Protesters gathered outside of Jenny’s Bridal Saturday in Saskatoon to show their support for Rohit Singh Peace.
Peace is a transgendered woman who was turned away by the boutique after a shop clerk told her they don’t allow men to try on dresses.
“I am a human being and not an animal,” Peace said at the protest. “I came here to try on a dress as a bride, so this is discrimination.”
Peace plans to file a complaint with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission, and Saturday, protesters showed their support for that decision.
“We have to petition, we have to get support within the government, and we have to get the public on our side,” said Miki Mappin, who was among Peace’s supporters.
While the protest took place outside of Jenny’s Bridal, those taking place said it wasn’t about getting revenge on the store – it was about standing up for transgendered rights. “If the owner came out at any time and said sorry I think everyone would be fine and applaud them and be happy with them,” said Brent McFarlane, one of the protesters.
Peace share’s McFarlane’s sentiment. “The pain they gave me – I don’t want others to feel that,” she said, adding that she’ll follow through with the complaint, regardless of how long it takes to settle.