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tyresiasJanuary 2005
URGENT: A Kingston, ON transman needs your help!
I have suffered discrimination based on my sexual orientation and gender identity at KFL&A Public Health for the two years I have worked there. I have been pleasant, patient, guiding, and nurturing toward management and colleagues, trying to assure them that, yes, my human right to a safe workplace does exist. Management has lied to me, tried to placate me, and ultimately, it seems they wish I would just disappear.
Yesterday, I filed a complaint with the Ontario Human Rights Commission, and they say I may have a case. Starting today, I am on short term disability because of the stress I have endured, which has resulted in emotional and physical exhaustion. (I have felt this exhaustion for at least a year because of this struggle.) My boss is fully aware of both the reasoning behind, and this recent human rights complaint with Ontario.. She e-mailed my program department this afternoon the e-mail that follows. (FYI: I am female to male transsexual, am out at work, and she is well aware that I use male pronouns. This will show you what kind of slack I have been
dealing with.)
“Hello everyone,
It appears that Julian will be off on sick leave for two weeks. Would you please let me know what work you are likely to have for her, and we will look at arrangements for additional help.
Thanks.Kate”
This is what I need you to do. Please email or call my two bosses. (I work for two programs.) [A sample of what you could say/write follows this contact information.] They are:
Valerie Stenzl, Director of Adult Health at vstenzl@healthunit.on.ca 549-1232 x.123
Kate O’Connor, Director of PHRED at koconnor@healthunit.on.ca 549-1232 x.578
As well, you could also speak or write to Tony Button, Director of Administrative Services, who has been negligent on my behalf at tbutton@healthunit.on.ca 549-1232 x.265.
Also, there is the Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Ian Gemmill at igemmill@healthunit.on.ca 549-1232 x. 237.
These contacts can all be found at www.healthunit.on.ca. The toll free number is 1-800-267-7875.
My issue with KFL&A Public Health is not only my discomfort with feeling excluded and discriminated against as a homosexual and transsexual at work, but also with the fact that the programs and services they deliver are not inclusive of our minority population. We are not included in their resources, and certainly not in their media communications to the greater public. I keep telling them that there are GLBT people in Kingston, but they won’t believe me. I would appreciate you e-mailing or calling one or more of these people to show them that we are here, we are ‘queer’, and we are demanding our rights be met. The Ontario government mandates that we be included in KFL&A Public Health programs and services. As far as I can see, we are not. This is an idea of what you could send: (Please cc: me at jgregory@cogeco.ca so I know that I am well loved.)
“I am aware that Julian Gregory is on short term disability/stress leave because of dealing with ongoing discrimination at KFL&A Public Health, his place of work, due to his sexual orientation and gender identity. He deserves to have his human rights respected and met. I, as a [insert your sexual orientation/gender identity here], respect him fully. I also have public health care needs that matter.
[your name]
[your city], [your province]”
That way, especially if you live in Kingston (it doesn’t matter if you don’t) they will know that you, too, want your public health concerns dealt with. If you call them, let me know how it went via e-mail.
Here’s to committing ourselves to defend all peoples’ human rights, no matter what race, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or way we walk, talk, think, see or hear.
Peace. And thank you for taking the time to consider this. I already appreciate
your support.
Julian Gregory.
KFL&A Health Unit
221 Portsmouth Ave.
Kingston, ON K7M 1V5
(613) 549-1232 x549
jgregory@healthunit.on.ca
jgregory@cogeco.ca
*Please distribute widely.*
URGENT: A Kingston, ON transman needs your help!
I have suffered discrimination based on my sexual orientation and gender identity at KFL&A Public Health for the two years I have worked there. I have been pleasant, patient, guiding, and nurturing toward management and colleagues, trying to assure them that, yes, my human right to a safe workplace does exist. Management has lied to me, tried to placate me, and ultimately, it seems they wish I would just disappear.
Yesterday, I filed a complaint with the Ontario Human Rights Commission, and they say I may have a case. Starting today, I am on short term disability because of the stress I have endured, which has resulted in emotional and physical exhaustion. (I have felt this exhaustion for at least a year because of this struggle.) My boss is fully aware of both the reasoning behind, and this recent human rights complaint with Ontario.. She e-mailed my program department this afternoon the e-mail that follows. (FYI: I am female to male transsexual, am out at work, and she is well aware that I use male pronouns. This will show you what kind of slack I have been
dealing with.)
“Hello everyone,
It appears that Julian will be off on sick leave for two weeks. Would you please let me know what work you are likely to have for her, and we will look at arrangements for additional help.
Thanks.Kate”
This is what I need you to do. Please email or call my two bosses. (I work for two programs.) [A sample of what you could say/write follows this contact information.] They are:
Valerie Stenzl, Director of Adult Health at vstenzl@healthunit.on.ca 549-1232 x.123
Kate O’Connor, Director of PHRED at koconnor@healthunit.on.ca 549-1232 x.578
As well, you could also speak or write to Tony Button, Director of Administrative Services, who has been negligent on my behalf at tbutton@healthunit.on.ca 549-1232 x.265.
Also, there is the Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Ian Gemmill at igemmill@healthunit.on.ca 549-1232 x. 237.
These contacts can all be found at www.healthunit.on.ca. The toll free number is 1-800-267-7875.
My issue with KFL&A Public Health is not only my discomfort with feeling excluded and discriminated against as a homosexual and transsexual at work, but also with the fact that the programs and services they deliver are not inclusive of our minority population. We are not included in their resources, and certainly not in their media communications to the greater public. I keep telling them that there are GLBT people in Kingston, but they won’t believe me. I would appreciate you e-mailing or calling one or more of these people to show them that we are here, we are ‘queer’, and we are demanding our rights be met. The Ontario government mandates that we be included in KFL&A Public Health programs and services. As far as I can see, we are not. This is an idea of what you could send: (Please cc: me at jgregory@cogeco.ca so I know that I am well loved.)
“I am aware that Julian Gregory is on short term disability/stress leave because of dealing with ongoing discrimination at KFL&A Public Health, his place of work, due to his sexual orientation and gender identity. He deserves to have his human rights respected and met. I, as a [insert your sexual orientation/gender identity here], respect him fully. I also have public health care needs that matter.
[your name]
[your city], [your province]”
That way, especially if you live in Kingston (it doesn’t matter if you don’t) they will know that you, too, want your public health concerns dealt with. If you call them, let me know how it went via e-mail.
Here’s to committing ourselves to defend all peoples’ human rights, no matter what race, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or way we walk, talk, think, see or hear.
Peace. And thank you for taking the time to consider this. I already appreciate
your support.
Julian Gregory.
KFL&A Health Unit
221 Portsmouth Ave.
Kingston, ON K7M 1V5
(613) 549-1232 x549
jgregory@healthunit.on.ca
jgregory@cogeco.ca
*Please distribute widely.*
