Lauren C. Moye, FISM News
Single mother and nurse Amy Hamm will have to wait months to see if the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) will revoke her nurse license, not because of an ethical or professional violation, but because she advocates that biological sex defines a person’s gender during her personal time.
By the time the BCCNM disciplinary panel makes a ruling, it will be nearly a year since Hamm was first referred to the panel for her work as co-founder of the nonprofit Canadian Women’s Sex-Based Rights (caWsbar) — which believes that women’s rights have been at risk since gender identity and gender expression were codified as protected groups — and for helping sponsor an “I [heart] J.K. Rowling” billboard in downtown Vancouver.
The second phase of the disciplinary panel lasted for four days in January but convened without a definitive answer on if Hamm’s nursing license will be revoked, damaging her livelihood and ability to support her children.
It looks as though my hearing won’t resume until the fall.
In the meantime, gender ideology around the world will continue to be like: pic.twitter.com/Pf6DzhtaOe
— Amy Eileen Hamm (@preta_6) March 3, 2023
In 2017, Canada officially amended the Canadian Human Rights act and Criminal Code to include gender identity and gender expression.
In 2019, Hamm cofounded caWsbar to “preserve the rights and protections of women and girls, as enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (section 15).” As part of her work, Hamm was active online and in the community to advocate for biological gender only in opposition to the transgender movement.
During this time, she continued to work as a nurse in the Vancouver area. No patients or colleagues complained about the care she provided during this time.
However, her name was later linked to the appearance of a billboard supporting famed British author J. K. Rowling in 2020. Rowling, who was once praised for declaring that her character Dumbledore was gay, has more recently made herself an enemy of liberals by speaking out against the transgender ideology movement.
At this point, the BCCNM began an investigation after receiving two complaints about Hamm’s involvement in the billboard.
This investigation led to 300 pages of evidence against Hamm primarily sourced from the nurse’s social media posts and articles.
The resulting charge reads: “Between approximately July 2018 and March 2021, you made discriminatory and derogatory statements regarding transgender people, while identifying yourself as a nurse or nurse educator. These statements were made across various online platforms, including but not limited to, podcasts, videos, published writings, and social media.”
On Sept 21, 2022, Hamm underwent the first phase of her disciplinary hearing which lasted three days. She has also undergone hearings on Oct. 24-27 of last year and Jan. 10-13.
Hamm declined an earlier deal that would have seen her accept a suspension, undergo “re-education” training, and sign a statement admitting wrongdoing.
“This case involves worldviews and rights that have come into conflict, and whether an off-duty nurse is allowed to engage in debate about such a politically charged matter in the public square,” Lisa Bildy, a lawyer with the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms who is representing Hamm, said.
“Of course, conflicts are best solved by discussion and debate, not censorship and punishment,” Bildy continued. She added that people should be concerned when professional regulatory bodies become a tool for social activities to punish opposing viewpoints.