A nurse from British Columbia, Canada, currently facing a discipline hearing due to allegations of making derogatory and anti-trans comments, strongly maintains her non-transphobic position. Amy Hamm faces accusations of unprofessional conduct stemming from her social media posts, podcast appearances, and videos where she misgenders transgender women and raises concerns about their potential impact on cisgender women and children.
In the hearing, conducted by the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives, Hamm emphasized that she keeps her personal beliefs separate from her professional life. Nevertheless, the college has raised concerns that her anti-trans advocacy could discourage transgender individuals from seeking healthcare, potentially putting them at risk.
The college alleges that Hamm made “discriminatory and derogatory statements regarding transgender people while identifying [herself] as a nurse” between July 2018 and March 2021. Initially, the discipline panel proposed a settlement that included a two-week suspension of her license and social media training, which Hamm rejected.
During the hearing, Hamm clarified that she never intended to represent her profession. However, the college pointed out that she had identified herself as a nurse in several articles related to transgender issues. Hamm dismissed this as “a small biographical detail.” She maintained that her stance was not transphobic but rather aimed at keeping transgender women away from female-segregated spaces, such as changing rooms and prisons.
Hamm stated, “I’m not transphobic. I don’t have any issue with trans people—it’s the infringement on women and children’s rights.” She expressed her belief that pro-trans activists were “infringing on the rights of women and pushing institutions to adopt what are false and delusion beliefs.”
In her social media posts and videos, Hamm consistently misgenders trans women and asserts they pose a threat to cis women and children. She has also described non-binary adults in derogatory terms and rejected the concept of gender identity as “anti-scientific, metaphysical nonsense.” Despite her strong anti-trans beliefs, Hamm emphasized that she always uses people’s preferred pronouns at work and limits her advocacy for policy change to outside her workplace.
During the hearing, Hamm was questioned about her employer’s concerns regarding transgender patients being aware of her personal beliefs and advocacy. She stated that she would remove herself if any patients expressed discomfort but mentioned that her job rarely involves front-line nursing care. The hearing is set to conclude on Wednesday, November 8th.