Gender in Focus

TransFocus

What does it really take to create an inclusive world for trans and non-binary people? If you've ever wondered how to make meaningful changes - whether at work, in your community, at home, or beyond - you're in the right place. Hosted by Kai, President of TransFocus Consulting, Gender in Focus dives into the heart of inclusion, with real stories, expert advice and practical tips. Sometimes Kai will be joined by special guests, but each week, you can expect fresh perspectives, moments of reflection, and actionable takeaways to help you lead with kindness, confidence, and a whole lot of heart. Hey, maybe you’ll learn more about your own gender through different experiences. So, whether you're already on your inclusion journey or just getting started, tune in and discover how you can make change happen. Let's get started - change is just a conversation away.

  1. 3d ago ·  Video

    Do Trans Bathroom Bans Actually Protect Women? Here's What the Data Shows

    Trans bathroom bans are marketed as protecting women. The data say otherwise. In the US, at least 21 states now restrict trans people from using washrooms that match their gender identity, requiring access based on sex assigned at birth instead. Canada has taken the opposite approach - gender identity has been the legal standard for washroom access since the late 1990s. So which model actually works, and who does each one really protect? In this episode of Gender in Focus, hosts Kai and El dig into Williams Institute research comparing both systems - and the findings are surprising for people on both sides of the debate. They cover: What the data actually shows about safety in states and provinces with gender-identity-based washroom access - including why no rise in safety incidents has been found What happens when sex-at-birth laws force trans men into women's washrooms and trans women into men's washrooms — and even then, 10% of trans men and 7% of trans women are still denied access to the washrooms they're legally required to use The overlooked group also harmed by appearance-based bathroom policing: gender-nonconforming cisgender women Real-world consequences of sex-at-birth policy, including a trans woman's ID mismatch that led to a fraud charge How organizations and workplaces can write a washroom policy based on behaviour, not appearance - with a practical code-of-conduct framework any employer can useWhether you're following the US bathroom bill debate, trying to understand Canada's gender identity laws, or building an inclusive workplace policy, this conversation breaks down what the evidence actually says - not just what the political rhetoric claims. Content note: this episode discusses discrimination, harassment, and misgendering. Research mentioned: https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/publications/safety-in-restrooms-and-facilites/ Gender in Focus is a podcast from TransFocus, exploring gender diversity, transgender and non-binary experience, and how organizations and individuals can build genuinely inclusive workplaces and communities. New episodes weekly. Follow the show so you don't miss an episode, and if this one was useful, a rating and review helps others find it. Connect with us online: 🌐 Learn more about how we can support your workplace: www.transfocus.ca/organization 📸 Instagram: @transfocusconsulting 🎥 Watch our YouTube episodes here: www.youtube.com/@transfocusconsulting 📧 Email: podcast@transfocus.ca ➡️ Have feedback for us? Fill in this short survey: www.podcastsurvey.scoreapp.com

    Do Trans Bathroom Bans Actually Protect Women? Here's What the Data Shows

  2. Aug 24 ·  Video

    A Trans Employee Came Out at Work - What Should HR Do Next?

    A transgender employee just came out at work—what should HR do next? In this episode of Gender in Focus, El and Kai break down exactly what HR, managers, and DEI leaders need to know when an employee discloses their gender identity at work, and why "employee-led" doesn't mean hands-off. TransFocus consults organizations on building trans and non-binary inclusive workplaces, and in this episode Kai and El go deep on what workplace disclosure really looks like: what transgender and non-binary employees are weighing before they ever say a word, why so many feel like a burden just for asking for the basics, and what a proper trans inclusion toolkit actually needs to cover. In this episode, we cover: What "disclosure" means (and why we don't say "coming out" or "transitioning" at work) Why work is usually the last place transgender and non-binary people come out—and what that tells you about the risk they're taking What "employee-led" actually means, and how HR and managers get it wrong in both directions The practical stuff no one thinks about: pronouns, names, gender markers, time off, who tells the team, and how Why having zero policy in place is a legal risk, not a neutral stance What transgender and non-binary employees are legally entitled to ask for at work (workplace rights and accommodations) How to build (or get) a disclosure toolkit for your organizationGet our free disclosure template: join the TransFocus newsletter and we'll send you our 10-12 page disclosure template—a ready-to-use HR guide covering exactly what to ask, what not to ask, and how to document a workplace disclosure process properly. 👉 https://www.transfocus.ca/freeresourcedownload Want a tailored trans inclusion toolkit for your organization? TransFocus works directly with organizations to build custom trans and non-binary inclusion toolkits and disclosure guidelines. 👉 www.transfocus.ca/organization Gender in Focus is a podcast from TransFocus, exploring gender diversity, transgender and non-binary experience, and how organizations and individuals can build genuinely inclusive workplaces and communities. New episodes weekly. Follow the show so you don't miss an episode, and if this one was useful, a rating and review helps other HR leaders and DEI professionals find it. Connect with us online: 🌐 Learn more about how we can support your workplace: www.transfocus.ca/organization 📸 Instagram: @transfocusconsulting 🎥 Watch our YouTube episodes here: www.youtube.com/@transfocusconsulting 📧 Email: podcast@transfocus.ca ➡️ Have feedback for us? Fill in this short survey: www.podcastsurvey.scoreapp.com

    A Trans Employee Came Out at Work - What Should HR Do Next?

  3. Aug 17 ·  Video

    "Have You Had 'The' Surgery?" - The Question Trans People Can't Escape

    Why does almost every conversation about trans people eventually turn to surgery? In this episode of Gender in Focus, El and Kai Scott unpack the "have you had the surgery?" question — where it comes from, what it reveals about cis assumptions around gender and bodies, and why it's especially loaded at work. Kai breaks down why "the surgery" is never just one surgery, why genitals so often become the unspoken centre of the question, and why most trans people never undergo every — or even any — gender-affirming surgery. El and Kai also dig into the difference between a question that comes from genuine support and one that's really just about satisfying your own curiosity, using a powerful story about disability, dignity, and asking better questions. Then they bring it into the workplace specifically: how much (if anything) a trans employee should have to share about medical transition, what HR and managers actually need to know versus what they're just curious about, and how organizations can avoid treating trans and non-binary staff as a monolith. If you've ever wondered whether a question you're curious about is actually okay to ask — or if you're trans or non-binary and tired of fielding it — this episode is for you. If this episode was helpful, the best way to support the show is to follow it and leave us a rating and review — it makes a real difference in helping other people find these conversations. About Gender in Focus: Gender in Focus is a podcast from TransFocus, exploring gender diversity, trans and non-binary experiences, and how organizations and individuals can build genuinely inclusive workplaces and communities. New episodes weekly. Connect with us online: 🌐 Learn more about how we can support your workplace: www.transfocus.ca/organization 📸 Instagram: @transfocusconsulting 🎥 Watch our YouTube episodes here: www.youtube.com/@transfocusconsulting 📧 Email: podcast@transfocus.ca ➡️ Have feedback for us? Fill in this short survey: www.podcastsurvey.scoreapp.com

    "Have You Had 'The' Surgery?" - The Question Trans People Can't Escape

  4. Aug 10 ·  Video

    Supporting Trans Employees Through Hostile News Cycles

    Trans and non-binary employees are exhausted by non-stop anti-trans news cycles — and most workplace support falls flat because it's performative, not practical. In this episode of Gender in Focus, El and Kai unpack the real impact that constant anti-trans news, legislation, and court rulings (including the U.S. Supreme Court's Skrmetti decision) are having on trans and non-binary employees — and why so much of the standard advice for supporting them at work misses the mark. They dig into why "performative allyship" — Pride flags, one-off statements, quick reactions to every headline — often does more harm than good, and what actually makes trans and non-binary employees feel supported day to day. They also explore the hidden cost of hyper-visibility: why organizations shouldn't rely on their trans and non-binary employees to educate everyone else, defend policy decisions, or explain every headline — and what sustainable, everyday inclusion looks like instead. Whether you work in HR, DEI, or people leadership, this episode gives you practical, non-performative ways to support trans and non-binary staff through a hostile news cycle — including how to find the balance between over-responding to every issue and ignoring it altogether, how to recover from mistakes without falling into performative guilt, and what to actually prioritize this year to build real trans allyship and gender diversity in your workplace. Gender in Focus is a weekly podcast from TransFocus exploring trans and non-binary workplace inclusion, gender diversity, and what's happening in the world for trans people — for HR professionals, DEI practitioners, and anyone building a genuinely inclusive workplace. Enjoyed this episode? Don't forget to hit Follow on Spotify, Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, and leave us a 5-star review to help more allies find these vital conversations! Connect with us online: 🌐 Learn more about how we can support your workplace: www.transfocus.ca/organization 📸 Instagram: @transfocusconsulting 🎥 Watch our YouTube episodes here: www.youtube.com/@transfocusconsulting 📧 Email: podcast@transfocus.ca ➡️ Have feedback for us? Fill in this short survey: www.podcastsurvey.scoreapp.com

    Supporting Trans Employees Through Hostile News Cycles

  5. Aug 3 ·  Video

    Trans Regret Rates: What the Research Actually Shows

    Do trans people regret transitioning? The research says something very different from what most people assume about transition regret. In this episode, El and Kai break down the real data on transgender regret rates, gender-affirming care outcomes, and detransition statistics — including a meta-analysis of 27 studies across 14 countries and nearly 8,000 trans patients, which found a combined regret rate of just 1%, compared to 20% or more for other common medical procedures like bariatric surgery and LASIK. They unpack why regret after gender-affirming surgery happens on the rare occasions it does (hint: it's mostly not about gender identity), the pressure trans and non-binary people face to have "all the answers" before being taken seriously, and what loved ones can actually do if they're afraid someone they care about might regret transitioning. They close with practical guidance on responding to a loved one's gender journey — binary or non-binary — with curiosity instead of fear. In this episode: Why regret became the go-to fear around trans identities Transgender regret rates vs. other medical and surgical procedures What regret is actually about when it happens Detransition and detransitioner support — what the research says How to support a loved one exploring their gender identity A free allyship resource for working through "stuck" thoughts and biasResources mentioned: 1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8099405/ 2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002961024002381 3. https://int.livhospital.com/most-regretted-surgery-the-shocking-top-5-list/ Stress-Free Allyship guide: https://www.transfocus.ca/s/Final-_-TransFocus-Resource-on-Stress-Free-Allyship-Resource.pdf About Gender in Focus: Gender in Focus is a podcast from TransFocus, exploring gender diversity, trans and non-binary experiences, and how organizations and individuals can build genuinely inclusive workplaces and communities. New episodes weekly. Connect with us online: 🌐 Learn more about how we can support your workplace: www.transfocus.ca/organization 📸 Instagram: @transfocusconsulting 🎥 Watch our YouTube episodes here: www.youtube.com/@transfocusconsulting 📧 Email: podcast@transfocus.ca ➡️ Have feedback for us? Fill in this short survey: www.podcastsurvey.scoreapp.com

    Trans Regret Rates: What the Research Actually Shows

  6. Jul 27 ·  Video

    "You're Making Us Look Bad": Why Trans People Police Each Other

    “You’re making us look bad.” It’s a phrase some trans and non-binary people have heard. Not from critics, but from other trans people who worry that being too visible, too different, or too outspoken will make acceptance harder for everyone. In this episode of Gender in Focus, Kai and El explore the fear that sits underneath comments like “tone it down,” “don’t rock the boat,” and “you’re asking for too much.” Why do conversations about pronouns, non-binary identities, gender expression, and visibility sometimes create tension within the trans and non-binary community itself? Together, we unpack how fear of backlash can turn inward, why trans and non-binary people are not a monolith, and what happens when people feel pressured to make themselves smaller in order to be accepted. We also explore what organizations, allies, and community members can learn from the wide range of experiences and perspectives that exist across the trans and non-binary community. Whether you’re trans, non-binary, questioning, an ally, or simply interested in understanding today’s conversations around gender identity, pronouns, inclusion, and belonging, this episode offers a thoughtful look at one of the most complex and misunderstood dynamics within the trans community. Enjoyed this episode? Don't forget to hit Follow on Spotify, Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, and leave us a 5-star review to help more allies find these vital conversations! Connect with us online: 🌐 Learn more about how we can support your workplace: www.transfocus.ca/organization 📸 Instagram: @transfocusconsulting 🎥 Watch our YouTube episodes here: www.youtube.com/@transfocusconsulting 📧 Email: podcast@transfocus.ca ➡️ Have feedback for us? Fill in this short survey: www.podcastsurvey.scoreapp.com Join us on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and Facebook. SEO Keywords: Trans community, Non-binary identities, Gender identity, Pronouns, Gender expression, Trans inclusion, Trans acceptance, Trans allyship, Non-binary people, Gender diversity, LGBTQ+ inclusion, Workplace inclusion, Respectability politics, Social acceptance, Allyship, Trans rights.

    "You're Making Us Look Bad": Why Trans People Police Each Other

  7. Jul 20 ·  Video

    The Problem With Trans People's Old Photos Nobody Talks About

    Photos are supposed to preserve memories. But what happens when a photo captures a time in your life that feels complicated to look back on? For many trans and non-binary people, photos from before coming out or transitioning can bring up a wide range of reactions. Some people find them painful or uncomfortable. Some keep them private. Others find them funny, nostalgic, or even enjoy sharing before-and-after photos. In this episode of Gender in Focus, El and Kai explore the often-overlooked topic of old photos of trans people and why there is no single “right” way for trans and non-binary people to feel about them. What should you do if you accidentally find a photo of someone from before they transitioned? Should you mention it? Ignore it? Ask about it? El and Kai unpack these questions while exploring why trans and non-binary people can have very different relationships with old photos, ranging from discomfort and privacy to humour, nostalgia, and celebration. They also discuss how social media features like Facebook Memories can unexpectedly bring past images back into view, why asking to see photos from before someone’s transition may not be as harmless as it seems, and how friends, family members, partners, coworkers, and workplaces can navigate old photos with more thoughtfulness and care. Whether you’re a trans person reflecting on your own relationship with photos from before transition or someone who wants to better support the trans and non-binary people in your life, this episode offers practical insights into a topic that many people have never stopped to consider. In this episode: Why trans and non-binary people can have very different reactions to old photos Photos from before transition and coming out What to do if you find an old photo of a trans or non-binary person Facebook Memories, social media, and unexpected reminders of the past Before-and-after photos and transition journeys Comments and “compliments” that can miss the mark Family photo albums, photos on display, and shared memories Workplace photos, staff directories, websites, and ID badges How to navigate old photos without making assumptionsGender in Focus is a podcast from TransFocus Consulting exploring gender, allyship, inclusion, and the everyday experiences of trans and non-binary people.  Connect with us online: 🌐 Website: www.TransFocus.ca ✉️ Email: podcast@transfocus.ca ➡️ Have feedback for us? Fill in this short survey: www.podcastsurvey.scoreapp.com/ Join us on social media: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok | Threads | Facebook

    The Problem With Trans People's Old Photos Nobody Talks About

  8. Jul 13 ·  Video

    Why Inclusive Workplaces Still Exclude Non-Binary People (And How to Fix It)

    Many organizations are working hard to become more inclusive of trans and non-binary people. But even in workplaces with supportive leaders, inclusive policies, and good intentions, non-binary employees can still end up being overlooked. In this episode of Gender in Focus, Kai and El explore what happens when workplace systems are built around the assumption that everyone is either a man or a woman. From gender data collection and workplace washrooms to employee programs, surveys, and everyday interactions, they unpack the hidden ways non-binary people can be excluded even in organizations that genuinely want to do the right thing. They discuss: • Why non-binary identities are often misunderstood as a “third gender” rather than a diverse range of experiences • Why workplace washrooms, gender data collection, employee programs, and other everyday systems can create barriers for non-binary employees • Why many non-binary people feel invisible in workplaces that were never designed with them in mind • The impact of constantly navigating assumptions about gender, appearance, and identity • Why many non-binary employees choose not to raise concerns, even when barriers exist • The difference between cultural barriers and structural barriers in workplace inclusion • How organizations can move beyond good intentions and create systems that work for a wider range of experiences • The unique strengths, perspectives, and problem-solving approaches non-binary people bring to teams and workplaces They also explore a bigger question: What if non-binary inclusion isn’t just about supporting non-binary people? What if it helps organizations build workplaces that are more flexible, responsive, and effective for everyone? Whether you work in human resources, EDI, leadership, operations, education, healthcare, or are simply interested in workplace inclusion, this episode challenges some of the most common assumptions about gender at work and offers practical ways to build workplaces where more people can thrive. Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to hit Follow on Spotify, Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, and leave us a 5-star review to help more allies find these vital conversations! Connect with us online: 🌐 Website: www.TransFocus.ca ✉️ Email: podcast@transfocus.ca ➡️ Have feedback for us? Fill in this short survey: https://podcastsurvey.scoreapp.com/ Join us on social media: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok | Threads | Facebook Workplace Inclusion, Non-Binary Identity, Gender Diversity in Business, HR Best Practices, EDI Strategy, Inclusive Leadership, Trans and Non-Binary Support, Gender-inclusive workplace policies.

    Why Inclusive Workplaces Still Exclude Non-Binary People (And How to Fix It)
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About

What does it really take to create an inclusive world for trans and non-binary people? If you've ever wondered how to make meaningful changes - whether at work, in your community, at home, or beyond - you're in the right place. Hosted by Kai, President of TransFocus Consulting, Gender in Focus dives into the heart of inclusion, with real stories, expert advice and practical tips. Sometimes Kai will be joined by special guests, but each week, you can expect fresh perspectives, moments of reflection, and actionable takeaways to help you lead with kindness, confidence, and a whole lot of heart. Hey, maybe you’ll learn more about your own gender through different experiences. So, whether you're already on your inclusion journey or just getting started, tune in and discover how you can make change happen. Let's get started - change is just a conversation away.

Information

  • Creator
    TransFocus
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    80
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Gender in Focus