AMDP Inspire Series: Challenging Assumptions – Transgender Lives

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Time: 6.00pm - 7.30pm
Venue: Clattern Lecture Theatre, Penrhyn Road campus, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT1 2EE
Price: free
Speaker(s): Laith Ashley and Natalie Roberts

Do you know anything about transgender people? Would you date a transgender person? Have you ever wanted to ask a transgender person some tricky questions but never had the opportunity or confidence to do it?

We are bringing two amazing speakers in - the charismatic and insightful Natalie Roberts, and, all the way from New York, Laith Ashley, a successful American model who has taken Instagram by storm and is now starring in his own TV show. They will talk about their life stories and answer those questions you always wanted to ask... but didn't dare.

Transgender people are gaining visibility in the media and within the LGBT+ community. However, their life stories and experiences are still unknown and often misunderstood. This event will include the host asking "questions you always wanted to ask a transgender...but thought you shouldn't" and a Question and Answer session from the public.

Laith Ashley de la Cruz is a transgender man who lives in New York. In 2015 he took Instagram by storm. His modelling career is really taking off but he stays grounded and humble. His story is a great inspiration not only for transgender, but also for cisgender, people.

Natalie Roberts is a transgender woman who by day works at a college in the north of the country, but the rest of the time is a passionate speaker spreading awareness of transgender issues. The story of her transformation from a ‘lad's lad' who tried to deny their gender identity to finally accepting and transitioning to become who she is today is informative, inspiring, humorous and engaging.

About AMDP Inspire Series

As part of its Academic, Multicultural and Diversity Programme (AMDP), Kingston University is holding a series of free inspirational talks open to the public.

Please book quickly as places are limited. These speakers are high profile and this is a fantastic chance to hear, first hand, about their experiences.

This initiative for Kingston University students aims to build:

• strong awareness of how culture and experiences shape perceptions of self and others;
• world views; and
• structured thinking skills as an introduction to critical thinking, around the issues of diversity.

As research shows these are all skills which are extremely valued by employers – especially in a global city like London.

For further information about this event:

Contact: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Unit
Enquiries: contact us online