In an important ruling, the Alberta human rights tribunal dismissed a complaint from transgender woman Marni Panas against the Edmonton Police Service (EPS). While acknowledging that two officers misgendered Panas during a 911 call, tribunal member Sandra Badejo concluded the police acted appropriately to address a safety concern for Panas’s friend. Although the misgendering itself constituted discrimination, the swift action taken by the police was deemed reasonable in ensuring the friend’s safety.
Panas’s case involved a distressing scenario on April 11, 2019, when she initiated a safety check for her friend, who hadn’t returned from a date. Given the high risks faced by 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, Panas expressed concern when she could not reach her friend. During the emergency call, the dispatcher repeatedly referred to Panas as “sir,” even after she identified herself as a woman.
Former officer David Schening, who received the call, exhibited confusion regarding the nature of the safety check and erroneously assumed that Panas’s friend was involved in sex work. Throughout the call, he continued to misgender Panas, referring to her as “sir” and “buddy.” Ultimately, the tribunal recognized that despite these insensitivities, EPS officers effectively prioritized the welfare check, locating the missing friend within minutes.
Panas emphasized feeling harmed by the experience and noted the continuous challenges that transgender people face, often being misgendered in daily interactions. The tribunal highlighted that, despite some progress, transgender people remain highly marginalized, facing prejudice and stereotyping both socially and institutionally. The police department has since responded to the incident by implementing training focused on anti-bias and inclusive language for current and new staff members.
Expressing regret for the incident, EPS spokesperson Carolin Maran acknowledged the emotional impact on Panas and reiterated the service’s commitment to engaging with the 2SLGBTQ+ community for feedback on policies. Despite these measures, Panas, an inclusion specialist, felt shaken by the experience, fearing that emergency services may not take her complaints seriously in the future. She hinted at the possibility of seeking a judicial review of the tribunal’s dismissal of her complaint, feeling puzzled about the ruling.
The Alberta human rights tribunal dismissed Marni Panas’s complaint against EPS despite acknowledging misgendering during a 911 call. The police acted reasonably to locate her missing friend swiftly. Although the ruling highlighted discrimination, it also affirmed that the response was appropriate, leading to discussions about ongoing sensitivity training for emergency responders.
The tribunal found misgendering by police officers during a 911 call was discriminatory yet dismissed Marni Panas’s complaint because they responded appropriately to her safety concern. The ruling emphasizes the need for continued education and sensitivity training to prevent discrimination against transgender individuals during emergency interactions. Despite the dismissal, Panas considers the acknowledgment of misgendering a significant step towards accountability for organizations.
The Alberta human rights tribunal decision reflects ongoing societal issues regarding respect for gender identity and the treatment of transgender individuals within emergency response systems. Transgender individuals often face discrimination and misgendering, which affects their feeling of safety and acceptance in society. This incident highlights the vital need for proper training and sensitivity within police services, particularly towards the 2SLGBTQ+ community, to ensure that all individuals receive equitable treatment when seeking assistance.
Original Source: www.cbc.ca
