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Freddy McConnell, an accomplished journalist, author, and trans-advocacy speaker.
In 2018, he shared his unique journey as a transgender man experiencing pregnancy in the acclaimed BBC documentary “Seahorse: The Dad Who Gave Birth,” which received a BIFFA nomination. In 2023, Freddy’s remarkable contributions to the LGBT+ community earned him a spot among the Top 10 Outstanding Contributors to LGBT+ Life in the British LGBT+ Awards.
Freddy McConnell has become a dedicated advocate for LGBT+ equality, particularly focusing on the rights of transgender individuals and their families. Leveraging his substantial online following, he collaborates with brands to endorse carefully chosen initiatives and products.
His Brand Partners include Audible, Merrell, Dove, Tommee Tippee, Yoto, Close Parent, and the Positive Birth Company.
Furthermore, he offers consultancy services to organizations seeking to enhance LGBTQ+ family inclusivity and assists creative teams in crafting authentic LGBTQ+ narratives. Freddy’s eloquence also extends to speaking engagements for a variety of audiences, including universities, non-profits, law firms, and FTSE 100 companies. His talks cover a wide array of topics, from queer family dynamics and improvised overland travel to accurate trans representation in the media.
Joining The Guardian without formal journalism training, Freddy served as a multimedia news journalist for six years, based in London and Sydney. His diverse portfolio of articles ranged from immigration challenges on the Kent coast to the multifaceted experiences of transgender individuals. He also engaged in projects such as dissecting TV show reviews in the Guardian’s Token podcast and discussing the best Sports Documentaries.
Freddy’s passion for storytelling led him to host “Pride & Joy” on BBC Sounds and contribute a parenting column titled “Dad Bod” for Vice. His involvement with Vice World News included hosting an episode of the groundbreaking documentary series “Transnational,” which received prestigious accolades like the Peabody and GLAAD Media awards in 2021.
Freddy McConnell continues to expand his literary contributions, with an upcoming episode for the second series of “Transnational” and his debut children’s book “Little Seahorse and the Big Question” published by Puffin in 2022.
Freddy’s academic background includes a degree in Arabic, and he has spent extensive periods in Yemen, Syria, and the West Bank. Documenting his travels through written and visual accounts, he traversed vast distances overland. As a student, he embarked on a solitary overland expedition from Delhi to Dover, passing through Tibet and Siberia. He notably chose to reach the Middle East via rail and sea instead of air travel. Freddy even taught skateboarding in Afghanistan before transitioning into a career in journalism in 2013.
Freddy McConnell is a dynamic speaker who covers a range of engaging and thought-provoking topics in his keynotes. His presentations captivate audiences by drawing from his diverse experiences as a journalist, writer, and LGBTQ+ advocate. His speaking topics include;
Freddy McConnell’s keynotes offer a unique blend of personal anecdotes, journalistic insights, and advocacy messages, making them enlightening and impactful for a diverse range of audiences.