Rachel Reese is a British transgender activist, solicitor and diversity and inclusion specialist. She began her career as an avionics software engineer at GEC Avionics before moving into human resources and studying law. She qualified as a solicitor in the 1990s and spent around 15 years at the College of Law, eventually becoming Production Director and an operational board director. Reese has spoken publicly about transitioning in the 1990s and experiencing discrimination while seeking legal employment. After initially returning to male expression, she later came out as transgender at the College of Law and transitioned with the organisation’s support. She subsequently obtained a Gender Recognition Certificate and a new birth certificate.
In 2015, Reese founded Global Butterflies, a consultancy specialising in transgender and non-binary inclusion in the workplace. She has advised organisations in the legal, financial and insurance sectors, provided training and developed workplace-transition policies and guidance. With Emma Cusdin, she co-authored A Guide to Trans and Non-binary Inclusion for Lloyd’s of London in 2019. Reese has also held prominent roles within the legal and LGBTQ+ sectors. By 2020 she was Vice-Chair of the Law Society’s LGBT Lawyers Division Committee, a trans and non-binary ambassador for Aspiring Solicitors, a trustee of GiveOut, and a judge for the People in Law Awards. Through GiveOut and Global Butterflies, she supported transgender and non-binary rights in Britain and internationally. A frequent speaker and writer on transgender equality, Reese has advocated reform of the UK Gender Recognition Act, including self-declaration of legal gender and recognition of non-binary identities.
