Transgender accommodation focus for Vancouver business

When federal Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould introduced legislation on Tuesday to protect transgender Canadians from harassment, discriminationand violence, she said transgender Canadians "should feel free and safe."

For the past year, a Vancouver company, TransFocus Consulting, has worked on making transgender Canadians feel free and safe in the workplace.

Co-owner Drew Dennis helps employers make their workplaces trans-friendly, and also provides transgender resources to policy makers, employers,and leaders across diverse sectors.

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"From the work that we do, so many people want to get it right, [but] they're afraid to make mistakes. There's a nervousness," Dennis told On The Coast host Stephen Quinn.

"We give people permission to make mistakes. You will slip up on a pronoun. You will maybe use a former name. That's okay acknowledge it, quickly move on.But over time, particularly if you have a co-worker or child or someone close in your social circle, over time, you will be amazed at how quickly people will pick up and make the adjustments."

Dennis says it's encouraging to see curiosity and "genuine inquisitiveness" about transgender accommodation, which Dennis has observed firsthand working with public schools and with the Vancouver Park Board on their transgender inclusion efforts.

"The good thing is, I would say, most of the people we're working with right now are trying to get out ahead," Dennis said.

"When you start getting into policing services or housing services, where a transgender person is denied because of their gender identity or not allowed to use the washroom or the accommodation that aligns with their gender identity, that's when folks start getting into trouble."

Ultimately, Dennis expects TransFocus' practice will be busier in coming months as today's legislation builds awareness of transgender people's rights.

"It's been a long time coming," Dennis said of the legislation. "Transfolks are actually included in the Human Rights Act, and discrimination and other issues are no longer okay."

With files from CBC Radio One's On The Coast

To hear the full story, click the audio labelled:Meet the company that helps businesses, organizations accommodate transgender people