Management at the Trails End Farmer’s Market in London, Ontario, is facing possible human-rights charges for telling a vendor she had to fire a transgendered employee because “those people” were ruining the market’s family friendly atmosphere.
Karen Clarke, owner of True 2 You, which sells candles and aromatherapy oils, left her stall at the Dundas Street market on a recent Saturday afternoon with Dani Dominick, a trans woman and one of her best workers, in charge. That evening, Clarke received a call from market manager Ed Kikkert, who told her, “if I was going to have ‘those people’ there anymore I’m invited to take my business elsewhere.”
Says Clarke:
“He said it made everyone uncomfortable and it just wasn’t right. This is a family place, a family market and this just isn’t right. I just kept insisting what happened that was wrong and he said you walk up to the person and they’re dressed like a woman and they’ve got big hands, a deep voice and tattoos and it’s just not right. It’s just not a family place he kept repeating that over and over again. And I kept trying to get from him what was wrong, what was so not right, what was it that people were complaining about and there was no details forthcoming that way. He called them ‘those people’ several times.”
“She was asked if she could not look after her booth, if she was not able, then she was asked to leave it because of the people she had running it. The issue was there was three men in that booth dressed up as women… I’m not discriminating at all. I’m just asking which washroom would they use? How can you go into a men’s washroom dressed as a lady, how can you go into ladies washroom when you’re a man. That’s the difficulty I have. If they go to the women’s washroom, they’re men so the women would get excited. If they go the men’s washroom the men would get excited because they’re dressed as women so which washroom would they use in my market? Would I have to have a third washroom?”
Does anyone else get the feeling that Kikkert is a little obsessed with washrooms?
Dominick is understandably upset about the whole situation.
“This has destroyed me, it’s pushed me back in my shell. The last couple of weeks, I’ve been depressed… I feel responsible for this. It hits home and for everything she’s done for me, and to have this happen to her. It just rips me apart. Because of this, having me work for her has pretty much destroyed the business she had there.”
Clarke says she’ll never return to Trail’s End and, since the incident, a petition has been created to encourage others to boycott the venue. We’d never do business there now but it’s a shame the other vendors will have to suffer because of a few rotten apples at the top.
Via AM980
Little Kiwi
Excellent. For those who dont’ known, London Ontario is “one of those cities”, in Canada.
“white trash with money” – some like to say. It’s a university town. think “Lanford” from “Roseanne” – poor and working class and then the WASP-snobs.
here’s the good news – it’s Canada. LGBT people have full and total rights, freedoms and protections. This was an ugly situation, but the law is on “our” side.
We have a genital-obsessed bigotty-nitwit worried about “people getting excited in washrooms” in a country that will not side with him nor agree with his bogus prejudices.
How making single-stall gender-neutral public bathrooms already? I mean, COME ON.
Good luck, bigots – Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms will always be there to prove you wrong and put you in your place.
ron
“Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms will always be there to prove you wrong”
The Charter “proves” nothing. It is purely a legal document that can be changed any time.
The transgendered are not covered under the federal Charter.
This may be a “rights violation” under Ontario law only.
However, this also may be a precedent setting case where private property owners fight back and re-win THEIR rights.
Little Kiwi
Um….are you Canadian?
Little Kiwi
and it’s doubtful – Canada’s cultural climate is too progressive. this will not turn into “bigots getting their rights to discriminate back” but rather a more explicit outline of protections for Transpeople.
this won’t fly in Ontario. At all.
CaliberGuy
If I have to hear another bathroom obsessed excuse from another anti-trans person I think i’m going to start screaming! I mean really what is so hard about letting them use the bathroom of the sex they are(identified as) its not that complicated. That and I mean you would think from the way they talk that there has never ever been a such thing as a unisex bathroom! I mean really there are many many business (and colleges) with unisex bathrooms, its not that complicated and then bingo bingo your bathroom obsession is solved!!
ron
“what is so hard about letting them use the bathroom of the sex they are(identified as)”
Last year in Canada, we suffered the horrific murderous crime spree of a cross dresser named Russell Williams. That is the worst case scenario that can come of this type of social engineering.
Little Kiwi
If you can’t understand that there are more than two genders, then go out and educate yourself because you’re ignorant of facts.
If you can’t understand the difference between gender and sex, then go out and educate yourself because you’re ignorant of facts.
If you can’t understand the difference between a transgendered person and a ‘cross-dresser’ then go out and educate yourself because you’re ignorant of facts.
seriously. it’s 2011. this is the digital age. there’s simply no excuse to now know shit.
i literally have no idea why you’re mentioning Russell Williams, “ron” – seriously.
are you just one more right-wing idiot plant?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_Williams
Little Kiwi
ron must be a plant/troll
he’s now talking about “russell williams” – a canadian military colonel who murdered many women and wore the undergarments he stole from them while masturbating.
if you can’t understand the difference between him and a person who is transgendered then you’re a complete moron who should therefore be ignored.
ron
How does society differentiate between a “transgender” and a pervert in a dress who wants access to the women’s bath room? Are we just supposed to take their word for it? Gender roles exist for good reason.
Little Kiwi
ron, i get it. you’re a right wing troll/plant. thanks for proving me right.
simple: there was no pervert in a dress. there was a man who kidnapped women, and then wore their panties while masturbating over their dead bodies.
if you can’t see how that’s different from a transgendered person then you’re an idiot who should therefore be ignored.
and i highly suggest that you never set foot in the province of Quebec. Many establishments in Quebec have unisex bathrooms. you’ll be peeing, and ladies will be walking behind you to get to their stalls.
but thanks for proving me right.
ron
Former Quebec resident here, so don’t lecture me. There are only two genders among humans. Everything else is psychobabble and liberal social engineering. Canada elected a Conservative majority because it has had enough of loony leftism.
Little Kiwi
there are more than two genders. that’s a fact. you can’t “disagree” with a fact. you don’t know that sex and gender are not the same thing.
there are more than two genders, and biologically there are even more than two sexes.
we get it. you’re a right-wing plant/troll who doesn’t know what he’s talking about. thanks for proving me right. we can all get back to ignoring you now. thanks.
ron
“biologically there are even more than two sexes”
Not among homo sapiens. Male and female are the only human genders.
Dig up a deceased “transgendered” bones and tell me how you can tell they were “transgendered” when they were alive. Gender among humans is dictated by the XX or XY chromosomes…everything else is mental illness.
Little Kiwi
that’s factually incorrect. there are biological hermaphrodites and gender-neutrals born every day. but feel free to keep proving me right by posting more comments in which you have no idea what you’re talking about.
Fisher
FYI ron, they’ve located the gene that’s responsible for transgendered individuals. And while you’re at it spewing hate, look up Tuner’s syndrom. So, biologically, yes, there are more than two genders in homosapiens. Pick up a sexuality book before you decide to go out and make yourself look like a fool.
Little Kiwi
that’s factually incorrect. there are biological hermaphrodites and gender-neutrals born every day. but feel free to keep proving me right by posting more comments in which you have no idea what you’re talking about.
sex is biological. gender is a social construct. you don’t know what you’re talking about. keep proving me right.
Little Kiwi
sex and gender are not the same thing. there are more than two genders. there are more than two sexes.
to say otherwise is to simply reveal that you don’t have any idea what you’re talking about.
ron
How can there be a gene for a “social construct”. You liberals can’t even keep your lies straight. By the way, hermaphroditism is NOT a gender…it’s a physical deformity. Shows your ignorance once again. And there is NO gene for for transgenderism. It is a mental illness.
Little Kiwi
i never said hermaphrodites are a gender. i said they’re a sex. which they are.
once again, you prove me right.
you’re a rightwing bigot/plant/troll who doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
you likely have a sixth-grade education and a truck full of Waco pamphlets.
Little Kiwi
ron, i don’t know any straight guys that spend their time on queer-themed sites talking smack. they’re too busy being, you know, straight.
ten bucks says you’re whacking furiously with one hand while you read all of these 😀
ron
Hermaphrodites are deformed and are not even the issue here. Gender is determined by chromosomes, not “feelings”, and no matter how much liberals scream otherwise, doesn’t make it so.
You still haven’t answered how to determine the gender of 1000 years old bones. Let me guess…but the shoes they were found with, right?
Little Kiwi
i don’t know how else to explain to you that you clearly don’t understand that SEX and GENDER are not the same thing.
best of luck being on the losing end of history.
tah-tah!
ron
Typical liberal. Facts aren’t your forte, so call names and run away because your arguments can’t hold up to scrutiny. No amount of surgery, hormones or liberal brainwashing can ever change one’s gender. And employers should have a right to dictate appearance on the job.
ron
and who said I’m straight?
Michael
@ron:
No they shouldn’t especially when its a persons sexual identity otherwise that is considered discrimination.
Little Kiwi
You keep confusing Sex and Gender. Over and over again. Keep it up.
ron
Sex is an act. Gender is a physical and psychological identity. When physical and psychological gender identities don’t match, that is Gender Identity Disorder – a mental illness. No amount of surgery or hormones will ever change one’s physical gender EVER.
Little Kiwi
Sex is not an act. Sexual intercourse is an act. SEX is not. SEX and GENDER are not the same thing.
Keep posting. You’re making me look like a genius.
Hyhybt
Nice of this guy to make such an incriminating public defense.
Michael
@ron:
Gender Identity Disorder is not a mental illness.What an incredibly ignorant thing to say.
Chaz Bono used to be Chastity Bono have you never heard of some people who were born into the wrong skin? Well thats how Chaz felt some people are born into the wrong bodies think about how hard that must be for people who don’t even know who they are or what gender they are.Do you actually think it is easy for these people? They get persecuted enough as it is and don’t deserve it.
Chaz is very happy now and he didnt used to be he’s now in the body that he always knew he belonged in.Be happy for him and people like him .It is mental to have that kind of hate against those who are like Chaz that is definitely not normal sorry to say.
Michael
This is appalling and sad all at the same time.Ive always been in the mindset that normal is so boring and overrated different is far more interesting intriguing and fascinating to me.I love that.
ron
“Sex is not an act” – A quote from a liberal genius.
Try running a business when your employees show up wearing whatever they want. Let them invite their friends into employee areas. Let them do whatever they want and scream “discrimination” when challenged. See how long you you last in business.
Michael
@ron:
Most business have guidelines this is true.BUT that does not include what a persons gender is their sexual orientation their race nationality creed or color.As I said before any of these things in this country are against the law and discrimination people can lose their jobs and be fired for it as well.
Discriminatory Practices
II. What Discriminatory Practices Are Prohibited by These Laws? Under Title VII, the ADA, GINA, and the ADEA, it is illegal to discriminate in any aspect of employment, including:
* hiring and firing;
* compensation, assignment, or classification of employees;
* transfer, promotion, layoff, or recall;
* job advertisements;
* recruitment;
* testing;
* use of company facilities;
* training and apprenticeship programs;
* fringe benefits;
* pay, retirement plans, and disability leave; or
* other terms and conditions of employment.
Discriminatory practices under these laws also include:
* harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, or age;
* retaliation against an individual for filing a charge of discrimination, participating in an investigation, or opposing discriminatory practices;
* employment decisions based on stereotypes or assumptions about the abilities, traits, or performance of individuals of a certain sex, race, age, religion, or ethnic group, or individuals with disabilities, or based on myths or assumptions about an individual’s genetic information; and
* denying employment opportunities to a person because of marriage to, or association with, an individual of a particular race, religion, national origin, or an individual with a disability. Title VII also prohibits discrimination because of participation in schools or places of worship associated with a particular racial, ethnic, or religious group.
The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (CSRA) contains a number of prohibitions, known as prohibited personnel practices, which are designed to promote overall fairness in federal personnel actions. 5 U.S.C. 2302. The CSRA prohibits any employee who has authority to take certain personnel actions from discriminating for or against employees or applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age or disability. It also provides that certain personnel actions can not be based on attributes or conduct that do not adversely affect employee performance, such as marital status and political affiliation. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has interpreted the prohibition of discrimination based on conduct to include discrimination based on sexual orientation. The CSRA also prohibits reprisal against federal employees or applicants for whistle-blowing, or for exercising an appeal, complaint, or grievance right. The CSRA is enforced by both the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) and the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB).
ron
Transgendered people cannot be fired in Ontario solely for being who they are. This was a case of a transgender person inviting other transgendered friends behind the counter, and creating a scene which disrupted the business environment. Have you ever encountered a clerk who was too busy conversing with their friends to be bothered with you? It is extremely unprofessional.
Hyhybt
@Michael: Perhaps a foolish question, but why are you describing in depth ,b.United States law?
Hyhybt
@Michael: Perhaps a foolish question, but why are you describing in depth United States law?
Michael
@ron:
Management at the Trails End Farmer’s Market in London, Ontario, is facing possible human-rights charges for telling a vendor she had to fire a transgendered employee because “those people” were ruining the market’s family friendly atmosphere.
This is the part I took from the article the most.How is it not discrimination when this woman refers to this transgendered individual and their friends as ” those people”.
If you look closely you can see the context in which she used those words they were not kind nor friendly.She meant it exactly the way it was intended .
That evening, Clarke received a call from market manager Ed Kikkert, who told her, “if I was going to have ‘those people’ there anymore I’m invited to take my business elsewhere.”
Says Clarke:
“He said it made everyone uncomfortable and it just wasn’t right. This is a family place, a family market and this just isn’t right. I just kept insisting what happened that was wrong and he said you walk up to the person and they’re dressed like a woman and they’ve got big hands, a deep voice and tattoos and it’s just not right. It’s just not a family place he kept repeating that over and over again. And I kept trying to get from him what was wrong, what was so not right, what was it that people were complaining about and there was no details forthcoming that way. He called them ‘those people’ several times.”
^^^Then there is this comment from the market manager. This is clearly discrimination at work and the fact that Clarke gave into the discrimination makes her just as bad as the one who said those comments.
Michael
@Hyhybt:
My apologies for not being clear I only used these laws as an example of what people can be held accountable for in the workplace.It’s clear what is and is not considered Discrimination in this country and discriminating against someones sexual orientation sexual identity or gender is clearly discrimination in the workplace.
doug105
@ron
Going on about Russell Williams and the trangendered, Is diffent from a rightwinger going on about Jeffrey Dahmer and being gay how again ?
milhouse
Call me crazy, but I don’t think men dressed up in women’s clothing should be hanging out in the ladies room. I’ll never forget that scene in Silence of the Lambs where he made an outfit of the woman’s skin. Creepy stuff.
Hyhybt
@Michael: Got it; sorry. It’s just that US law doesn’t cover this kind of discrimination, and Canadian law does.
@Michael: Choosing to take your business somewhere it’s wanted (in *addition* to suing the old place) is giving in? Giving in would be firing the transgendered employee.
Michael
@Hyhybt:
But didnt she fire the transgendered employee? At least I thought she did anyways.
That’s what I meant by her giving in.
Are you serious? That sucks then the US should be holding this kind of discrimination accountable just as much as Canada does.
Ruhlmann
@Little Kiwi: London, Ontario “The Forest City” is a nice little town full of progressive intelligent people who are straight and LGBT. It has a high standard of living and very low crime rate. You compare it to a sitcom university town? That makes no sense. In 1974 the Homophile Association London Ontario had an official opening which was attended by the Mayor, Fire and Police officials. The guy claiming to speak for people who complained will be found in virtualy every town in the world. Consigning an entire town to the trash heap because there are those who still have a bug up the ass where LGBT are concerned is ignorance crowed as something “known”. Educate yourself.
todd
@ron: I thought Little Kiwi was being a little harsh on you until you said gender roles exist for a reason. Gender roles and sexuality are different deals. A transsexual identifies with the opposite gender, while a transvestite COULD be said to dress in opposite gender clothes for arousal and stimulation. So if Dani was a transsexual than she is not a tranvestite and IS assuming her correct gender role that she identifies with (in otherowrds it’s the lady’s room for her.) Russel found arousal from wearing his victims clothes because he wanted control of them, much like rape is mostly proven to be about control. He didn’t dress to thrill in designer clothes, he dressed in the clothes of his conquests. So gender identity is different than sexual arousal through cross dressing. Want good example? Go see Silence of the Lambs and then see Priscilla Queen of the Desert. And for god’s sake go see a LGBT cneter as they could break down the medical aspects of transgender, transsvetitism, just plain Drag.
Bruce
This farmer market “trails End” is not even in the city of London, Ontario.
Kate
@ron you make me sick. I wish I had the patience that the others have displayed to explain to you exactly why your igrorance of not only social and political rights but bioloigical facts, is so abhorrent, but I don’t. Just know that people such as yourself make the world a much worse and more dangerous place. Another small fac that you have allowed yourself to conveniently ignore is that violence that occurs in washrooms involving trans people are far more often the result of biggots like yourself doing harm to innocent trans individuals as opposed to the other way around.
Colin
Ron, are you lonely?
Do you need someone to pay attention to you? Are you a masochist and just like punishment? Or are you just a deeply closeted, disturbed homosexual looking for some way out of their own skin?
Regardless of the above, why the hell is someone so obviously against the LGBT community posting on this website? Clearly you have no social skills or you’d be able to get attention while being a normal, decent human being. If you don’t agree with it, don’t read it. Don’t start spewing ignorant, Christofascist far-right bullshit.
We keep off of your gun rights and cousin-lovin’ websites, please keep off of ours.
Fucking redneck.
Kiss Kiss,
The rest of us.
Zoe Brain
@ron:
A 46,XY mother who developed as a normal woman underwent spontaneous puberty, reached menarche, menstruated regularly, experienced two unassisted pregnancies, and gave birth to a 46,XY daughter with complete gonadal dysgenesis. — J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008 Jan;93(1):182-9.
1 in 300 men don’t have XY chromosomes. 1 in 650 women aren’t XX.
So much for that idea.
In some parts of the world, the 5ARD or 17BHDD mutations that cause a natural sex change from female to male in humans are more common than the CCR1 mutation that causes red hair. Other syndromes exist such as 3BHDD that can cause sex reversal in either direction.
See for example:
Gender change in 46,XY persons with 5alpha-reductase-2 deficiency and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-3 deficiency. Cohen-Kettenis PT. Arch Sex Behav. 2005 Aug;34(4):399-410.
I know you weren’t taught these things in school. That’s not really your fault, it’s the fault of an education system based more on the Bible than Biology.
The Prophet Daniel
@Zoe Brain: I effin love you!!!