Gender in Focus

Trans Day of Visibility is often framed as a celebration, but for many trans and non-binary people visibility is not always straightforward. Being open about identity can involve ongoing decisions about safety, relationships and what feels possible in a given moment. In this episode, we sit with that complexity. We talk about why being visible is not necessarily the goal, how assumptions about com...

“Won’t all-gender bathrooms be gross?” When organizations introduce all-gender, multi-stall wash rooms, hygiene is often among the top concern s people raise. Will wash rooms shared among genders be less clean? Are these types of multi-stall washrooms more likely to get messy? And is there any real evidence that cleanliness or sanitation standards actually decline? In this episode, we unpack the f...

How do you share your pronouns as an ally without making it awkward, political, or performative? Many allies want to normalize sharing pronouns. But in real life, it can feel uncomfortable. You might worry about being judged. You might wonder if it is necessary. You might even be asking yourself, should I share my pronouns at work or in social settings? In this episode, we explore how to share you...

Ten years ago, TransFocus didn’t exist — and conversations about gender identity in the workplace and trans inclusion were very different. What began as a volunteer effort advising on gender inclusion in public spaces has grown into a decade of consulting, education, and strategy focused on trans inclusion, non-binary inclusion, and workplace gender diversity. In this special 10-year anniversary e...

When organizations start working on workplace inclusion, diversity and inclusion in the workplace, or broader DEI strategy, there’s often pressure to act quickly. Add a new category to a form, update a policy, maybe change a washroom sign or run a training session. Those steps can feel tangible and productive. But real inclusion, especially when it comes to gender identity, trans inclusion in the...

Are Your Systems Outing Trans People? Most organizations don’t intend to out trans or non-binary people - but everyday information systems often do, accidentally and repeatedly. In this episode of Gender in Focus, we explore how routine systems and processes can disclose someone’s gender history without consent, resulting in accidental outing, often in public or high-stress settings like waiting r...

When trans people come out or begin living more openly, they’re often met with a well-meaning response: Wouldn’t it be easier to just fit in? This episode explores why that question comes up so often - and what it misses about coming out as trans or non-binary, gender identity, and the cost of suppressing who you are. That question can sound like concern for safety or ease. But it often overlooks...

Trans athletes have become a lightning rod in public debate about sport. Headlines warn of “unfair advantages.” Politicians speak in urgent, alarming tones. Entire policies are being built on the idea that trans people pose a threat to sports, especially when it comes to women’s and youth sports. But what if that story isn’t true? In this episode, we’re joined by Ellie Roscher and Dr. Anna Baeth,...

What does real, lasting inclusion actually look like inside an organization? In this episode of Gender in Focus, Kai sits down with Keely Kidner, Equity & Inclusion Advisor at the District of Squamish, for a rich, grounded conversation about what it really takes to move beyond good intentions and into meaningful, systemic change at work. This is a practical, human guide for anyone responsible...

Many organizations think of all-gender washrooms as something they do for trans and non-binary people. But in reality... these spaces make life easier for almost everyone. Parents helping kids. Caregivers assisting disabled family members. People with mobility needs, or those who just want more privacy. When done right, all-gender washrooms don’t just include trans people - they include everyone....

We’ve all had moments where curiosity gets the better of us, but when it comes to asking personal questions about gender identity, the line between interest and intrusion can blur fast. In this episode of Gender in Focus, Kai and El unpack why curiosity isn’t neutral, especially in the workplace. From “What’s your real name?” to “Have you had 'the' surgery?”, they explore why these questions come...

You might think 2025 was hopeless, but the numbers tell a different story. In this episode of Gender in Focus, Kai and El reflect on a year marked by political pushback, anti-trans legislation and widespread misinformation, but also by hope, resilience and meaningful allyship. They share practical ways allies can keep showing up for trans and non-binary people, even when progress feels uncertain....

Everyone starts somewhere, and when it comes to supporting trans and non-binary people, that first step can feel a little uncertain. In this episode of Gender in Focus, Kai and El talk about what it means to be an aspiring ally - someone who wants to show up, even when they’re still learning. They explore the fears many people have about saying the wrong thing, how to move through mistakes with gr...

Inclusion sounds simple - until you’re running a women’s program and someone asks, “are trans people welcome too?” Many organizations want to do the right thing but get stuck when it comes to trans and non-binary inclusion in single-gender spaces. It’s easy to say “everyone’s welcome,” but true inclusion takes a little bit of planning. In this episode of Gender in Focus, Kai and El talk about what...

From “it’s just a fad” to “you can tell who’s trans just by looking,” misconceptions about trans and non-binary people remain widespread - and often confidently repeated. In this episode of Gender in Focus, Kai and El unpack some of the most common myths about trans and non-binary identities, exploring where these ideas come from and why they persist. We explore how gender diversity has always exi...

Efforts toward gender equity at work often run on parallel tracks... one focused on women, the other on trans and non-binary inclusion. But what happens when those tracks finally meet? In this episode of Gender in Focus, Kai is joined by Erin Davis, award-winning inclusion strategist, to explore how bridging these movements can unlock real, lasting inclusion for everyone. Together, we unpack why s...

There’s no easy way to talk about Transgender Day of Remembrance. It’s a day that carries so much grief, and also a call to look closer at the systems that keep failing trans people around the world. In this episode of Gender in Focus , Kai and El unpack the history and meaning of TDOR, explore why it’s not just a U.S. issue, and reveal the gaps in data that hide the true scale of violence against...

“Preferred pronouns” might sound polite - but that one little word can change everything. In this episode of Gender in Focus, we unpack why saying “preferred pronouns” can unintentionally suggest that gender identity is a choice, and how dropping the word “preferred” makes your language more inclusive and respectful. Kai and El break down what to say instead, how to use pronouns respectfully, and...

Many people say inclusion is being “forced” on them - but is it really? In this episode of Gender in Focus, we unpack the difference between 'feeling' forced to change and 'actually' being forced, and why that distinction matters for building lasting, meaningful progress in workplaces and beyond. We explore what makes change feel like an invitation rather than an imposition, and how leaders can mo...

What does it really mean for a workplace to offer gender-affirming healthcare? Many organizations believe their extended health benefits already cover trans and non-binary employees, but the details often tell a different story. In this episode, we explore how gender-affirming care is often treated as an optional add-on rather than a core part of health coverage - and why that matters. From laser...

Halloween costumes can be a fun way to show creativity at work - but when those costumes play with gender, things can get complicated. In this episode, we explore what happens when someone dresses up as another gender in the workplace, and why it can be both affirming and harmful depending on the intent and impact. We unpack the difference between dressing up as a specific person with respect vers...

Salutations like Mr., Mrs. and Miss. might seem harmless, but they reveal a lot about gender, identity, and tradition. In this episode, Kai and El unpack how these everyday titles shape our sense of belonging at work and beyond. They explore how gendered titles can both affirm and exclude, especially for trans and non-binary people, along with cisgender women, and why something as simple as a titl...

What happens when a trans or non-binary employee comes out at work and their manager suddenly becomes the person everyone looks to for guidance? It’s a moment that can bring care, confusion, and pressure all at once. Many managers want to be supportive but don’t know where to start, and without a clear plan, that uncertainty can turn into silence or missteps. In this episode, we explore what real...

How does trans inclusion in the workplace take root? It starts with culture. Everyday actions - by managers and frontline staff - shape trans and non-binary employees’ experiences and set the tone for inclusion. From using gender-inclusive language and addressing micro-aggressions to fostering respectful team dynamics and proactively supporting colleagues, this episode of Gender in Focus shares cl...

Change doesn’t just come from the top. So often, it begins with the people on the ground, the ones who see the cracks in systems, who notice when something isn’t working, and who care enough to say, "this could be better." In this episode of Gender in Focus, El and Kai share why you don’t need a leadership title to make a difference. They talk about how frontline staff can raise concerns without n...