Welcome to inclusion bites, your sanctuary for bold conversations that spark change. I'm Joanne Lockwood, your guide on this journey of exploration into the heart of inclusion, belonging and societal transformation. Ever wondered what a true, what it takes to create a world where everyone not only belongs, but thrives? You're not alone. Join me as we uncover the unseen, challenge the status quo and share stories that resonate deep within. Ready to dive in? Whether you're sipping your morning coffee or winding down after a long day, let's connect, reflect and inspire action together. Don't forget, you can be part of the conversation too. Reach out to jo.Lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk to share your insights or to join me on the show.

So adjust your earbuds and settle in. It's time to ignite the spark of inclusion with inclusion bites. Today is episode 109 with the title beyond binaries and I have the absolute honour and privilege to welcome Cynthia Fortlage. Cynthia is an award winning gender diversity speaker, consultant and writer, and when I asked Cynthia to describe her superpower, she said she's one leader with two genders of experience. Hello, Cynthia, welcome to the show.

Hi Jo. Thanks so much for having me on the show. I'm excited to be here with you today.

Fabulous. So, Cynthia, beyond the binaries and your.

Superpower, tell me, you know, the work that I do today with organisations is focused on really dealing with all of the issues that cover the space of gender diversity. And it's not gender identity, it is how diverse gender is. And I talk about, from a historical perspective, 10,000 years of understanding language and history, where clearly 10,000 years ago cultures knew that gender was not binary. Yet we obviously have a lot of conversation today about, quote, the binary of gender, when in fact it's actually not. Even though in my own personal story, I always describe it as, quote, flipping my binary because that was what was right for me. And that insight coming from the place where I was, which was when I came to this life epiphany, I was a C suite working executive overseeing technology for a international organisation in North America. Hence my accent. And that journey to where I am today has been strewn with a whole bunch of leadership roles and responsibilities.

In fact, it may interest the audience to know that I actually learned to fight for women's rights before I ever learnt to fight for LGBTQ plus or trans rights. And that very much influences the lenses by which I look at the challenges that organisations face. And those challenges that I talk about are not just within the LGBTQ plus or trans space. But the issues that impact women, that, again, relate to. For two and a half years, I was learning to fight for women's rights across all of Canada, not just the LGBTQ plus ones, but all women. And therefore, when I became national leader of that organisation, I was bringing a voice to all of women's issues. And so that gives me a very unique insight as well. Also the fact that I have never met another C suite level executive who has transitioned on the job.