June 17, 2010 - Newfoundland Government denies direct Human Rights inclusion to transsexuals

Despite calls from me and many others, the Newfoundland Government's Department of Justice has refused to add 'gender identity' and 'gender expression' to the newly-formed Human Rights Act (which is an amendment to the old 1996 Human Rights Code), which has been posted here and is scheduled to be formally proclaimed within the next month:

New Human Rights Act of Newfoundland

On the contrary, however, they have added protection to ex-cons and other groups that they perceive to be more worthy of protection. Granting human rights protection to transpeople has become a frequent occurrence among many jurisdictions in the USA, Europe, and many other places in the world. Sadly, Canadian jurisdictions continue to lag behind, and Newfoundland seems quite happy to carry on this sad Canadian tradition.

It's no secret that transpeople in Canada are among the most discriminated against demographic. My life has been no different, as since coming out publicly as trans, i have lost a job; failed to land another job at the same level despite over 30 job interviews; failed to gain access to health care funding for care that my doctors say that i need; struggled immensely to find a new rental apartment (last year it took 30 landlord until i finally found someone willing to rent to me). In addition, i have faced exclusion from various sporting bodies, had family and friends turn their back on me, and have faced constant verbal abuse from many resident's of Newfoundland.

Although adding protection to the Act for transpeople won't necessarily guarantee that such discriminatory acts will cease (as it can be very easy to cover up discrimination, yet be very hard to prove), at the very least, this would have been a serious step in the right direction in terms of swinging the pendulum in the right direction. Formal recognition by Government of our recognition as human beings who have rights would have sent a strong message to society that it is no longer appropriate to discriminate against transpeople. Sadly, this government failed to take advantage of this opportunity.

Now, on the contrary, the HRC has insisted that transgender matters can be technically complained about under the generic definition of sex, however, this is clearly not the same issue.

To prove my point, I actually filed a human rights complaint against our province's Medical Insurance Program (MCP) about 6 months ago, citing discrimination on the basis of sex, with regards to MCP's refusal to grant funding for a variety of care items that my doctors say that i need. MCP insists that since i am transsexual, I must jump thru several additional hoops, and that I must not get the care in Canada. Well, 6 months later, the HRC has resolve absolutely nothing.

Even worse, in Newfoundland Canada, transpeople are forced to undergo cruel and unusual scientific research experiments at Toronto's infamous Centre for Addictions and Mental Health, in order to be even considered for funding (which in approx 90% of cases, results in rejection and a label of being 'mentally ill').

What makes this sadly ironic, is that it was my very own colleagues within the Newfoundland Department of Justice who lead the Human Rights Code review process. I met directly with them and many others to explain the importance of this issue, and I am saddened that they have turned a blind eye to the trans community.

As everyone knows, the only job offer I have managed to score since legally changing my name to Jennifer in March 2008, is that of a temporary physical labour nature, interestingly enough, with the Department of Justice, where I spend most of my work time gathering, organizing, retrieving, and returning, government paperwork from boxes, shelving units, and other offices.

As great as it is to have any job, I didn't spend 5 years going to university to get a degree so that I could find myself earning barely enough to pay my rent but using my muscles. I have a brain, I have talent, I have 7 years of work experience at the analyst level, including 2 at the senior analyst level. It is a shame that nobody in this province seems willing to overlook the trans issue.

Oh well, I am going to keep my head up and continue to do whatever i can to prove that i am still just as capable as i ever was of high quality work. I will continue to be a model citizen, who does not drink, smoke or do drugs; who does not have a criminal record.. someone who is a model citizen in terms of health and fitness - as I will continue to run marathons... and someone who will continue to donate much of my free time for worthy causes including working with LGBT youth, giving seminars at local high schools and universities, giving time to local charities, including the Terry Fox cancer foundation and the Candace Sutherland run for hope. I will continue to pursue advocacy work in Pride settings, and through the media. I will continue to be the most open and out transsexual athlete in the entire world... and I will continue to sit on boards and committees, such as Canada Blood Services LGBTQ working group.. and I will overcome these discriminatory obstacles to prove that I can be a valuable member to any analyst team and become a model citizen that everyone looks up to and wants their kids to be like!

Jennifer

June 16, 2010 - challenging cats!

well, it was booster shot day for Danny the cat. it was also supposed to be booster shot day for Dasher the cat, but he totally refused to get into the cat carrying cage! Not even putting some treats in the cage was enough to entice Dash! Oh well, i'm going to have to come up with a plan B. Dasher is very sneaky and won't fall for the old tricks.. lol

meanwhile, a rather depressing week so far as i have not felt it suitable to do any running, given the stress my left foot has been under since being reassigned to a more physical role in the office.

Jenn

June 13, 2010 - decent long run

well, i've managed to squeeze in a couple of weekend long runs in a row, salvaging something positive out of the past 2 weeks which featured no weekday running, due to foot pain from my new physical labour job duties. 39k last sunday & a total of 43.2k this weekend, spanned
over 48 hours. these runs have actually been really good. maybe there is still hope!

the weather today was cold and foggy, which was great for running. i decided to give it an extra kick and see how it went. i managed to run a strong 12.1k in 68 minutes. then i had a break to refuel, then i was back out there running hard again. i hit the 21.1k mark at 2.03.23, which represents my best half marathon split since last september, when i ran an even 2 hours on the first half of the Newfoundland provincial marathon. i finished up at 27.2k in 2.41.23. i ran the entire 15.1k second set without a gatorade break, so i was slightly dehydrated, but managed to run strong. i decided to pack it in, rather than do a third set.

well, i may not run again until friday, but at least there is a long weekend ahead, so i am hoping to run 4 days in a row, including what i hope will be an even stronger 30k run in there on the sunday or monday.

Jenn

June 12, 2010 - rough week

it's been a tough week as i have battled a bad cold, which has sapped what little energy i seem to have these days. i managed to survive the work week, which is pretty much the only priority i have these days. so many other things in life i want to do but they were all pretty much on hold this week. i have many e-mails to catch up on, many bulletins to read, and many jobs i want to apply for... hoping to get caught up over the weekend. i had a sluggish 8k run friday night, which was my only run this week, since running 39k last sunday.

Jenn

June 6, 2010 - what the heck

well, i shouldn't be running on this bad foot, but i figured, what the heck? i've got a field trip on wednesday so that is sorta like a rest day from work, so i ran 39k this afternoon. including 8 laps around quidi vidi lake, where i saw two sets of baby duckies! very cute.. i also saw the infamous Goose, who was honking at some of the duckies.. lol then it was a visit to burton's pond on the way, where there is one mommy duck that has 11 babies! i also saw some of my favourite old familiar duckies. nothing like some old familiar quacking animal faces to cheer me up!

well, i hope i don't pay the price tomorrow for this run, but i actually don't feel too bad. i ran at a slightly slower than marathon pace, and took breaks to see the ducks, so i feel rather fresh. i ran i in about 4 hr 30 over a span of 5 hr 35.

well, it was 2 years ago this Tuesday that i was the runner up in the last ever Eastern Marathon in Portugal Cove, Newfoundland. i was literally in my athletic prime back then. i certainly hope that the day will come when i can get back to running at that level. i still think about that race every day. if i hadn't ran 100k the weekend prior, i can only wonder if on fresher legs, i could have held off ol' Mack to win that race. he stormed from behind to catch both me and Peter G. around the 31k mark, and he never looked back, beating me by a mere 4 minutes. ahh, the running memories.. lol

Jenn

June 5, 2010 - exhaustion

a very difficult week for me. i slept in til 2 pm today. then went out for a light walk to see the baby ducks at burton and kent pond, which was lovely. back home and took another nap. absolutely no energy today. looking forward to having a chat with one of my psychologists on monday in hopes that we can figure out a new plan to help resolve the many problems and challenges in my life.

meanwhile, i am sure it will be more of the same tomorrow, as i try to rest and recuperate.

Jenn

June 2, 2010 - running career on hold

well, it's been a disappointing week for me. My employer recently made some major modifications to my job duties - essentially changing it from a desk job to a physical labour job. i am now finding myself standing on my feet pretty much all day, where i am doing a great deal of bending, lifting, squatting, and climbing step ladders. doing this every day for just 2 weeks has already taken a major toll on my feet - even more so this week. bottom line, i'm lucky if i can manage to walk home at the end of the day, let alone even think about running.

needless to say, i am quite disappointed about both the change in job duties, and my inability to carry on with my running. i am now scrambling to find another job as soon as possible, as this current situation adds yet even more stress and aggravation to a life already full of challenges.

Jenn