Jessica Simpson, previously known as Jessica Yaniv, is a transgender activist from Canada who drew national attention in 2018 after filing a series of human rights complaints. These complaints were directed at several estheticians who declined to provide waxing services involving male genitalia, which they were not trained or equipped to handle.
Simpson had sought a Brazilian wax—typically performed on clients with female anatomy—but her requests involved procedures more aligned with a “manzilian” or “brozilian,” requiring different training. She maintained that the refusals were discriminatory based on her gender identity, seeking up to $15,000 in compensation from each of the service providers.
During the tribunal hearings, Simpson asserted that the rejections only occurred after she disclosed she was transgender. However, the tribunal ultimately ruled against her in 2019, concluding that the estheticians were within their rights to refuse services they weren’t qualified or comfortable performing. Simpson was ordered to pay $2,000 each to three of the women involved in the case. The ruling also highlighted concerns over Simpson’s conduct, noting a pattern of hostility toward various cultural and religious groups.
The individuals named in the complaints were largely home-based practitioners, many of whom were women from minority backgrounds with limited English proficiency. Several reported that the complaints led to the closure of their businesses, a consequence Simpson appeared to dismiss when questioned by the media.
Following this high-profile case, Simpson continued to file complaints across multiple sectors, including against beauty pageants, the RCMP, healthcare providers, and media outlets. In 2021, the Langley Fire Department issued a formal notice to Simpson after receiving over 30 non-emergency calls for assistance with tasks such as exiting a bathtub. The department also cited concerns about inappropriate behavior during their visits.
In response to the fire department’s warning, Simpson posted a now-deleted social media statement threatening legal action against the township.
Simpson was also involved in a separate complaint against a gynecology clinic that she alleged refused service based on her being transgender. In a social media post, she expressed confusion and distress over the encounter, questioning whether such a refusal was lawful. She later claimed that the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia acknowledged the discrimination, although no official outcome has been reported.
The case sparked public debate on the intersection of gender identity and medical or cosmetic service qualifications. Critics, including some public figures, questioned whether general practitioners and specialists in women’s health should be expected to provide care that involves anatomy they are not trained to treat. Advocates for trans-inclusive care emphasized the importance of appropriately trained providers who understand the specific needs of transgender patients.
Medical experts clarify that while transgender women may require gynecologic-style care post-surgery, those who have not undergone gender-affirming surgery typically require different forms of healthcare. The focus, they argue, should remain on clinical competence and patient safety rather than ideology.
Simpson’s series of legal actions and public statements have made her a polarizing figure in Canada’s broader conversation about gender rights, access to services, and professional boundaries.
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