Driven trans role model to discuss her inspiring life story

30 January 2020

LGBTQ+ advocate Charlie Martin to speak at UCLan on 3 February

A transgender motorsports star is visiting Preston to talk about her incredible and inspiring life story.

LGBTQ+ advocate Charlie Martin will be speaking at a free event at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) on 3 February.

The trans role model and Stonewall Champion has fought continuously to overcome adversity throughout her life, having lost both her parents at a young age. Entering motorsport without anyone supporting is hard enough, but she also realised she identified as transgender from age seven. She transitioned to live as a female in 2012. 

"As a pioneering transgender woman in the world of motor racing, her journey both on and off the track has inspired people to be their authentic selves"

As a transgender woman in motorsport, she occupies a unique role within her sport and the LGBTQ+ community, having faced incredible adversity to become her true self. Her tenacity and self-belief have helped her to overcome the impossible and push for change when the odds were stacked against her.

The motivational talk, which forms part of UCLan’s LGBT History Month 2020, is taking place from 12 noon until 3.00pm in the University’s Media innovation Zone, on the fourth floor of the Media Factory. This event has been organised by UCLan’s Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Communities team who supports the University LGBT+ Staff Network.

Dr Sylvy Anscombe, UCLan’s Maths Lecturer and Staff LGBT+ Network Chair, said: “We are so excited to announce that Charlie Martin will be coming to UCLan to share her story with us. As a pioneering transgender woman in the world of motor racing, her journey both on and off the track has inspired people to be their authentic selves. I am delighted to invite everyone to attend -- students, staff, parents, friends and all the community.”

As well as Charlie’s talk, there will be additional speakers, along with a Q&A panel discussion and a number of stakeholder stalls from LGBT Lancashire, NHS, Chrysalis, Young Addaction Lancashire, Students’ Union and Lancashire Police.

A British Sign Language interpreter will be signing the event.

Register for your free tickets on Eventbrite.