Finally.... It's about time. I actually know one of the people mentioned in this newsstory. Canada This appointment hardly made the news in the province (Manitoba) where it happened. Hopefully, this sort of thing will become commonplace. I find there is still a fair bit of prejudice against transgender in certain areas of Canada. This may sound strange, but the TV show Amazing Race Canada has done a lot to make homophobes here change their minds. Last season there were gay brothers on who were so loveable and easy to cheer for and a transgender man with his wife who were very popular with the public.
I remember it being on the CBC Manitoba page down at the bottom. I honestly don't most people consider it news. Judges are appointed all the time. News companies like controversial stories. However I dont think anyone finds it terribly controversial here. I would say they needn't bother even make a news story but I suppose it does show other transgendered people that they could do whatever they want as long as they got the credentials.
“I thought my career was over,” Mr. McKenzie said. “I thought this was too big of a deal and people were going to be uncomfortable, not refer me clients, or clients would leave me, … but not one of the fears turned out to be true.” We all would kill to say this after a transition... But it's Canada after all, you guys have a reputation.
Appointments to lower courts are rarely newsworthy, but this is a nice symbol. I wish him all the best. The legal community of any country tends to be a small world, particularly among advocates before the courts, despite the enormous importance of the profession and the law's ability to shape societies. The article mentioned that he changed the mind of a homophobic (and presumably transphobic) colleague merely by associating with her, so hopefully this will not just symbolise cultural change, but push it forward even more.
That's awesome! I hope that means that transgender rights will expand in Canada. I hope that trend moves to the United States as well!
While I feel the US wil always be behind, I hope Canada takes the initiative with this sort of thing, then the US might do it a decade later like with marriage equality.