Gender Queries

About Gender Queries

Gender Queries is a podcast about trans & gender-diverse healthcare in Atlantic Canada! Made by three gender-diverse med students (AJ, Jess, & Sam), each episode provides an overview of academic literature + interviews with clinical and community guests, with a focus on what healthcare providers need to know to better serve their patients. Please note that this show was primarily made for healthcare providers! All are welcome to listen, but just a heads-up that we sometimes use medical terminology. Follow us on Instagram @genderqueriespod Transcripts and more at linktr.ee/genderqueriespod

Publisher

genderqueriespod

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

16 Feb 2026

Latest episode

5 May 2026

Latest episodes

12 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   5 May 2026

   Ep 11: Chest Surgery

   What does accessing gender-affirming chest surgery look like in Atlantic Canada? Is coverage the same for chest feminization and chest masculinization? What barriers do patients face when policies don’t reflect real clinical needs? And beyond the risks, recovery, and logistics, what does it actually feel like to finally see yourself reflected in your body? Featuring: Gabriel Enxuga (he/they) - PrideHealth Navigator Nikki Valentine (she/her) - @nikkimvee Aspen (she/her) Dr. Nadim Joukhadar (he/him) Pascale Joëlle (any pronouns) - @Hellogender_ Amy Prescott (she/xe) - @affirmpt Gabriel Dit L’individu (he/they) - @youngqueersick Time stamps: 01:05 - What is top surgery 01:40 - Chest feminization (CF) 02:20 - Newfoundland (NL) CF coverage 03:00 - Nova Scotia (NS) CF coverage 06:05 - New Brunswick (NB) CF coverage 06:44 - Prince Edward Island (PEI) CF coverage 07:25 - Access barriers to CF 08:20 - BMI barriers 09:14 - Chest masculinization (CM) 09:20 - Eligibility factors & considerations 12:25 - Lived experience: discovering top surgery 14:10 - NL CM coverage 14:30 - NS CM coverage 14:50 - NB CM coverage 15:20 - PEI CM coverage 15:45 - Risks 19:05 - Post-op follow-up 20:16 - The role of physiotherapy 22:08 - Rewarding work 23:25 - Trans joy! Resources: CQMSA Provincial GAC Guides Trans Care BC prideHealth NS Gender Affirming Care PEI Find Nikki on Twitch (nikki_mv) Gabriel Dit L’individu’s LinkTree: linktr.ee/youngqueersick Transcripts at linktr.ee/genderqueriespod Instagram: @genderqueriespod Recording dates: Apr 2025 (Aspen), June 2025 (Amy), July 2025 (Nikki, Pascale), Sept 2025 (Gabriel, Dr. Joukhadar), Dec 2025 (Gabriel)

2. 

   27 Apr 2026

   Ep 10: Rural Health

   Can trans people access gender-affirming care in rural settings? What happens if they can’t? Do the attitudes of rural providers play a role in the protection of trans rights? The lack of urban anonymity might push a trans person to pack their bags and head for the city. Is there anything we can do to make them feel heard and safe in their small towns? Featuring: Cyrus Campbell (he/they/she) Pascale Joëlle Fortin-Daigle (any pronouns) - @Hellogender_ Dr. Bast (they/them) Kaiden Dalley (he/him) Jocelyn Adams (she/her) -  @gacpei Stevi Gerrior (they/them) - @demandingwedobetter Nikki Valentine (she/her) - @nikkimvee Fawn (she/her) Time stamps: 01:32 - Exposure to the TGD world 04:45 - Lack of rural providers 07:04 - Travel 09:16 - Referral culture 12:23 - Dr. Bast: protection of trans rights 14:34 - Mental health 16:13 - Privacy 19:41 - Supports 21:54 - Advice to providers 24:50 - Relief Resources: Stevi’s website: www.dobetterconsulting.ca Find Nikki on Twitch (nikki_mv) Transcripts at linktr.ee/genderqueriespod Instagram: @genderqueriespod Recording dates: Apr 2025 (Fawn), May 2025 (Kaiden), July 2025 (Cyrus, Nikki, Pascale), Aug 2025 (Jocelyn), Dec 2025 (Stevi), Apr 2026 (Dr. Bast)

3. 

   20 Apr 2026

   Ep 09: Long-Term Health Outcomes

   Does gender-affirming hormone therapy affect the heart? How does a binder change breathing patterns? How do we risk-stratify trans patients? Join us as we take a closer look at how multiple organ systems are influenced by gender-affirming care and the broader health considerations for gender-diverse communities. Just a heads up, we get pretty deep into the medical weeds in this one. Featuring: Dr. Heather Cockwell (she/her) Meaghan Ray Peters (they/them) - @Chest_binding_support Dr. Arati Mokashi (she/her) Ken Mullock (he/him) - @ken.dietitian Jocelyn Adams (she/her) -  @gacpei Time stamps: 01:25 - MI risk 03:21 - Estrogen & VTE 04:58 - Testosterone & inflammation 05:38 - Risk calculation 07:19 - EKG changes 08:17 - Smoking 09:08 - Binding & lung function 13:52 - Osteoporosis & fracture risk 16:55 - Bone mineral accrual 18:55 - Vitamin D 19:30 - Diabetes risk & management 21:00 - CBC interpretation 21:40 - Prolactin levels 22:02 - Chronic health & looking forward Resources: Acronyms used in this episode Meaghan Ray’s LinkTree: linktr.ee/chest_binding_support Ken’s nutrition guide for gender-affirming surgery - https://tr.ee/lsreGuebBV Gender-Affirming Care PEI - gacpei.ca The Queer & Trans Health Collective - Health & Nutrition Transcripts at linktr.ee/genderqueriespod Instagram: @genderqueriespod Recording dates: Aug 2024 (Dr. Mokashi), Oct 2024 (Dr. Cockwell), Aug 2025 (Meaghan Ray), July 2025 (Ken), Aug 2025 (Jocelyn)

4. 

   13 Apr 2026

   Ep 08: Exercise & Nutrition

   Why doesn’t the average trans or gender-diverse person get enough exercise? Why might gender diversity impact someone’s relationship with food? How do these factors influence health and wellbeing? You’ll hear the challenges and the highlights of trans folks playing sports, the details of nutrition requirements for those taking hormone therapies, and some helpful tips for peri-operative nutrition. Featuring: Cyrus Campbell (he/they/she) Nikki Valentine (she/her) - @nikkimvee Pascale Joëlle Fortin-Daigle (any pronouns) - @Hellogender_ Elanor (she/her) Maeka Wright (they/them) - @mwrightyoga Justine Ward (they/them) - @cannonballjustine Ken Mullock (he/him) - @ken.dietitian Time stamps: 01:19 - Rates of physical activity 02:52 - Guests’ experiences with sports & exercise 13:25 - Mindfulness & wellbeing 16:51 - Monitoring metabolic parameters 17:24 - “Our evidence is in our practice” 18:56 - Disordered eating 22:31 - Poor-quality diets 25:15 - Nutrient requirements on GAHT 27:46 - Metabolic changes on GAHT 30:03 - Counselling patients on diet 31:41 - Pre-/post-op nutrition 34:52 - Impact on health Resources & more: Find Nikki on Twitch (nikki_mv) Justine's LinkTree: linktr.ee/cannonballjustine Maeka (Manual Osteopath/Yoga Therapist) - maekawright.com Maeka’s book recommendations: The Teacher’s Guide to Accessible Yoga (Jivana Heyman), Skill in Action (Michelle Cassandra Johnson), Yoga (Indu Arora), The New Saints (Lama Rod Owens), The Care We Dream Of (Zena Sharman) Rainbow Health Ontario’s guide for monitoring feminizing & masculinizing hormones Ken’s nutrition guide for gender-affirming surgery - https://tr.ee/lsreGuebBV Transcripts at linktr.ee/genderqueriespod Instagram: @genderqueriespod Recording dates: July 2025 (Ken, Cyrus, Nikki, Elanor, Pascale), Aug 2025 (Justine, Maeka)

5. 

   7 Apr 2026

   Ep 07: TGD Health in Clinical Education

   Provider education plays a critical role in shaping trans and gender-diverse healthcare, but many clinicians receive little to no formal training. In this episode, we explore how gaps in clinical education impact patient care, from unnecessary referrals to patients feeling like they must educate their own providers. We also unpack how trans health is often treated as optional or siloed in curricula, and why integrating it across all areas of practice matters. Finally, we highlight practical, evidence-based steps for creating more inclusive, affirming, and competent healthcare environments. Featuring: Victoria Brown (she/her) RJ (he/him) Amy Prescott (she/xe)- @affirmpt Xiaoqi Zhu (he/they) Gabriel Enxuga (he/they) Nikki Valentine (she/her) - @nikkimvee Aspen (she/her) Jocelyn Adams (she/her) -  @gacpei Dr. Sue Atkinson (she/her) Fawn (she/her) Pascale Joëlle (any pronouns) - @Hellogender_ Mitchell (he/him) Time stamps: 00:33 - Why provider education matters 01:14 - Student perspectives 04:24 - Confidence and care deferral 09:24 - Referral culture 10:42 - Advice to providers 14:30 - Patients as educators 16:54 - Healthcare avoidance 18:48 - Checkbox vs meaningful change 21:56 - The hidden curriculum 23:32 - Where trans health “lives” in curriculum 24:43 - Creating safer clinical spaces 28:24 - What the evidence shows 30:16 - Student-led curriculum change Resources: Sherbourne Guidelines Rainbow Health Ontario: Trans Primary Care Guide Trans Care BC prideHealth NS Gender Affirming Care PEI Transcripts at linktr.ee/genderqueriespod Instagram: @genderqueriespod Recording dates: Apr 2025 (Aspen, Fawn), June 2025 (Amy, Xiaoqi), July 2025 (RJ, Pascale), Aug 2025 (Dr. Atkinson, Jocelyn, Victoria, Mitchell, Nikki), Sept 2025 (Gabriel).

6. 

   30 Mar 2026

   Ep 06: Disability x Gender Diversity

   How does the intersection of disability and gender diversity influence one’s experience accessing healthcare? Why is it important for providers to acknowledge this intersection? How does having a disability affect surgical planning? And where does the topic of sex fit into all of this? In addition to the challenges, we also discuss practical steps for providers to make their practice more accessible and affirming. Featuring: RJ (he/him) Rachele Manett (they/she) Gabriel Dit L’individu (he/they) - @youngqueersick Dr. Joukhadar (he/him) Dr. Sarah Fraser (she/her) Time stamps: 00:56 - Intersectionality 03:33 - Feeling split in two 05:15 - Why is identity relevant? 07:06 - Unmet health needs 09:59 - Access to care 13:01 - Surgical care 21:18 - Medication interactions 24:24 - Neurodiversity 30:00 - Community 33:17 - Sex & sexuality 41:14 - Conflicting access needs 44:18 - Advocacy Resources: Check out the Venus Envy website (venusenvy.ca) and Instagram @venusenvyhfx 10 Principles of Disability Justice | Sins Invalid Gabriel’s LinkTree: linktr.ee/youngqueersick Gabriel's recommendations for first-person perspectives and examples of their work: Alice Wong (Year of the Tiger; Disability Visibility), Brené Brown (Daring Greatly), Rupi Kaur, Sonya Renee Taylor (The Body is Not an Apology) Transcripts at linktr.ee/genderqueriespod Instagram: @genderqueriespod Recording dates: Oct 2024 (Rachele), July 2025 (RJ), Sept 2025 (Dr. Fraser, Dr. Joukhadar), Dec 2025 (Gabriel)

7. 

   23 Mar 2026

   Ep 05: Infant Feeding

   Is chestfeeding an option while taking testosterone or after top surgery? How does induced lactation work for transfeminine folks? And what is it like to go through the ups and downs of infant feeding as a trans parent? We get into all things infant feeding with midwives CJ & Coral plus the amazing Laura, Tori, and Forrest! Featuring: CJ Blennerhassett (she/they) Coral Maloney (she/her) Laura (she/her) Rev. Tori Mullin (they/them, he/him) Forrest Sandifer (he/him) Timestamps: 00:39 - A note on language 1:23 - Physiology of lactation 2:35 - Medications and lactation 3:22 - Rates of chestfeeding among TGD parents 5:00 - Midwifery & infant feeding for TGD parents in Atlantic Canada 7:30 - Newman-Goldfarb Protocol for Induced Lactation 15:33 - Laura: parent experience with induced lactation 21:13 - Donor milk in Atlantic Canada 25:18 - Rev. Tori Mullin: parent experience with chestfeeding 31:01 - Options if someone does not want to lactate 32:01 - Testosterone, chestfeeding, and dysphoria 33:27 - Binding and chestfeeding 34:30 - Forrest Sandifer: patient experience with chestfeeding 36:10 - Is testosterone safe during pregnancy or chestfeeding? 38:10 - Chestfeeding after top surgery Resources: Transcare BC Pregnancy & Infant Feeding La leche league international as a community resource incl. write-up Sugarhealth: online source of information for sexual/reproductive health specific to NS More info specific to pregnancy/lactation and birth is coming Rainbow health Ontario Transcripts at linktr.ee/genderqueriespod Instagram: @genderqueriespod Recording dates:  July 2024 (CJ & Coral), Jan 2025 (Forrest), May 2025 (Rev. Tori Mullin), Feb 2026 (Laura)

8. 

   16 Mar 2026

   Ep 04: Fertility & Family Planning

   How many trans & gender-diverse folks are interested in parenthood? How does gender-affirming hormone therapy affect fertility, contraception and family planning? What kinds of fertility preservation options are available? And what is it like to experience pregnancy as a trans person? We talk all things family planning! 2026 Update from Dr. Cockwell: Technology has progressed since this recording, and AART now offers both ovarian and testicular tissue cryopreservation for folks taking puberty blockers! Featuring: Dr. Heather Cockwell (she/her) Dr. Elgin Pecjak (he/him) Forrest Sandifer (he/him) - @groovyshroom Timestamps: 00:50 - Canada’s history of forced sterilization 01:41 - Ethics of reproductive care access for trans folks 03:09 - Coverage and barriers to fertility care 06:04 - How many trans people want to parent & what kinds of parenthood are they interested in? 14:53 - How puberty blockers and gender-affirming hormone therapy impact fertility + fertility preservation options 27:32 - Pregnancy experiences of trans folks 29:30 - Forrest Sandifer: trans experience of pregnancy, perinatal care, and parenting 37:50 - Contraception for patients on gender-affirming hormone therapy Resources: Forrest’s CBC Article RHO Guidelines that include costs of fertility treatment Conceivable: book about queer family in Canada Queer Conception Baby Making for Everybody Contraception Counseling for Transgender Patients Assigned Female at Birth Transcripts at linktr.ee/genderqueriespod Instagram: @genderqueriespod Recording dates: Oct 2024 (Dr. Cockwell), Jan 2025 (Forrest), July 2025 (Dr. Pecjak)

9. 

   9 Mar 2026

   Ep 03: Gendered Healthcare

   How is gynecological, breast, and prostate cancer screening different for trans folks? What is it like to navigate the more gendered sides of healthcare as a trans person? And how can healthcare providers improve the experiences of trans patients in gendered spaces? We get into what we do (and don’t) know about gendered healthcare! Featuring: Kaiden Dalley (he/him) Dr. Sue Atkinson (she/her) Dr. Nadim Joukhadar (he/him) Xiaoqi Zhu (he/they) Pascale Fortin-Diagle (any pronouns) - @Hellogender_ James Moriarty (he/him) - @100percenttransfat Eleanor (she/her) Amy Prescott (she/xe) - @affirmpt Timestamps: 02:50 - Breast cancer 08:53 - Gynecologic cancers 17:54 - James Moriarty: having a gendered cancer as a transman 24:52 - Prostate cancer 26:00 - Testicular pathologies 27:33 - Eleanor: having an inguinal hernia as a transwoman 29:40 - Pelvic physiotherapy Resources: Kaiden's map for gender neutral bathrooms in NFL. Sherbourne Guidelines Amy's Pelvic Physio Linktree: http://linktr.ee/affirmpt Transcripts at linktr.ee/genderqueriespod Instagram: @genderqueriespod Recording dates: May 2025 (Kaiden), June 2025 (Amy, Xiaoqi), July 2025 (James, Elanor, Pascale), Aug 2025 (Dr. Atkinson), Sept 2025 (Dr. Joukhadar)

10. 

    2 Mar 2026

    Ep 02: Pediatrics

    What do health outcomes look like for trans & gender-diverse youth? What are the risks and benefits of transitioning for youth? And how can healthcare providers help support families and kids through this process? We talk all things pediatrics with Dr. Arati Mokashi and Elsja Hennessy! Timestamps: 00:48 - The Cass Review 03:48 - How many TGD youth are out there? 09:16 - Mental & physical health outcomes for TGD youth 13:50 - Social transition 20:01 - Elsja: supporting your child through social transition 32:16 - Puberty suppression 43:36 - Gender-affirming hormone therapy in youth 47:05 - Barriers to care for youth 50:35 - Detransition Resources: Science vs Trans Kids’ Healthcare: Are We Getting It Wrong? Local child and youth mental health clinics Guidelines for supporting transgender and gender non-conforming students PFLAG Canada: parent support group The Youth Project Trans Lifeline for immediate support Transcripts at linktr.ee/genderqueriespod Instagram: @genderqueriespod Recording dates: Aug/Sept 2024

11. 

    23 Feb 2026

    Ep 01: What is Gender-Affirming Care?

    Your gender-affirming care crash course! What are packing, binding, and tucking? What are the risks, benefits, and options for gender-affirming hormone therapy? And how can folks access this care in Atlantic Canada? We explore the non-surgical side of gender-affirming care. Featuring: Meaghan-Ray Peters (they/them) - @Chest_binding_support Pascale Joëlle (any pronouns) - @Hellogender_ Dr. Sue Atkinson (she/her) Gabriel Enxuga (he/they) Jocelyn Adams (she/her) - @gacpei Timestamps: 02:51- What is social transition? 03:38- Chest binding 08:10- Chest taping 11:50- Padding 12:16- Packing 13:39- Tucking 16:01- Violence against trans folks 19:10- What is medical transition? 19:46- Gender-affirming hormone therapy 32:27- How to access GAC? 33:25- Coverage for GAC Resources: WPATH SOC8 Transformation Closet Sherbourne Guidelines Rainbow Health Ontario: Trans Primary Care Guide Trans Care BC prideHealth NS Gender Affirming Care PEI Transcripts at linktr.ee/genderqueriespod Instagram: @genderqueriespod Recording dates: July 2025 (Pascale), Aug 2025 (Meaghan Ray, Dr. Atkinson, Jocelyn), Sept 2025 (Gabriel)

12. 

    16 Feb 2026

    Gender Queries Trailer

    Welcome to Gender Queries!Head to linktr.ee/genderqueriespod for transcripts and moreEmail us at genderqueriespod@gmail.comFind us on Instagram @genderqueriespod

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