IT’S time for transgender people to come out of the shadows, urges former Bohunt School pupil Sophie Cook on a national recognition day.

International Transgender Day of Visibility on Friday, March 31, is a chance for trans people to put on their “best face, most amazing outfit and strut, proud as hell down the high street.”

The ex-RAF engineer, football and rock photographer, and pioneering transgender newscaster, knows from painful past, and very recent, experience how damaging it can be to hide and pretend.

Former Bohunt School pupil Sophie was Steve up until only two years ago, after suffering for decades with depression, self-harm and suicidal thoughts.

And although she has never been happier after going through the transgender process, her visibility has drawn online trolling and abuse.

After being featured on BBC’s The Premier League Show, the trolling escalated to such an extent she received death threats via Twitter.

Motivational speaker Sophie feels strongly then that the fight for freedom from bigotry is far from over, and it won’t be until every trans person can walk down the street, use the toilet of their choosing and express their identity free of fear.

“Gender dysphoria can be a terrible thing that takes a huge emotional, mental and social toll on people, so those of us who have reached the stage of feeling comfortable with ourselves and our condition owe it to those who are still struggling to show that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

“We go through hell to finally be our authentic selves and we should be proud of the fact that, even if we haven’t quite won the battle yet, we’re on the road to liberation.

“I’m here, I’m trans and I love who I am, and no-one’s petty minded bigotry is going to take that away from me.”

The International Transgender Day of Visibility is a global event promoting awareness and celebrating achievements.