Gender in Focus

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...

So often, we talk about trans and non-binary lives in terms of struggle, but that’s never been the whole story. In this episode, we turn toward what rarely gets said out loud: the insight, creativity and gifts that come from living in ways the world doesn’t always expect or understand. We talk about authenticity that’s been fought for, empathy that runs deep and the innovation that comes from havi...

What do you do when your values tell you one thing, but the system won’t budge? In this episode, I’m joined by Hélène Frohard-Dourlent, a community organizer with years of experience inside big institutions, navigating the tricky gap between good intentions and outdated infrastructure. We talk about what it’s like when the structures around us - forms, policies, washrooms - don’t reflect the value...

Sometimes helping doesn’t help. In this episode, we’re unpacking saviourism... the kind that sneaks in when we want to do good, but end up taking up space that wasn’t ours to begin with. We explore how it differs from real, respectful allyship and what it looks like to support inclusion without stepping into the spotlight. Saviourism can be hard to spot in ourselves. It often shows up wrapped in g...

Sometimes, conflict shows up at work in ways that catch us off guard. A comment lands wrong, someone raises a concern, and suddenly, you’re the manager everyone turns to for what happens next. If it’s about gender diversity, it can feel especially high-stakes. You want to support your team, but you don’t want to get it wrong. So you pause, hesitate or hope it’ll just blow over. In this episode, we...

There are days when it feels like the tide is turning backwards - when every step forward for gender diversity is met with a wall of resistance, and showing up starts to feel just a bit too much. This week, we’re talking about allyship burnout. The slow, quiet kind of exhaustion that creeps in when you care deeply but feel like nothing is shifting. We share the gentle practices that help us stay i...

It’s easy to say your hiring process is inclusive - but what do your job ads, interview questions and onboarding forms quietly communicate? In this episode, we’re peeling back the layers of recruitment to see what really makes a difference for trans and non-binary candidates. We talk about the subtle ways bias creeps in, how to build trust from the first click and why language - on your website, i...

For trans and non-binary people, choosing a name can be one of the first steps in recognising who we are - and asking the world to do the same. In this episode, we explore the deep meaning that names can hold. You’ll hear personal stories about the search for a name that feels like home, and the joy and affirmation that come when it finally fits. We also talk about what it feels like when the wron...

So much of the language we use at work flies under the radar, but that doesn’t mean it’s harmless. In this episode, El and Kai talk about how gender shows up in written communication more often than we think - from outdated honourifics to the casual use of “he/she,” and policies that only acknowledge men and women. They unpack how these patterns reinforce assumptions and why it matters for everyon...

To mark International Non-Binary People’s Day, we’re switching seats! In this episode, Kai takes on the role of interviewer, inviting El - usually the one asking the questions - to share their story as a non-binary, gender-fluid person. El speaks to what it’s like to navigate the world without a clear blueprint, and how turning inward has helped shape a life that feels grounded, open and full of p...

In this episode, El and Kai take a closer look at Pride - the parties, the protests and the many complicated feelings in between. For some 2SLGBTQIA+ folks, Pride is a source of joy, visibility and connection. For others, it feels commercialized, disconnected or even painful - especially this year, as anti-queer and trans backlash continues to gain ground around the world. They unpack the roots of...

In this episode, Kai and El unpack the impact of jokes about trans people - specifically those made by comedian Dave Chappelle. While some frame these moments as simple comedy, we explore why these kinds of jokes can be harmful, especially when they rely on tired stereotypes or feed into societal misunderstandings. We talk about what makes a joke punch down, and why that matters - particularly whe...

In this episode, El and Kai step into the everyday world of washrooms and changing rooms - those ordinary spaces that, for many trans and non-binary people, are anything but simple. These are places where something as basic as peeing can come with an undercurrent of discomfort, scrutiny or even violence. They talk about what it means to be seen (or questioned) in these spaces, and how the unspoken...