Christian Owens

Christian Owens (He/Him)
(Founder of GenderSpaceUK, retired Detective Sergeant, National Diversity Awards ‘Lifetime Achiever’ 2020 Finalist & LCR Pride ‘Business Person of the Year’ 2023)

Christian is a motivational transgender speaker who uses his own personal journey of discovery to enlighten and inspire individuals and organisations across a diverse platform, including law enforcement agencies, educational establishments, NHS, housing providers, charities, and many more.

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, GenderSpaceUK, Christian 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 ‘GenderSpaceUK’, 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 passionate and 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. But most importantly, be educated and equipped to support and create safe, inclusive spaces, where trans and nonbinary people can belong, grow and flourish.

Some of Christian’s keynote themes include:

Trans awareness & acceptance – Christian provides an awareness and a personal insight into the everyday difficulties faced by a transgender person and what you can do to support someone on their own personal journey of transition and interact positively.

Pronouns – Why these are important and the impact if mistakes are made and how this can be avoided.

Sexuality versus gender identity – Male, female, non-binary and understanding the difference between gender identity and sexuality.

Safe space to discuss terminology – An overview of the ever-changing language to provide you with the knowledge and awareness of how to address people and talk comfortably on the topic of gender identity.

The treatment care pathway – A personal insight from the perspective of a transgender person, providing lived experiences and impact of gender identity services.

The journey of transition in the police service – Christian talks openly about his experiences and journey as a serving transgender police officer.

Police culture and the positive changes – How culture has changed and improved and the impact that Christian has made on those changes.

Legal rights in society – An awareness and understanding of the legislation that can be used to protect and treat people respectfully.

Courage change & empowerment – Whether you are the person going through transition, the employer, friend, family member, parent or carer, Christian will provide you with thought-provoking insight and the tools to educate yourself and support others.

Employer support – What you can do to increase the value, progression and wellbeing of employees/staff/students.

The power of inclusion – Christian talks about how inclusivity and acceptance have resulted in him becoming his true authentic self, achieving, succeeding, celebrating his life fully and living his legacy.

Q & A – Consolidation of learning and an opportunity to ask questions and share thoughts – ‘Nothing is out of bounds’.