Update on the discrimination against Sudbury Trans Woman by the YWCA

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/story/2012/01/06/sby-ywca-human-rights-complaint.html

YWCA executive director Marlene Gorman said she can't comment on individual cases. But she said transgender women are not allowed in the shelter.

"Someone who identifies as a transgendered woman would be referred to another safe space,” she said.

Gorman said that policy is currently being reviewed "in terms of how we can best support transgendered women leaving violent situations.”

UGH. I am VERY disappointed in the YWCA now. Rly disappointed and angry. >:O They've always treated me very well, and I've never been told by them when I make use of any of their services or programs that they don't see trans women as women... the group therapy program I'm part of knows I'm trans, and in fact talks about trans women as women and the facilitators made it clear that we are. So... what the hell YWCA? >:O

So am I a woman sometimes only? I'm safe enough in some safe spaces but not others? -_-

I hope that their review of their policies involves consulting with the trans activist agencies and services offered in Ontario. For example, my job is to provide consultation for agencies who want to create trans positive and inclusive policies, but they'd need to want it, and I hope this incident and their "reviewing" (if they rly are) policies leads them to want to seek some help in changing their policies. :) I'd be really happy if they did.

I also have some other ppl to talk to now and see just how far this YWCA policy extends... is it just for that (and maybe some other) shelters or everything? >:|

RAWR >:O

I hope the HRC hears her complaint. I'm unsure if the Kimberly Nixon vs Vancouver Rape Relief case applies here (b/c that was about employment) but I hope it doesn't b/c the ruling by the judge who overturned the decision in her favour was disgusting (and the logic argued in that case that a reasonable trans woman would have known that she'd be excluded so should not have tried is ugh) but the ultimate decision was that VRR was too small to really hurt her dignity or the trans community, and as BS as that was, at least it shouldn't apply here b/c a) this is about her safety and not about "mere" employment and b) I doubt the YWCA would be considered "backwater" (the literal word used in the judgement) like VRR apparently was.

Ugh... I think she'll win, I just hope YWCA doesn't do the wrong thing and fight her every step of the way, and instead just backs off and re-evaluates their policies. There are services out there that will help them too if they want, make use of them (us... me... >_> )!!!

>:|

This is still so disgusting >:O

edit: The article only referred to her as "YWCA Executive Director" but I looked her up, she's only ED of that particular YWCA, so it's possible that it's just the policy of that shelter. I dunno how connected various shelters are under the YWCA umbrella (certain organizations are more arms length than others) but it would explain the disparity in what I've experienced myself, and it would also make it easier to change hopefully :)