The Quebec Human Rights Commission has agreed to hear the case of a Quebec woman who claims she was the victim of discrimination when she was asked during a job interview if she was transgender.
Léna Miville, 32, is a competitive bodybuilder who was applying for an office job at Sécurforce in Quebec City. She claims that moments into the interview - that she said lasted about 45 seconds - the recruiter cut her off and asked if she was transgender.
"I don't feel that question was pertinent to the job," Miville told CJAD 800 News in a phone interview.
Miville said she left right away and filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission.
"I cried after I got home. I didn't know people could be so cruel," said Miville.
Miville, who stands 5'9" and weighs 140 pounds, said she's been burned before by people who judged her by her looks.
Sécurforce has said publicly that the comment was misinterpreted and was aimed at seeing how Miville felt about the subject and that the company does not discriminate.
Miville said she's not going to the Human Rights Commission only for compensation. She said she wants to send a message that such prejudices are unacceptable and differences should be embraced.
"It's not just a matter of money," said Miville.
"It's a matter of my honour and dignity that were violated."