A Canadian transgender woman, Jessica Yaniv, is facing another controversy after a gynecologist allegedly refused to see her, claiming they “don’t serve transgender patients.” This follows her earlier legal battles where her complaints against several beauticians in Vancouver were dismissed. Yaniv, 32, had filed complaints against estheticians who refused to perform a Brazilian bikini wax on her due to her male genitalia.
The court ruled last month that her complaints were “unjustified” and driven by financial motives. Yaniv had claimed that these beauticians were discriminating against her based on her gender identity. She sought damages from several businesses, alleging that they were unwilling to provide services, citing reasons like lack of training and religious beliefs. The court, however, dismissed her case, stating that service providers were not required to wax male genitals without proper consent or training.
After her waxing complaints were dismissed, Yaniv shared her experience on social media about being turned away by a gynecologist’s office. She was “shocked and confused” by their response. She questioned whether this was legal and if it went against the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia’s rules. In her tweet, she highlighted that gynecologists often deal with transgender and non-binary patients, particularly during transition stages.
In response, the College confirmed that the refusal was discrimination under the BC Human Rights Code. Yaniv, who has a significant following on Twitter, said she would file a formal complaint. This refusal, she argued, was an example of exclusion, something that transgender people regularly face in medical care.
Yaniv’s previous legal actions against beauticians also gained significant attention. The tribunal, after examining her case, criticized her for filing complaints with improper motives, including financial gain and targeting specific ethnic groups. She was ordered to pay a $6,000 fine for her actions. Despite this, Yaniv continues to advocate for LGBTQ rights and transgender equality.
