A transgender woman who moved to Reading within the last year has spoken out concerning all the hate she has received since coming to our town. 

Katie Bocon, 50, said that she has been verbally and physically abused by members of the public on multiple occasions. 

After spending most of her time in the UK in the west country, Ms Bocon moved to Reading at the end of 2023. 

"I had high expectations for diversity and inclusion in the town," she said. "I thought I would have less hassle with people in Reading but that is not the case.

"I have a really good sense of humour and most of it makes me laugh, but there have been instances where people have been really awful and even violent."

Ms Bocon, who is a semi-professional model, said that on one occasion when a group of tourists were taking pictures with her in Forbury Gardens, a man shouted at them across the park and said "Don't take pictures, he has a c*ck."

Ms Bocon said she found the whole situation very unpleasant and felt that she had been publicly shamed in front of everyone. 

She later that day reported the incident to the police, but said that not much action was taken. She has now reported five incidents to the police, all mainly occurring in central Reading. 

The police were asked to comment but said that they do not comment on complaints, as it would be inappropriate to do so.

Ms Bocon said that she also fell victim to a physical assault whilst watching a televised boxing match in a town centre bar. 

"It was a really unfortunate incident," she said. "After the match was over I stood up and turned around to head to the bar.

"I walked past a couple of men, I didn't want to grab any attention or anything. And one of them grabbed me on my shoulder and said "You shouldn't be here you've got a c*ck."

Ms Bocon then told the two men that they were being really out of order and that she was going to go and get security. 

When she turned away to get one of the guards, one of the men who had just verbally abused her punched her in the back of the head. 

Security then intervened and the man was thrown out of the bar. This incident was reported to the police but nothing was done about either of the men.