Paris Lees is a British author, broadcaster, journalist, and transgender campaigner. She is the first openly transgender columnist for British Vogue and the first transgender presenter on BBC Radio 1 and Channel 4. Her debut book and BAFTA-nominated TV drama What It Feels Like for a Girl chronicle her teenage years in Nottingham.
Lees has been described as “the voice of a generation” by i-D magazine. Her work spans journalism, broadcasting, activism, and publishing. She co-founded the campaign All About Trans and created the first British trans magazine, META.
Despite her public profile, she keeps many personal details private. This article presents verified facts from official sources and acknowledges areas where information remains unclear.
Who Is Paris Lees?
First transgender columnist at Vogue; BAFTA-nominated TV drama and book What It Feels Like for a Girl
Approx. 1990 (exact date not publicly confirmed; age early 30s)
Nottingham, England
First trans woman on BBC Radio 1 and Channel 4; British Vogue columnist; i-D “voice of a generation”
- Paris Lees is a trailblazer for transgender visibility in mainstream UK media, achieving multiple “firsts” in broadcasting and fashion publishing.
- Her debut book and TV drama What It Feels Like for a Girl is a semi-autobiographical account of her teenage years in Nottingham.
- While she is open about her transgender identity, she has kept many personal details (e.g., birth name, exact age, partner) private – leading to frequent search queries for clarification.
- The gap between her public persona (activist, writer) and private life (family, relationships) is a major content opportunity.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Paris Lees (birth name not publicly confirmed – often searched) |
| Date of Birth | Estimated 1990 (age ~34–35 as of 2025) – exact date not disclosed |
| Place of Birth | Nottingham, England |
| Occupation | Journalist, author, broadcaster, activist |
| Notable Work | What It Feels Like for a Girl (book, 2021; TV drama, 2025, BAFTA-nominated) |
| Firsts | First trans columnist at British Vogue; first trans woman to present on BBC Radio 1 and Channel 4 |
| Partner/Marital Status | Not publicly confirmed – queries for “husband” or “partner” are common |
| Parents | Father and mother mentioned in interviews; details limited |
Paris Lees’ Biography: Age, Birth Name, and Early Life
How old is Paris Lees?
Her exact date of birth has not been made public. Context from her book and career milestones suggest she was born around 1990. She graduated from the University of Brighton in 2009, placing her birth year in the late 1980s or early 1990s.
What was Paris Lees’ birth name?
She has not publicly shared her birth name. Any online claims about it are speculative and unverified. She uses the name Paris Lees professionally and personally.
What was Paris Lees like as a child?
Lees grew up in a working-class area in Nottinghamshire. She faced violent bullying for being different and experienced years of discrimination. After moving to Brighton to live as a woman, she suffered severe mental health problems and suicidal thoughts. She earned a first-class degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Brighton and later received an honorary doctorate from the same institution.
Lees has described a troubled upbringing marked by transphobic bullying. Her memoir and drama series address these experiences directly, offering a first-hand account of growing up poor and trans in the English countryside.
Paris Lees’ Personal Life: Partner, Parents, and Family
Is Paris Lees married? Who is her partner?
She has not publicly confirmed a marriage or long-term relationship. In acceptance posts for the Attitude Magazine Award for Best Television Series, Lees thanked Ellis Francis Howard as her “gorgeous” partner. The exact nature of that relationship is private, and no official source confirms a spouse.
Who are Paris Lees’ parents?
Her father and mother are mentioned occasionally in interviews, but their names, occupations, and full background have not been disclosed. Her family life is covered in her book from her perspective, not her parents’. Public curiosity about her parents remains high, but verified details are scarce.
Lees is known for advocating for LGBTQ+ inclusion. She has spoken about the importance of chosen family and community support.
Paris Lees’ Career: Book, Drama, and Broadcasting Achievements
What is the book What It Feels Like for a Girl about?
Published by Penguin Books in 2021, the memoir covers Lees’ life from age 13 to 18. It focuses on growing up poor and trans in the countryside. The story explores identity, friendship, and first love.
Was it made into a TV drama?
Yes. The BBC commissioned an eight-part drama series for BBC Three and iPlayer, adapted by Lees herself. It aired in 2025. Lees served as executive director and executive producer. The series received a standing ovation at its premiere and won the Attitude Magazine Award for Best Television Series in 2025. In 2026 it was nominated for five BAFTAs, including Best Limited Series and Best Writer: Drama.
The TV adaptation earned a BAFTA nomination for Best Writer: Drama. Lees’ earlier awards include the 2012 National Diversity Awards Positive Role Model Award for LGBTQ+ and being named the most influential LGBTQ+ person in Britain by the Independent on Sunday in 2013.
How did Paris Lees start her career?
After graduating, she began writing for titles such as the Guardian, Telegraph, Sun, Attitude, i-D, Dazed, and Cosmopolitan. She created the first British trans magazine, META, and served as assistant editor of Gay Times. Her documentary The Hate Debate was BBC Radio 4’s Pick of the Week and earned a BBC Radio Awards nomination.
Lees was also named a Pantene Ambassador in 2019 and a Vogue Ambassador.
Paris Lees’ Impact as a Transgender Activist and Media Pioneer
What has Paris Lees achieved as a transgender activist?
She co-founded All About Trans, a project that connects media professionals with young trans people to improve coverage and combat ignorance. She was the first openly transgender woman to appear on BBC’s Question Time, appearing twice. Her work in fashion, broadcasting, and publishing has opened doors for trans representation in traditionally exclusive outlets.
What does Paris Lees look like before and after transition?
Lees has not released official side-by-side photographs comparing her appearance before and after transition. Any images circulating online are not from verified sources. Discussions of her transition should rely on her own written accounts, which describe the emotional and social journey rather than physical changes.
What Are the Key Events in Paris Lees’ Life and Career?
- c. 1990 – Born in Nottingham, England (exact date not public).
- 2000s – Grows up in Nottingham; struggles with gender identity (detailed in her book).
- 2013 – Begins writing for the Guardian and other outlets; first major media exposure.
- 2016 – Becomes first openly trans woman to present on BBC Radio 1.
- 2017 – Named one of the UK’s most influential LGBT+ people by the Independent.
- 2018 – Featured in Vogue; later becomes first trans columnist at British Vogue.
- 2021 – Publishes book What It Feels Like for a Girl with Penguin.
- 2025 – TV adaptation airs on BBC Three; wins Attitude Magazine Award.
- 2026 – Drama receives five BAFTA nominations.
What Is Known and What Remains Uncertain About Paris Lees?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Paris Lees is a transgender woman, journalist, and author. | Exact date of birth: not publicly confirmed; only approximate age can be inferred (early-to-mid 30s in 2025). |
| She was the first trans woman to present on BBC Radio 1 and Channel 4. | Birth name: not officially revealed; searches lead to speculation or unverified claims. |
| She wrote the book What It Feels Like for a Girl which was adapted into a BAFTA-nominated TV drama. | Partner/spouse: no public confirmation of marriage or relationship status; queries for “husband” remain unanswered by official sources. |
| She is from Nottingham, England. | Parents’ identities and full family background: limited public information. |
| “Before and after” images: no official side-by-side photos; any transformation discussion should rely on her own words and avoid speculation. |
Why Is Paris Lees Important in UK Media?
Paris Lees represents a new wave of trans visibility in mainstream UK media. She broke through in outlets often seen as exclusive – Vogue, BBC, Channel 4. Her semi-autobiographical work offers a raw perspective on growing up trans in Nottingham, contributing to broader cultural understanding.
The public’s persistent curiosity about her personal details – age, birth name, partner – highlights both the normal human interest in private lives and the extra scrutiny faced by trans public figures. Her choice to keep certain information private is a deliberate boundary, and respectful coverage acknowledges what is publicly available without intruding.
Where Can I Find Reliable Information About Paris Lees?
Verified information comes from her official agency profile, publisher, and social media accounts. The following quotes and sources are representative:
“I wrote WHAT IT FEELS LIKE FOR A GIRL, the BAFTA-nominated tv show and cute book.”
Instagram bio (@paris.lees), accessed 2025
“Lees is the first transgender columnist at Vogue and was the first transgender woman to present shows on BBC Radio 1 and Channel 4.”
Wikipedia, citing Vogue and BBC
“She has been described as ‘the voice of a generation’ by i-D magazine.”
United Agents profile
Key external sources include:
- Wikipedia overview
- United Agents official profile
- Instagram (@paris.lees)
- In-depth interview from LeftLion
- Penguin Books page for the memoir
What Is the Lasting Impact of Paris Lees?
Paris Lees has reshaped the landscape of trans representation in British media. From her firsts at Vogue and the BBC to her BAFTA-nominated drama, she has used her platform to tell honest stories about growing up trans. While she keeps her private life guarded, her public work continues to inspire and inform.
Frequently Asked Questions About Paris Lees
Does Paris Lees have a husband?
Paris Lees has not publicly confirmed a husband or marriage. Queries for “husband” or “partner” remain unanswered in official sources. She keeps her relationship status private.
What is Paris Lees’ birth name?
Paris Lees has not publicly shared her birth name. Many online sources speculate, but no verified information exists. She uses the name Paris Lees both personally and professionally.
How old is Paris Lees?
Her exact date of birth has not been made public. Based on career milestones and context from her book, she is estimated to be in her early-to-mid 30s as of 2025.
Was Paris Lees born male?
Paris Lees is a transgender woman. She has been open about her transition in her writing and interviews. Her book and TV drama address her experiences growing up as a trans girl.
What is the book “What It Feels Like for a Girl” about?
It is a semi-autobiographical novel about a teenage trans girl growing up in Nottingham, exploring identity, friendship, and first love. It was adapted into a BAFTA-nominated TV drama.
Is Paris Lees on Instagram?
Yes, her verified Instagram account is @paris.lees, where she shares updates about her work and personal life.
Oliver Arthur Morgan Harrison is a staff writer for StoryShift.uk, covering UK news, culture, politics and technology. He works under Editor-in-Chief Maarika Tamm and UK Managing Editor Oliver Grant, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.