Winnipeg transgender schoolgirl case heads to public hearing
Manitoba Human Rights Commission finds enough evidence of discrimination to proceed to hearing
Allegations that the River East Transcona School Division discriminated against transgender elementary school student Bella Burgos will go to a Manitoba Human Rights Commission public hearing, her father says.
The commission sent Dale Burgos an email saying staff believe there is enough evidence of discrimination to bring the case before an adjudicator and a public hearing, he said.
Dale Burgos says in 2014, Bella, then 8, was bullied by a parent at the school who told the transgender girl that she could not use the girls' washroom.
Burgos said the school division didn't do enough to help his daughter.
Burgos said at the time, River East Transcona told his daughter to use a gender neutral bathroom, which he said is unacceptable.
"Yes, it's just a bathroom, but it means so much more. Basically, the essence of using the bathroom, the gender bathroom that you identify with, that means that you're just accepted as who you are," Burgos said.
The family took its case to the Manitoba Human Rights Commission after going back and forth with the school division over a draft policy.
The fact the Human Rights Commission is taking this next step is vindication, Burgos said.
"Most importantly ... it definitely justifies it and it almost feels like we've got somebody on our side, and it's a good feeling."
Burgos hopes after the Commission presents findings from the public hearing there will be policy changes in school divisions across Manitoba to help other transgender students.
The River East Transcona School Division responded to a request for comment via email.
"River East Transcona is committed to making our schools a safe place for all students – and specific to this case – transgendered students. We're fully supportive of the process of a public hearing and we're committed to its findings," the email states.
The date for the public hearing has yet to be set.