Julie Miller

Julie Miller is a proud trans woman, former Army officer, and an outspoken advocate for transgender rights. Like many trans people, Julie has always known her gender identity, but for decades she hid behind a mask of stereotypical masculinity, driven by fear of abuse, ridicule and discrimination. Presenting as male was often a necessary survival tactic in a society that has not always been kind to trans individuals. However, prioritising her mental health, Julie now lives more openly as her authentic self. She expresses her gender in a way that feels right for her, though she still sometimes reverts to presenting as male to navigate the transphobia that persists in everyday life — from securing housing and employment to simply walking down the street safely.

Julie is no stranger to standing her ground. A former Army officer with 25 years of service, including training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and Army Staff College, she has honed a commanding stage presence and razor-sharp oratorical skills. These are now channelled into her flagship presentation, the “Bluffer’s Guide to Transgender” – a light-hearted but deeply educational journey through the history, science, culture and law surrounding transgender lives. Julie’s unique delivery blends academic rigour with theatre: she punctuates her talks with a “Grand Opening Statement,” “Impassioned Speech” and “Emotional Outburst,” leaving audiences both entertained and enlightened. In the face of rising anti-trans rhetoric – epitomised by Donald Trump’s declaration at AmericaFest 2024 to end “transgender lunacy” – Julie’s message is unapologetic: trans people are not lunatics, but responsible, courageous individuals committed to mental wellbeing and social contribution.

Over the past five years, Julie has made a tangible impact in trans advocacy. She served as Dorset Manager for transgender charity Beyond Reflections, where she founded and facilitated the Bournemouth support group. She is a seasoned transgender awareness speaker and consultant, delivering sessions to schools, universities, NHS trusts, prisons, police forces, councils and private companies. Julie has been a transgender governor for Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust, a consultant for Make UK, and a facilitator for a challenging prison-based transgender support group. She also supports the Crown Prosecution Service on hate crime procedures and works with the NHS as a transgender actor/role-player, helping train healthcare professionals by simulating patient scenarios and offering constructive feedback.

Julie’s talks focus on the four pillars that uphold the existence and rights of transgender people in modern democracies: history, science, culture and the law. With charisma, wit, and a fearless sense of truth-telling, she educates even the most sceptical audience members. Julie’s story is not just one of personal resilience but of ongoing resistance in the so-called “culture wars.” She leaves her audiences with one powerful question: in a world where trans people must fight daily for dignity and safety, who really are the lunatics?