For all-staff and people leaders
Gender Fabulous
Sex, gender, identity, and expression are four different things. This keynote untangles them.
The conversation about gender is everywhere and most people are navigating it without a map. Worth knowing: the very concept of gender as a role distinct from biological sex was only introduced in 1955. This is new territory, relative to most things we treat as established. This keynote hands people a map, calmly and without judgment. And if you really want to dig deep on gender, pick up a copy of my book Alphabet Soup.
If you’d like to build on this topic beyond the keynote, you can learn more about how I work with organizations on consulting engagements.
Trailer
See it in ninety seconds
Trailer
A short trailer for this talk lands here. Speaking feedback and a longer sample appear below.
Overview
Four distinct concepts that workplaces keep conflating, separated clearly
Most workplaces want to be genuinely inclusive of gender-diverse colleagues. Fewer have been given a clean, shared vocabulary to do it with. Fewer still have had a chance to practice it out loud.
This keynote separates the four concepts that keep getting tangled together: biological sex, gender, gender identity, and gender expression. I walk through each clearly, then turn to what misgendering actually costs an organization, and what a genuinely inclusive workplace for gender-diverse people looks like in practice.
This is the talk for teams that want to do this well and are ready to be told exactly what that requires.
What clients say
From the organizations that booked this talk
-
WCB Nova Scotia is an employer partner with the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion and is committed to building a more inclusive and diverse workplace. Michael Bach recently led a workshop with our leadership team on allyship. Michael was very professional, humorous, engaging, and created a space for us to have important and open conversations, with a willingness to tailor the content to our journey, where we are, and where we need to go.
Shelley Rowan Vice President, People and Strategy WCB Nova Scotia
Verified attendee feedback
What the rooms said
Combined, response-weighted scores from every delivery of this keynote, collected independently through Talkadot.
- 97%Engaging
- 96%Memorable
- 99%Inspiring
- 98%Relevant
- Fun, gentle and positive learning, made me think about my own pronouns and gender identity and how I support that for others Attendee
- Michael's training was fabulous. He's engaging and informative when presenting, and he's knowledgeable about the 2SLGBTQI+ community in the workplace. Thank you for the work that you do and continue to do! Attendee
- This powerful, professional talk provides gentle education, brave stories, and an inspiring call to action! Attendee
Ten-minute speaking sample
Watch a longer sample
Share your email to watch a ten-minute clip from this keynote.
We will not share your email. One click unsubscribes you from anything we send. Submitting tags this address with the talk you asked about, so if you follow up we already know the context.
Thanks. The link is also on its way to your inbox so you can come back to it.
Frequently asked
Quick answers before you reach out
How long is this keynote?
Sixty minutes is the standard, and it is adjustable in either direction. Tell me the slot and I will make it work.
Can it be delivered virtually?
Yes. The structure and the audience interaction are the same in both formats. Virtual delivery works on Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Webex, or whatever platform your team is already using.
Who is this talk for?
Built for all-staff sessions, people manager cohorts, and ERGs. It also lands well with broader leadership audiences and anyone who wants a clean, shared vocabulary on gender.
Can the content be customized for our audience?
Yes. Every booking starts with a prep call to tailor the examples, language, and case studies to your sector, your audience, and the moment your organization is in. Customization is part of the speaking fee, not an add-on.
How do we book Michael for this talk?
Send a note through the contact page with your event date, audience, format, and budget range. You will hear back within two business days with availability, a fee, and a short note on fit.
Bring me to your stage
Tell me about the event, the audience, and what you want people to leave thinking about. I will come back with a short note on fit, format, and what a strong version of this looks like for your room.