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EXCLUSIVE: Woman speaks out after Vernon change room accusation

Transgender woman in Vernon accused of exposing teens to male genitalia in a public change room
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Amanda Wilson is a transgender woman in Vernon who was publicly accused of having male genitals after being seen in a public changeroom. She does not have male anatomy and despite her efforts, is acutely aware of the fact that she appears masculine. (Amanda Wilson/Submitted) Amanda Wilson is a transgender woman in Vernon was publicly accused of having male genitals after being seen in a public changeroom. She does not have male anatomy and despite accessing gender affirming care, is acutely aware of the fact that she appears masculine. (Amanda Wilson/Submitted)

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香蕉视频直播檚 change room. After speaking with the recreation centre香蕉视频直播檚 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.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 frustrating that I can香蕉视频直播檛 do anything because I am so masculine. I don香蕉视频直播檛 want to make people feel uncomfortable,香蕉视频直播 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.

香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 afraid of other trans people being victims of violence.香蕉视频直播

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.

香蕉视频直播淭he city is sad to hear that the woman is afraid to return to the aquatic centre,香蕉视频直播 said Baldridge. 香蕉视频直播淭he City of Vernon Recreation Services is committed to the safety of all users.香蕉视频直播

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 香蕉视频直播 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 香蕉视频直播 she stands 6-foot-two inches tall and weighs 300 pounds.

香蕉视频直播淭he blueprint is there,香蕉视频直播 Wilson said.

香蕉视频直播淯nfortunately, when we香蕉视频直播檙e born we don香蕉视频直播檛 get to choose what sex we are. I香蕉视频直播檓 a woman and I香蕉视频直播檝e always been a woman香蕉视频直播 I wouldn香蕉视频直播檛 wish anyone to be transgender.香蕉视频直播

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香蕉视频直播檛 use private rooms.

香蕉视频直播淚t makes me feel like a second-class woman,香蕉视频直播 Wilson said. 香蕉视频直播淭he fact that I香蕉视频直播檓 trans overrides all the other good things that I香蕉视频直播檝e done.香蕉视频直播

Slated to be completed by fall 2026, Vernon香蕉视频直播檚 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香蕉视频直播檚 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香蕉视频直播檛 fit into either change room option at her local swimming pool in Summerland.

香蕉视频直播淎s a trans woman, I didn香蕉视频直播檛 want to draw attention to myself,香蕉视频直播 McWatters said. 香蕉视频直播淚 didn香蕉视频直播檛 feel comfortable in either change room.香蕉视频直播

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.

香蕉视频直播淚 don香蕉视频直播檛 need people to accept me with open arms, I just need them to have the courtesy to let me live my life. I香蕉视频直播檓 not asking a lot.香蕉视频直播

READ MORE: 香蕉视频直播楽tudents are worth it香蕉视频直播: B.C. teachers stand by SOGI amid threats

READ MORE: Gender-affirming care for youth is lifesaving, say B.C. experts

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Jacqueline Gelineau

About the Author: Jacqueline Gelineau

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