Morgane Oger

The British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) Discipline Committee recently ruled that Amy Hamm engaged in unprofessional conduct by making discriminatory and derogatory statements about transgender individuals while identifying herself as a nurse. This decision is a critical affirmation that healthcare professionals must provide care without bias and uphold the ethical standards of their profession.

Amy Hamm has been a vocal opponent of transgender rights and has used her public platform to spread misinformation and harmful rhetoric about trans people. While I was not part of the complaint against her, it is worth noting that over the years, she has made numerous false and derogatory statements about me personally, further contributing to the harassment and misrepresentation of transgender individuals in Canada. Her conduct is part of a broader pattern of discrimination that has been increasingly challenged by legal and professional accountability mechanisms.

This ruling closely mirrors the precedent set in Oger v. Whatcott, the landmark BC Human Rights Tribunal case in which I successfully challenged Bill Whatcott’s targeted campaign of misinformation and hate speech. The Tribunal found that Whatcott’s actions—publishing misleading and defamatory material intended to incite discrimination against transgender people—were not protected as free expression because they actively undermined the dignity and equal rights of a vulnerable community.

The parallels between Hamm and Whatcott are undeniable. Both used their platforms to publicly spread false and harmful narratives about transgender individuals. Both attempted to disguise discriminatory speech under the guise of “free expression” while their actions contributed to the marginalization and real-world harm of trans people. And now, both have faced professional and legal consequences for their actions.

This ruling highlights an important distinction that must be upheld in professional and legal settings: privately held beliefs are not the same as publicly expressing an intent to discriminate or encouraging others to do so. Everyone is entitled to their personal opinions. However, when those opinions are weaponized to undermine the dignity and rights of others—especially by someone in a position of trust and authority—the consequences must be addressed. In healthcare, where the well-being of patients is paramount, the ability to serve all individuals without prejudice is not optional; it is a professional obligation.

At the same time, it is important to clarify the balance between individual rights and professional responsibilities. While a worker may refuse to serve a particular person based on safety, dignity, or personal beliefs, the responsibility ultimately falls on the service provider to ensure that sufficient qualified staff are available to serve everyone equitably, within the limits of undue hardship. No individual should be denied access to healthcare because of who they are. Every person has the fundamental right to live their life and access services in safety, free from discrimination, and with the confidence that their care providers are both capable and willing to treat them with respect.

This is not just a question of professional ethics but of maintaining public trust in our healthcare system. If discriminatory behavior goes unchecked, it erodes confidence in the ability of regulated professionals to provide fair and equitable care. That is why enforcement mechanisms, such as the one exercised by the BCCNM in this case, are so essential. However, disciplinary action alone is not enough. There must also be robust policies in place to prevent similar incidents in the future, including comprehensive diversity training, clear guidelines on professional conduct, and swift accountability measures when violations occur.

The ruling against Amy Hamm serves as another reminder—following Oger v. Whatcott—that professional standards, human rights laws, and ethical obligations exist to protect individuals from discrimination. Those who hold positions of authority, particularly in healthcare, must be held to the highest standards. I urge regulatory bodies to remain vigilant in upholding these standards, ensuring that all individuals receive the care and respect they deserve.

It seems that Hamm currently works as a writer specialized in hit pieces targeting transgender persons and TERF fundraising websites.

Like Whatcott who also trained and once as a nurse, Hamm seems unemployable as a nurse since she became one of the faces of TERF rage in BC. Their experiences and the impact of their conduct on those around them highlight the catastrophic personal cost of falling prey to radicalization.