Ottawa, March 31, 2025 – To mark Transgender Day of Visibility, the Canadian Bar Association is proud to announce the launch of Trans Module 101 – Understanding Gender Diversity and Inclusion, a groundbreaking self-paced training designed to equip legal professionals with essential knowledge and practical tools to better serve trans and gender-diverse people.
The legal system plays a critical role in upholding justice for all, yet many trans and gender-diverse individuals continue to face systemic barriers when navigating legal processes. Trans Module 101 is tailored to help legal professionals—lawyers, judges, law students, and other legal practitioners—develop a deeper understanding of gender diversity and enhance their ability to serve trans and gender-diverse clients with competence, fairness, and respect.
At a time when trans rights are increasingly in the spotlight and misinformation is spreading, this training aims to equip legal professionals with factual knowledge to lead with empathy and integrity. This training will empower them to provide informed, compassionate, and effective legal support to trans and gender-diverse clients, while also helping them stay proactive in understanding the evolving legal landscape.
Trans Module 101 – Understanding Gender Diversity and Inclusion is available for free on the CBA website. It is complemented by a newly developed infographic on sexual and gender identity and a set of recommended best practices to further support legal professionals in their work.
Stay tuned in the coming year for additional training modules covering areas of substantive law impacting trans and gender-diverse clients, and recommended practices for firms and legal employers.
Quotes
“In today’s climate, where there are increasing attempts to roll back even modest gains in trans rights and inclusion, this training is more vital than ever. Legal professionals have a responsibility to treat all clients fairly and uphold the principles of justice for everyone. This training provides them with the tools to do just that. This is about empowering legal practitioners to be proactive allies and advocates for justice.”
- Lee Nevens, CBA Gender Diversity Advisory Group Chair and CBABC President
“This training provides a unique opportunity for legal professionals to learn directly from members of the trans and gender-diverse communities about the challenges they face and the support they need. By centring the voices and experiences of those most affected, Trans Module 101 helps ensure our profession is better equipped to deliver justice that is truly inclusive and equitable.”
- Lynne Vicars, CBA President
“During my term as CBA President, I made it a priority to address the inequalities and discrimination experienced by trans, non-binary and gender diverse people in Canada. I’m happy to see this training being launched today, as I see it as an important step towards upholding our duty to defend and protect the rights of everyone in our society, especially the most disadvantaged people with the greatest need.”
- Steeves Bujold, past CBA President (2022-2023)
Quick Facts
- Trans Module 101 – Understanding Gender Diversity and Inclusion is presented by members of the CBA Gender Diversity Advisory Group.
- This new training module responds to recommendations from the CBA’s Access to Justice for Trans People Report regarding training for actors in the legal system on trans identity.
- The training module will help legal professionals get more knowledge on sexual and gender diversity terminology, the systemic barriers that trans and gender-diverse people face in society and in the legal system and on how discrimination limits access to legal and social services. They will also learn practical steps they can take to create safer, more inclusive spaces.
- This module is complemented by a newly developed infographic on sexual and gender identity and a set of recommended best practices to further support legal professionals in their work.
- The training module is available for free on the CBA website.
Related links
Trans Module 101 – Understanding Gender Diversity and Inclusion
Access to Justice for Trans People Report
About the Canadian Bar Association
The CBA is dedicated to support the rule of law and improvement in the law and the administration of justice. Some 40,000 lawyers, judges, notaries in Quebec, judges, law teachers and law students from across Canada are members.