Articles 2021

In this article, the authors discuss the discriminatory impact of the Single Family Rule on the grounds of sexual orientation, the HRTO’s unsettled jurisdiction over the issue, and the broader implications for the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

We note the tragic events in Buffalo, Orange County, Uvalde, and too many more around the world, and recognize the importance of focusing on the unique life experiences of those who live and practice in the far too often precarious space where sexual and racial identity intersect. We note the ongoing struggles of the trans community, particularly those facing oppressive exclusionary laws.

Allow me to reintroduce you to Samantha Peters (she/her/they/them) – no stranger to the spotlight. Samantha, who proudly identifies as a black queer femme, was called to the bars of Alberta and Ontario in 2020. In that short time, she has made a palpable impact on the legal profession because of her innovative and rebellious approach to the practice of law and the seemingly fearless way in which she navigates the margins that contemporary Canadian society imposes on her intersecting identities.

This article summarizes two recent Human Rights Tribunal decisions that, for the first time, considered the issue of misgendering of gender non-conforming employees in the workplace as well as their employers' failure to address their complaints of discrimination seriously or at all. In addition to highlighting the Tribunals' key findings, the article also provides practical tips for organizations in light of these decisions.

SOGIC leaders tell us about the opportunities that involvement in this vital community offers lawyers today, and where they see the section making an impact – in the profession and in the advancement of equality – in the future.