I am writing in response to an article entitled "Sex rights: The 3rd way," (Oct. 24) which addressed the Ontario Human Rights Commission's release of a discussion paper on gender identity.

Contrary to the Toronto Sun's assertion, the Ontario Human Rights Commission is not proposing an amendment to its Human Rights Code to include gender identity.  The existing legal structure effectively protects transgendered persons from discrimination without requiring legislative change.

Up to now, the commission has accepted complaints related to gender identity on the grounds of sex, and it will continue to do so.  The human rights legislation in Ontario protects the rights of every Ontario citizen, including transgendered people.  The transgendered community has the right to the same fundamental protections against unlawful discrimination as everyone else.

To headline the article as protection for transsexuals, cross-dressers and drag queens only serves to further stigmatize individuals who are already very marginalized in our society and fails to reflect the fact that the transgendered face enormous discrimination in their everyday lives.  For many, an unsupportive and unwelcoming environment at work and in society is an obstacle they deal with on a daily basis.

It is for these reasons that transgendered individuals deserve both compassion and understanding - and the protection of the law.  The purpose of the discussion paper is to assist in the development of a policy to help the public and commission staff to understand better how the code applies to protect transgendered people in various circumstances.

Keith C.  Norton
Chief Commissioner
Ontario Human Rights Commission