The Halton District School Board (HDSB) sent a memo to staff saying it does not want to restrict what staff can wear because it could lead to the district being sued. .“Update on the biologically male @HaltonDSB teacher whose work ensemble channels the Japanese porn niche known as Bakunyu (爆乳 = ‘exploding milk’): HDSB now concludes that imposing a dress code would result in ‘considerable liability,’ esp in regard to ‘the transgender community,’” said Quillette associate editor Jonathan Kay in a Wednesday tweet. .This memo comes after Oakville Trafalgar High School in the HDSB supported a biological male teacher who wore large prosthetic breasts under revealing clothes in September. .READ MORE: Keeping abreast of Ontario teacher's transitioning from male to female.The teacher began identifying as a woman in 2021 and goes by the name Kayla Lemieux. .HDSB chair Margo Shuttleworth said the school board will protect the gender identity rights of employees, adding it's "the stance the school board is taking and they are standing behind the teacher.".HDSB superintendent of human resources Sari Taha and director of education Curtis Ennis said in the memo it is important to recognize the impact dress code policies can have on transgender people. .“It is clear from the above analysis the implementation of a formal staff dress code or grooming standards would likely expose the board to considerable liability,” said Taha and Ennis. .“Even if a dress code is implemented for non-discriminatory reasons, it would likely be found to be discriminatory where it adversely affects an employee or group of employees on the basis of their code-protected grounds.” .The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario notes an employer will have to be prepared to establish any sex-linked differences in its dress code are bona fide occupational requirements, or they will likely be found to be discriminatory. The memo said people should recognize the impact dress codes can have on transgender people. .Taha and Ennis said it is important for employers “to make allowances to ensure these employees are able to express themselves in accordance with their lived gender.”.They said dress codes should be gender neutral and impose similar standards and requirements for all employees, regardless of gender. .The HDSB requested Ennis provide information on potential implications arising from telling staff what to wear. .“Finally, and most importantly, we note if the employer desires to foster a culture of professionalism, respect, equity and inclusion, a truly reasonable and non-discriminatory dress code or grooming standards would most likely fail to yield the intended results,” said the executives. .A large crowd gathered at Oakville Trafalgar in September to protest the HDSB’s decision to stand behind Lemieux. .READ MORE: Hundreds protest Oakville teacher with gigantic breasts, Bernier to hold demo against 'pervert'.The crowd gathered as classes were let out, with a number of students joining the protest..Police units were called for crowd and traffic control and to secure the area. Officers were spotted on the school's roof with surveillance equipment.
The Halton District School Board (HDSB) sent a memo to staff saying it does not want to restrict what staff can wear because it could lead to the district being sued. .“Update on the biologically male @HaltonDSB teacher whose work ensemble channels the Japanese porn niche known as Bakunyu (爆乳 = ‘exploding milk’): HDSB now concludes that imposing a dress code would result in ‘considerable liability,’ esp in regard to ‘the transgender community,’” said Quillette associate editor Jonathan Kay in a Wednesday tweet. .This memo comes after Oakville Trafalgar High School in the HDSB supported a biological male teacher who wore large prosthetic breasts under revealing clothes in September. .READ MORE: Keeping abreast of Ontario teacher's transitioning from male to female.The teacher began identifying as a woman in 2021 and goes by the name Kayla Lemieux. .HDSB chair Margo Shuttleworth said the school board will protect the gender identity rights of employees, adding it's "the stance the school board is taking and they are standing behind the teacher.".HDSB superintendent of human resources Sari Taha and director of education Curtis Ennis said in the memo it is important to recognize the impact dress code policies can have on transgender people. .“It is clear from the above analysis the implementation of a formal staff dress code or grooming standards would likely expose the board to considerable liability,” said Taha and Ennis. .“Even if a dress code is implemented for non-discriminatory reasons, it would likely be found to be discriminatory where it adversely affects an employee or group of employees on the basis of their code-protected grounds.” .The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario notes an employer will have to be prepared to establish any sex-linked differences in its dress code are bona fide occupational requirements, or they will likely be found to be discriminatory. The memo said people should recognize the impact dress codes can have on transgender people. .Taha and Ennis said it is important for employers “to make allowances to ensure these employees are able to express themselves in accordance with their lived gender.”.They said dress codes should be gender neutral and impose similar standards and requirements for all employees, regardless of gender. .The HDSB requested Ennis provide information on potential implications arising from telling staff what to wear. .“Finally, and most importantly, we note if the employer desires to foster a culture of professionalism, respect, equity and inclusion, a truly reasonable and non-discriminatory dress code or grooming standards would most likely fail to yield the intended results,” said the executives. .A large crowd gathered at Oakville Trafalgar in September to protest the HDSB’s decision to stand behind Lemieux. .READ MORE: Hundreds protest Oakville teacher with gigantic breasts, Bernier to hold demo against 'pervert'.The crowd gathered as classes were let out, with a number of students joining the protest..Police units were called for crowd and traffic control and to secure the area. Officers were spotted on the school's roof with surveillance equipment.
