Trans Woman Files Lawsuit After Alleged Discrimination by OB-GYN
A transgender woman has sparked fresh legal and social debate after claiming she was denied medical care by a gynecologist for a body part she doesn’t possess. The incident has reignited discussions around gender identity, medical ethics, and discrimination laws, capturing international attention.
The plaintiff, Jessica Yaniv—now known as Jessica Simpson—is a Canadian trans activist who rose to notoriety in 2018 for filing multiple human rights complaints against beauticians who refused to provide waxing services for her male genitalia.
Simpson, 37, who has not undergone gender-affirming surgery, requested a Brazilian wax—a service typically performed on female anatomy. However, the estheticians she approached were not trained to handle male genitalia, which would require a different procedure known as a “manzilian” or “brozilian.” She pursued legal action against five independent workers, demanding up to $15,000 in damages from each for alleged discrimination.
“None of these providers had any issue until I mentioned I was transgender,” Simpson told the court, as reported by The Telegraph.
Legal Backlash and Court Ruling
In 2019, Simpson lost what became a high-profile legal battle in Canadian courts. The tribunal ruled in favor of the estheticians, stating they had the right to refuse services they were neither trained for nor comfortable performing. Simpson was ordered to pay $2,000 in damages to each of the three respondents who testified.
The court also noted Simpson’s apparent hostility toward certain racial, religious, and cultural groups, adding further complexity to the case. The beauticians, mostly immigrant women working from their homes with limited English skills, said they had to shut down their small businesses due to the fallout.
When asked by the Calgary Herald whether she regretted the impact on their livelihoods, Simpson responded, “No, why should I feel bad? The one who was the victim here was me. The way that I see it, all women should receive the same service.”
Ongoing Legal Battles
This was just one in a series of legal complaints Simpson has filed over the years. Described by one BC Supreme Court Justice as a “prolific litigant,” she has also brought cases against beauty pageants, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the provincial health service, and a local media outlet.
As the latest OB-GYN case unfolds, it continues to polarize public opinion—raising questions about the boundaries of medical responsibility, gender identity rights, and the limits of anti-discrimination laws.
Jessica Simpson Controversy Deepens: From Waxing Disputes to Fire Department Warnings and a Lawsuit Against a Gynecologist
Jessica Simpson, a transgender activist formerly known as Jessica Yaniv, has continued to make headlines across Canada with a string of controversial legal actions and public complaints—most recently against a gynecologist who allegedly refused her treatment.
Emergency Calls and Fire Department Backlash
In February 2021, Simpson received a formal warning from the Langley Fire Department after making more than 30 emergency calls for assistance getting out of the bath. The department clarified in a letter that none of the calls constituted a medical emergency and raised serious concerns about her behavior toward first responders.
“Your conduct has created, among other things, an inappropriate and unsafe environment for Fire Department staff. This is not acceptable to the Township and will not be tolerated going forward,” the department wrote.
In response, Simpson posted a since-deleted tweet threatening legal action against the township for “libel and other things,” according to the Western Standard.
Legal History and Allegations
Despite facing various charges over the years—including mischief, assault, possession of prohibited weapons, and inappropriate communications with minors—Simpson has often portrayed herself as a victim of systemic transphobia. Her critics, however, say her behavior has crossed the line from advocacy into harassment.
Simpson gained notoriety in 2018 when she sued multiple estheticians for refusing to perform waxing services on her male genitalia. The case ultimately failed, with the court ruling that service providers have a right to refuse procedures they are not trained or comfortable performing, especially on anatomy they don’t typically work with.
OB-GYN Complaint Sparks Debate
In her most recent legal effort, Simpson filed a complaint against a gynecology clinic that allegedly told her, “we don’t serve transgender patients.” Though she still had male anatomy at the time, Simpson expressed outrage, claiming she was hurt and confused by the rejection.
“Are they allowed to do that, legally? Isn’t that against the college practices?” she wrote in a now-deleted Instagram post, tagging the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC).
She went on to argue that gynecologists should be trained to care for transgender and non-binary patients as part of a broader, inclusive medical approach. While Simpson claimed that CPSBC sided with her, no formal updates have been issued since the complaint was launched in 2019.
Public Reactions and Expert Perspectives
Public response has been sharply divided. Critics argue that expecting OB-GYNs—who specialize in female reproductive health—to treat individuals with male genitalia is medically inappropriate and unrealistic.
“Plastic surgery and hormones don’t change male anatomy into female anatomy,” said Kirralie Smith of Binary, an organization critical of gender ideology. “She needs to see a transgender specialist, not a doctor who specializes in women’s health.”
Comedian Ricky Gervais also weighed in sarcastically, tweeting:
“It’s disgusting that a qualified gynaecologist can refuse to check a lady’s cock for ovarian cancer. What if her bollocks are pregnant?”
He later joked he would dress as “brave female activist Jessica Yaniv” for Halloween, quipping that it would save him from waxing his “big old hairy balls.”
Understanding Transgender Healthcare
Medical experts note that gynecological care depends on anatomy, not identity. According to specialists, only trans women who have undergone gender-affirming surgery require gynecological services related to a surgically constructed vagina.
“Anyone with a cervix, vagina, uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes needs regular gynecologic care, regardless of gender,” reads a widely cited article on transgender gynecology. But for those assigned male at birth who haven’t had surgery, typical OB-GYN services simply aren’t applicable—and providers may not be trained or equipped to handle their needs.
The Bigger Picture
This ongoing controversy isn’t just about one person—it speaks to a larger debate about how identity, medical training, and patient rights intersect in modern healthcare.
Should healthcare providers be required to treat based on identity, or is anatomical and clinical appropriateness the higher priority?
Let us know your thoughts—and share this story to keep the conversation going.
