Jake and Hannah Graf

Best known for their Channel 4 documentary Our Baby: A Modern Miracle, Jake and Hannah Graf were named as the ‘Most Influential LGBTQ Couple’ by the Independent.

They met in December 2015, and knew from their first date that they had a future together. Balancing Hannah’s military postings with Jake’s London based film career, the pair have learnt to deeply value their time together, their relationship growing stronger as a result.

They were engaged in New York in September 2017, Jake proposing on Central Park Lake. A small, intimate wedding took place in London in March 2018, the couple surrounded by family and friends.

The pair now live together in South London and are virtually inseparable: both patrons of the Mermaids charity, Hannah frequently working on Jake’s films and media requests for them as a couple now commonplace. They have become something of an inspiration to the international trans community, seizing every opportunity to increase acceptance and understanding of the transgender experience.

In April 2020 in the height of UK lockdown, Jake and Hannah welcomed first child Millie into the world, and couldn’t be happier. They have become role models to many within the trans and LGB communities, instilling hope that the dream of family life is open to all.

As a transgender man, Jake Graf is a London based actor, writer and director whose first nine award-winning films have screened at over 100 festivals worldwide. All are used as educational tools in universities, schools, prisons and media events internationally.

Hannah Graf is a former Captain in the British Army, who retired from service in 2019. She commissioned in 2010 and since that time commanded soldiers across the world including in Germany, Canada, Kenya and Afghanistan. She was awarded an MBE in the 2019 New Years Honours List, receiving the award from HRH The Duke of Cambridge for her work updating LGBTQ policy in the British Army.

Hannah is also a transgender woman and her personal story of transition captured the imagination of the nation in 2015. Her work in diversity has won her several accolades including Cosmopolitan Woman of the Year and an honorary fellowship from Cardiff University

Jake and Hannah Graf are inspiring, compelling and engaging keynote speakers on gender, equality and diversity, with consistently superb feedback. They work tirelessly to represent the wider transgender community both in the UK and internationally, seizing every opportunity to increase acceptance and understanding.

Either together or individually, Jake and Hannah share their personal accounts and a unique perspective, demonstrating the importance of supporting trans and LGBTQ colleagues within the workplace and wider community.

Sharing useful takeaways and tips with key messaging, they are inspiring, compelling and engaging speakers who have presented keynote speeches, fireside chats and Q&A sessions on a wide variety of themes.

Both are open, honest and frank when sharing their own personal stories of life pre and post transition, providing a springboard for all manner of follow up messages and themes and engaging the audience early on. These personal accounts cover a broad range of themes including gender equality, addiction and alcoholism, mental health and relationships.

They have the unique perspective of having experienced the world across the gender spectrum and speak with wit and warmth about the trials and tribulations of growing up transgender and finding their place in the world. With their broad experiences they are able to tailor their talks to any message or theme required, with something for everyone in each of their speeches.

Hannah’s experience as a decorated Officer who transitioned within the Army perfectly places her to speak with confidence on:
All aspects of the military
Diversity
Inclusive Leadership

Jake's background in film, acting and writing means he is equally assured when speaking on all manner of topics including:
The importance of positive representation
LGBTQ relationships and inclusion

His difficult past pre transition and overcoming his struggles with addiction and destructive behaviour patterns are particularly pertinent when demonstrating the importance of supporting trans and LGBQ colleagues within the workplace.

The Grafs have spoken at events for companies including: Warner Brothers, Herbert Smith Freehills, Stonewall Workplace Conference, Army LGBT Conference, NBC Universal, InterComms, InterMedia, InterBank, InterLaw, Pride in London Gala, BNP Paribas, Barclay's , Lloyds, Citi Bank, Allen and Overy, HSBC, BP, PWC, P&G and TTG.

At a time when there is still very little understanding of what it means to be transgender, the trans suicide rate is at an alarming 42%, and when 84% of Americans have never met a trans person, Jake and Hannah aim to dispel the myths and mysteries surrounding trans people, promoting much needed acceptance and understanding.