Vancouver trans advocate wins human rights complaint

A Vancouver trans advocate has won at the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal in her complaint against a self-described Christian activist who distributed flyers condemning her transgenderidentity.

Morgane Ogerlaunched the complaint againstWilliam Whatcottin 2017. At the time, Oger was running asthe NDP candidate in the Vancouver-False Creek riding.

In the judgment, the tribunal panel said Whatcottcreated a flyer campaign targeting Ogersolelyon the basis she was a transgender woman and "therefore, in his view, unsuitable to hold public office."

The flyer purportedto reveal Oger's male birth name and an old photograph. It disparaged her transgender identity, using derogatory and graphic language.

Constant 'sniping'

Ogertold CBC'sOn The Coasthost Gloria Macarenkoit had been a monumental but difficult process.

"This has been two years of fighting over details, misspeaking, and the other side constantly sniping at me not only through the tribunal but in social media and in videos as well," Oger said.

"[It was] awful."

The flyer alsoexpressed concerns about "the promotion and growth of homosexuality and transvestitism in British Columbia and how it's obscuring the immutable truth about our God-given gender."

Whatcott distributed his flyer nearly 1,500 copieson street corners, taped them to doors, and put them in mailboxes in Oger's riding. He also posted the flyer online, and told the tribunal upwards of 10,000 people saw the flyer.

Ogerlost the election.

'Improper conduct'

In a decision released Wednesday, the tribunal found Whatcott'spublic commentary about Ogerimproper and in violation of the B.C. Human Rights Code.

"A reasonable person, aware of the context and circumstances, would view the flyer as likely to expose Ms. Oger and transgender people to detestation and vilification based on their gender identity," the panel wrote.

"It drew on the most insidious stereotypes and myths about transgender people and called on the electorate to conclude that Ms. Oger was, by sole virtue of her gender identity, unsuitable for public office."

It also noted Whatcottengaged in improper conduct during the course of the complaint. He wore a t-shirtdisparaging Oger's identity during the hearing, and deliberatelyreferred to her as maleduring the proceedings even when ordered by the tribunal to stop.

The tribunal ordered Whatcott pay $35,000to Oger for injury to her dignity, andanother $20,000 for costs for his improper conduct.

CBC was unable to reach Whatcott for comment.