Transgender woman can apply for refugee status in Canada.

suebee · 08-19-2010, 10:04 PM

A transgendered Irish woman living in Nova Scotia has been deemed eligible to apply for refugee status, her lawyer says.

Tanya Bloomfield is originally from Ireland and has been in Canada since 2006. She said being transgendered will make her a target for hate if she is sent back to live in Europe.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia...#ixzz0x7CcC3Dj

Abigail Crabby · 08-19-2010, 10:05 PM

This is awesome to know....

How odd tho - it seems to be accepted everywhere.....

Except here - The Land of the Free (sic)

betenoire · 08-19-2010, 10:26 PM

I hope it works out for her, although I do find it difficult to believe that she would be subjected to more hate in Ireland than here.

AtLast · 08-19-2010, 10:29 PM

Interesting...

suebee · 08-19-2010, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by betenoire

I hope it works out for her, although I do find it difficult to believe that she would be subjected to more hate in Ireland than here.

By some of the comments on the news site I don't think you're the only one who questions this. I think we are often complacent in the privileges we enjoy here. I was talking to my neighbour just yesterday about the five years she and her husband spent in Scotland, and the common-place use of racial slurs she would hear in public (just as an example) - something we would pale at here. Maybe we just don't know how good we have it here in North America.

suebee · 08-20-2010, 08:25 AM

Bumpity bump.

Sabine Gallais · 08-20-2010, 08:46 AM

I wonder if she simply wanted to stay in Canada and found a way to do it more easily.

EnderD_503 · 08-20-2010, 09:24 AM

I find her story unlikely, personally, and I sincerely hope she is not just using her position as a transgender woman to skip the standard immigration process.

T D · 08-20-2010, 10:17 AM

We are spoiled beyond belief in this country. However we are also being herded into some sort of political/religous corral as well. While this is the land of the free, it also is NOT. Because if it were, we wouldn't be fighting for rights that are clearly being violated!!

Just sayin is all.

Have a good weekend and all that raz ma taz

firie · 08-20-2010, 01:16 PM

I think it's great. Thanks for posting, Sue. And I hope she does take full advantage of immigration law and political asylum to stay in a place SHE considers safe and beneficial, since she 's admired in NS. I feel fortunate to have her on this side of the globe considering already what she's doing for this north american community.

If you are part of an oppressed group, and one that is so hatefully targeted, that you statistically face hate crime at a higher rate than other groups--1 out of 3 chance to be murdered just here in the US--well, then I think "using" one's trans status to immigrate is a perfectly valid reason to ask for political asylum.

But I don't fear immigrants and I'm all for open borders because I have no issue sharing, and I certainly have no issue with this woman determining where it is she wants to live to feel safe and then using the law-something that's put in place to protect her-to do just that.

firie · 08-20-2010, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EnderD_503

I find her story unlikely, personally, and I sincerely hope she is not just using her position as a transgender woman to skip the standard immigration process.

Why? Given that Ireland is one the most conservative countries in th EU? Have you read anything about the country and how they basically afford no right to transgender people? Further, why do you care to take a stance of disbelief? I don't get it? Especially when she's benefiting your economy with a business, with diversity, and a heroine of the glbt community in your own country?

I just don't get your response to this at all.

Soon · 08-20-2010, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abigail Crabby

This is awesome to know....

How odd tho - it seems to be accepted everywhere.....

Except here - The Land of the Free (sic)

Abigail, I think only a minority of countries have protections for those who are trans and even those countries have a lot more to do when it comes to actual knowledge and acceptance of such issues.

------

I don't blame her for wanting to stay. She has been here since 2006 and was sponsored by her ex-partner. She has a business and is the director of Halifax Pride. If she can find a way to remain in a country where she feels comfortable and is her home, I don't begrudge her one bit for using whatever means available.

The immigration board has protocols to determine refugee status and they will be the ones to eventually decide if she meets the requirements. She'll either make the grade or not.

I wish her well; she seems like a valuable and contributing member of Canadian society.

suebee · 08-20-2010, 06:30 PM

I don't think we should hide in the comfortable thought that only "third world" countries discriminate against transgender people. Many countries that we think are like us are dangerous places for a TG person. The story doesn't say what stage this woman was when she came to Canada. She may have been living as a man in Ireland, or under Lord-knows what kind of precarious conditions.

Canada deals with immigrant applications every day. If Immigration has decided to look at her case they must have SOME indication that it's valid.

Let's not forget the threat our TG brothers and sisters live under every day - yes, even in Canada and the U.S.

08-19-2010, 10:04 PM	#1
suebee Member How Do You Identify?: TOWANDA! Preferred Pronoun?: Queen Bee Relationship Status: Good 'n married. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Eastern Canada. But if I make a wrong turn at the lights I get stopped by a border guard. Posts: 1,499 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,355 Thanked 2,756 Times in 820 Posts Rep Power: 16450092	Transgender woman can apply for refugee status in Canada. A transgendered Irish woman living in Nova Scotia has been deemed eligible to apply for refugee status, her lawyer says. Tanya Bloomfield is originally from Ireland and has been in Canada since 2006. She said being transgendered will make her a target for hate if she is sent back to live in Europe. Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia...#ixzz0x7CcC3Dj __________________ "Compassion, in which all ethics must take root, can only attain its full breadth and depth if it embraces all living creatures and does not limit itself to mankind." -Albert Schweitzer

08-19-2010, 10:05 PM	#2
Abigail Crabby Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Queer Femme Preferred Pronoun?: Princess Relationship Status: Single, but sociable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Mount Airy, NC Posts: 4,226 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 14,554 Thanked 9,668 Times in 2,484 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	This is awesome to know.... How odd tho - it seems to be accepted everywhere..... Except here - The Land of the Free (sic) __________________ Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. Marcel Proust Turns whatever happens to you into a positive...

08-19-2010, 10:26 PM	#3
betenoire Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Satan in a Sunday Hat Preferred Pronoun?: Maow Relationship Status: Married Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: The Chemical Valley Posts: 4,086 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 3,312 Thanked 8,740 Times in 2,566 Posts Rep Power: 21474856	I hope it works out for her, although I do find it difficult to believe that she would be subjected to more hate in Ireland than here. __________________ bête noire \bet-NWAHR\, noun: One that is particularly disliked or that is to be avoided.

08-20-2010, 08:25 AM	#6
suebee Member How Do You Identify?: TOWANDA! Preferred Pronoun?: Queen Bee Relationship Status: Good 'n married. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Eastern Canada. But if I make a wrong turn at the lights I get stopped by a border guard. Posts: 1,499 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,355 Thanked 2,756 Times in 820 Posts Rep Power: 16450092	*Bumpity bump.* __________________ "Compassion, in which all ethics must take root, can only attain its full breadth and depth if it embraces all living creatures and does not limit itself to mankind." -Albert Schweitzer

08-20-2010, 08:46 AM	#7
Sabine Gallais Junior Member How Do You Identify?: Adeodatus Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New York Posts: 43 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 6 Thanked 59 Times in 23 Posts Rep Power: 7871	I wonder if she simply wanted to stay in Canada and found a way to do it more easily. __________________ Meallan muilte Dé go mall ach meallan siad go mion.

08-19-2010, 10:29 PM	#4
AtLast Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Woman Preferred Pronoun?: HER - SHE Relationship Status: Relating Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: CA & AZ I'm a Snowbird Posts: 5,408 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 11,826 Thanked 10,827 Times in 3,199 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	Interesting...

08-20-2010, 09:24 AM	#8
EnderD_503 Member How Do You Identify?: Queer, trans guy, butch Preferred Pronoun?: Male pronouns Relationship Status: Relationship Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 1,329 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,090 Thanked 3,878 Times in 1,022 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	I find her story unlikely, personally, and I sincerely hope she is not just using her position as a transgender woman to skip the standard immigration process.

08-20-2010, 10:17 AM	#9
T D Member How Do You Identify?: Person of the trans variety Preferred Pronoun?: He, Sir, Bro, TD, Stevin Relationship Status: On occasion Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 1,165 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,428 Thanked 1,125 Times in 311 Posts Rep Power: 3570339	We are spoiled beyond belief in this country. However we are also being herded into some sort of political/religous corral as well. While this is the land of the free, it also is NOT. Because if it were, we wouldn't be fighting for rights that are clearly being violated!! Just sayin is all. Have a good weekend and all that raz ma taz __________________ “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

08-20-2010, 01:16 PM	#10
firie Timed Out How Do You Identify?: . Relationship Status: . Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: . Posts: 204 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 191 Thanked 469 Times in 128 Posts Rep Power: 0	I think it's great. Thanks for posting, Sue. And I hope she does take full advantage of immigration law and political asylum to stay in a place SHE considers safe and beneficial, since she 's admired in NS. I feel fortunate to have her on this side of the globe considering already what she's doing for this north american community. If you are part of an oppressed group, and one that is so hatefully targeted, that you statistically face hate crime at a higher rate than other groups--1 out of 3 chance to be murdered just here in the US--well, then I think "using" one's trans status to immigrate is a perfectly valid reason to ask for political asylum. But I don't fear immigrants and I'm all for open borders because I have no issue sharing, and I certainly have no issue with this woman determining where it is she wants to live to feel safe and then using the law-something that's put in place to protect her-to do just that.

08-20-2010, 06:30 PM	#13
suebee Member How Do You Identify?: TOWANDA! Preferred Pronoun?: Queen Bee Relationship Status: Good 'n married. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Eastern Canada. But if I make a wrong turn at the lights I get stopped by a border guard. Posts: 1,499 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,355 Thanked 2,756 Times in 820 Posts Rep Power: 16450092	I don't think we should hide in the comfortable thought that only "third world" countries discriminate against transgender people. Many countries that we think are like us are dangerous places for a TG person. The story doesn't say what stage this woman was when she came to Canada. She may have been living as a man in Ireland, or under Lord-knows what kind of precarious conditions. Canada deals with immigrant applications every day. If Immigration has decided to look at her case they must have SOME indication that it's valid. Let's not forget the threat our TG brothers and sisters live under every day - yes, even in Canada and the U.S. __________________ "Compassion, in which all ethics must take root, can only attain its full breadth and depth if it embraces all living creatures and does not limit itself to mankind." -Albert Schweitzer