Winnipeg transgender schoolgirl case heads to public hearing

Allegations that the River East Transcona School Division discriminated against transgenderelementary schoolstudentBella Burgoswill go to a Manitoba Human Rights Commission public hearing, her father says.

The commission sent Dale Burgos an email saying staffbelievethere is enough evidence of discrimination to bring the case before an adjudicator anda public hearing, he said.

Dale Burgos says in 2014, Bella, then 8, was bullied by a parent at the school who toldthe transgender girl thatshe could not use the girls' washroom.

Burgos said the school division didn't do enough to help his daughter.

• Winnipeg family says they're bullied because daughter is transgender

Burgos said at the time, River East Transconatold his daughter to use a gender neutral bathroom, which he said is unacceptable.

"Yes, it's just a bathroom, but it means so much more. Basically, the essence of using the bathroom, the gender bathroom that you identify with, that means that you're just accepted as who you are," Burgos said.

The family took its case to the Manitoba Human Rights Commission after going back and forth with the school division over a draftpolicy.

• Manitoba Human Rights Commission moves transgender girl's complaint to mediation

The fact the Human Rights Commission is taking this next step is vindication, Burgos said.

"Most importantly ... it definitely justifies it and it almost feels like we've got somebody on our side, and it's a good feeling."

Burgos hopes after the Commission presents findings from the public hearing there will be policy changes in school divisions across Manitoba to help other transgenderstudents.

The River East Transcona School Division responded to a request for comment viaemail.

"River East Transcona is committed to making our schools a safe place for all students and specific to this case transgendered students. We're fully supportive of the process of a public hearing and we're committed to its findings," the email states.

The date for the public hearing has yet to be set.