Trans awareness session for Lancaster University students
The Library & Learning Development in partnership with the LGBTQ+ Forum invite you to a trans awareness seminar with Christian Owens, a transgender speaker, founder of GenderSpace, retired Detective Sergeant and National Diversity Awards'Lifetime Achiever' 2020 finalist
Abstract & biography
Christian is a motivational transgender speaker who uses his own personal journey of discovery to enlighten and inspire individuals and organisations, including law enforcement agencies and educational establishments.
Christian spent his early years in Runcorn, Cheshire, in a practising Catholic family, attending both Catholic primary and secondary schools. Before starting his public speaking business, GenderSpace, Christian has enjoyed a successful 27-year career in the police service and was the first serving officer to transition in Merseyside Police. He has recently retired from his role as a Detective Sergeant but continues to work with Merseyside Police in his business capacity as ‘GenderSpace’, delivering trans awareness and education to staff and officers force wide.
Christian has made significant changes to become the true and authentic person that he is today. He provides an insight into the courage needed when facing the blockages, lack of understanding, discrimination, and bias and how this has empowered him to be the positive role model that he is today, making significant and life changing decisions along the way.
Christian’s own personal, lived experiences as a gay trans male help audiences to understand, empathise and gain a greater understanding of the journey of transition.
Keynote Themes
- Safe space to discuss terminology – an overview of the ever-changing language to provide you with knowledge and awareness of how to address and talk comfortably on the topic of gender identity
- Sexuality versus Gender – Male, female, non-binary and understanding of the differences between identity and sexuality
- Correct use of pronouns – Why these are important, the impact if mistakes are made and how this can be avoided
- Trans awareness & acceptance – Christian provides an awareness of the everyday difficulties faced by a transgender person and what you can do to support someone on their own personal journey of transition
- Q & A – an opportunity for you to explore and really consolidate your learning
Seminar details
Thursday November 24th 4.30 - 6 p.m.
Library Events & Exhibition Space (A floor - behind the Living Wall)
This seminar is open to students at Lancaster University.
This seminar was previously delivered in September 2020. Feedback from the session included:
This was one of the best training sessions I have attended! Very eye-opening, educational and informative. The speakers honesty and willingness to share a very personal story was an amazing aspect of the seminar
Such an amazing presentation. Eye opening to me at the resilience he had to keep going through his transition process. I am more aware of personal pronouns and would have no issue if I observed someone not respecting the pronouns of a colleague and challenge that person
For questions in advance of the seminar, please contact
Lesley English email: l.h.english@lancaster.ac.uk
– ‘Nothing is out of bounds’