uthor, screenwriter and Nottingham icon Paris Lees is known for making an entrance. In her first-time memoir – she recounts her challenging life experiences (strained relationships, being admitted to a young offenders institution, transitioning as a teen). Compelling and heartfelt, magazine, she thinks back to her tumultuous coming-of-age years, noting she found respite in places she didn’t always expect: “I used to read when I was in prison and it genuinely meant so much to me – I had a space”. Here, she would find solace in regularly reading copies of , a crossover that would mark the beginning of her LGBTQIA+ history-making achievements. The first trans columnist at and the first trans woman to present shows on BBC Radio 1 and Channel 4, she’s become a modern-day role model. Leading her life with integrity and candour, she’s remained upfront about the challenges she has faced. Within this, however, her determination to succeed has blazed a trail that can inspire others.
