in society and at work. For trans people we have to continuously come out. At work, in taxis, at restaurants. We are more visible targets of abuse. Trans people have high rates of school and work drop-out and that’s something I’m working so hard to change.

Describe a typical day in the life of Rebecca Antoinette de Havilland.
I wake up early, walk my two gorgeous doggies and get set for the day. I often appear on panels discussing D&I, followed by Zoom calls, events where I give keynote speeches and 1:1 consultancy. Depending on the day of the week, I could be hosting one of my Bootcamps in either London or Dublin.

On either a professional or a personal level what has been your proudest achievement?
Just this summer I received news that I was selected as the first trans TV presenter in Ireland, I am super proud of this!

Where would you hope trans people will be in five years’ time?
I hope they can live authentically, be loved and respected by their friends and family and thrive in their chosen professions.

Describe Rebecca Antoinette de Havilland in three words
Resilient, hopeful and fabulous! (I asked my bestie!)