Amanda Wilson knows that she appears masculine but, as a 67-year-old transgender woman, she said that there is very little she can do about it.
Wilson is speaking out to quell fears and address the misinformation and transphobia that spread around Vernon after two teenage girls reported that they allegedly saw a person with male genitals using the women害羞草研究所檚 change room. After speaking with the recreation centre害羞草研究所檚 management staff and judging by when the allegations were made, Wilson suspects that she is the woman that the teens saw.
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In an interview with Black Press Media, Wilson said that she does not have male genitalia and did not intend to scare anyone. Further, she said that the two girls likely never even saw her naked. Wilson said that she has female anatomy including breast tissue growth, and underwent gender-affirming genital reconstruction surgery more than a decade ago.
害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 frustrating that I can害羞草研究所檛 do anything because I am so masculine. I don害羞草研究所檛 want to make people feel uncomfortable,害羞草研究所� she said.
The allegations made by the two girls sparked public uproar that spanned from online forums to a meeting. Vernon RCMP were unaware of any incident.
Since the allegations were made in early February, Wilson and the transgender community in Vernon have received threats and have been subject to hate speech online, which Black Press Media has obtained.
害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 afraid of other trans people being victims of violence.害羞草研究所�
During the time that she was working out at the Vernon Recreational and Aquatic Centre, Wilson said shes had conversations with management and staff have always been supportive. However, she has since switched to another gym.
In a statement to Black Press Media, Vernon city communications manager Carolyn Baldridge said that the city remains dedicated to providing inclusive spaces for everyone.
害羞草研究所淭he city is sad to hear that the woman is afraid to return to the aquatic centre,害羞草研究所� said Baldridge. 害羞草研究所淭he City of Vernon Recreation Services is committed to the safety of all users.害羞草研究所�
Wilson said that from a young age, she knew that she was a woman but did not transition until later in life. She served in the Canadian military for many years before being injured in the line of duty 害羞草研究所� a career she shares a lot of pride for. Since then, she said that she has endured a lot of pain in order to have female genital anatomy, including reconstruction surgery 13 years ago.
Even though she is legally female, Wilson acknowledges that she has masculine features that she cannot change 害羞草研究所� she stands 6-foot-two inches tall and weighs 300 pounds.
害羞草研究所淭he blueprint is there,害羞草研究所� Wilson said.
害羞草研究所淯nfortunately, when we害羞草研究所檙e born we don害羞草研究所檛 get to choose what sex we are. I害羞草研究所檓 a woman and I害羞草研究所檝e always been a woman害羞草研究所� I wouldn害羞草研究所檛 wish anyone to be transgender.害羞草研究所�
As a sexual assault survivor, Wilson said she can understand how masculinity can trigger fear in a space as vulnerable as a change room. However, she believes she has just as much right to use the space as any other woman and doesn害羞草研究所檛 use private rooms.
害羞草研究所淚t makes me feel like a second-class woman,害羞草研究所� Wilson said. 害羞草研究所淭he fact that I害羞草研究所檓 trans overrides all the other good things that I害羞草研究所檝e done.害羞草研究所�
Slated to be completed by fall 2026, Vernon害羞草研究所檚 new Rec Centre is expected to feature universal spaces, including gender-neutral change rooms.
Darrien McWatters, the vice president for Advocacy Canada, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering unity and amplifying the voices of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies, said that from her perspective as a transgender woman, inclusive change rooms are incredibly important for people害羞草研究所檚 safety and comfort.
McWatters said that she has also struggled with navigating safety regarding change rooms before going swimming. Early in her journey of gender affirmation and prior to undergoing surgery, McWatters felt as though she didn害羞草研究所檛 fit into either change room option at her local swimming pool in Summerland.
害羞草研究所淎s a trans woman, I didn害羞草研究所檛 want to draw attention to myself,害羞草研究所� McWatters said. 害羞草研究所淚 didn害羞草研究所檛 feel comfortable in either change room.害羞草研究所�
At the time, she spoke with management and a private change room was created. However, McWatters said that people who do not fit societal norms of gender expression should not be forced to take matters into their own hands and have to self-advocate for a safe space to change.
Wilson wants all people to be active and enjoy life, and is hoping gender-neutral change rooms become the standard so all people can live without fear or judgement.
害羞草研究所淚 don害羞草研究所檛 need people to accept me with open arms, I just need them to have the courtesy to let me live my life. I害羞草研究所檓 not asking a lot.害羞草研究所�
READ MORE: 害羞草研究所楽tudents are worth it害羞草研究所�: B.C. teachers stand by SOGI amid threats
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