News and Events => Education news => Topic started by: MadelineB on August 28, 2012, 12:01:23 AM Return to Full Version
Title: Taking the law into his own hands
Post by: MadelineB on August 28, 2012, 12:01:23 AM
Post by: MadelineB on August 28, 2012, 12:01:23 AM
Taking the law into his own hands
Written by Victoria Ptashnick
Issue: Fall 2012, Canadian Lawyer Magazine
Posted 8/27/2012
http://www.canadianlawyermag.com/4290/taking-the-law-into-his-own-hands.html (http://www.canadianlawyermag.com/4290/taking-the-law-into-his-own-hands.html)
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianlawyermag.com%2Fcache%2Fmultithumb_thumbs%2Fb_150_0_16777215_0___images_stories_01-4STUDENTS_2012_Fall_4stbenvandorpe.jpg&hash=dde44f3b88d70b6aec26ca9745957886a229d143)
Ben Vandorpe first knew something was wrong when he, then a seven-year-old girl, was forced to have a separate bath from his male friend. "We had been playing and his mother said it was bath time and because I was a girl and he was a boy, we would be bathed separately," says Vandorpe. "I just remember crying non-stop and for the first time, being really aware of my gender," he says.
It was the first painful realization of many for Vandorpe, now 22 and identifying as a queer transgender man. He says his personal journey is what inspired him to apply to Osgoode Hall Law School. He was accepted and begins in September. "Now I'll have a shot at changing legislation that makes life hard for trans people. I couldn't be doing this now, though, without having gone through everything in my past," he says.
He says he hopes to tackle federal protections for trans people in his career as a lawyer. "It's been a long journey but I think finally all my experience has led me to this point. I'm hopeful about the future and it's a good feeling knowing through law, I'll be able to make a positive difference."
Written by Victoria Ptashnick
Issue: Fall 2012, Canadian Lawyer Magazine
Posted 8/27/2012
http://www.canadianlawyermag.com/4290/taking-the-law-into-his-own-hands.html (http://www.canadianlawyermag.com/4290/taking-the-law-into-his-own-hands.html)
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianlawyermag.com%2Fcache%2Fmultithumb_thumbs%2Fb_150_0_16777215_0___images_stories_01-4STUDENTS_2012_Fall_4stbenvandorpe.jpg&hash=dde44f3b88d70b6aec26ca9745957886a229d143)
Ben Vandorpe first knew something was wrong when he, then a seven-year-old girl, was forced to have a separate bath from his male friend. "We had been playing and his mother said it was bath time and because I was a girl and he was a boy, we would be bathed separately," says Vandorpe. "I just remember crying non-stop and for the first time, being really aware of my gender," he says.
It was the first painful realization of many for Vandorpe, now 22 and identifying as a queer transgender man. He says his personal journey is what inspired him to apply to Osgoode Hall Law School. He was accepted and begins in September. "Now I'll have a shot at changing legislation that makes life hard for trans people. I couldn't be doing this now, though, without having gone through everything in my past," he says.
He says he hopes to tackle federal protections for trans people in his career as a lawyer. "It's been a long journey but I think finally all my experience has led me to this point. I'm hopeful about the future and it's a good feeling knowing through law, I'll be able to make a positive difference."
Title: Re: Taking the law into his own hands
Post by: Jamiep on August 28, 2012, 11:33:54 AM
Post by: Jamiep on August 28, 2012, 11:33:54 AM
Transition to Ben, there couldn't be a better advocate for changing the law for protection of trans people than infiltrating the legal system as a lawyer. Positive experience. May Ben succeed in bringing equality to trans people. That is justice.
My ex brother-in-law went Osgood Hall in Toronto.
Jamie
My ex brother-in-law went Osgood Hall in Toronto.
Jamie
Title: Re: Taking the law into his own hands
Post by: dalebert on August 28, 2012, 02:09:37 PM
Post by: dalebert on August 28, 2012, 02:09:37 PM
I follow Ben's YouTube channel. He seems like an awesome guy. I really like him.
http://www.youtube.com/user/HerrBenjaminKalt (http://www.youtube.com/user/HerrBenjaminKalt)
http://www.youtube.com/user/HerrBenjaminKalt (http://www.youtube.com/user/HerrBenjaminKalt)
Title: Re: Taking the law into his own hands
Post by: stb820 on September 13, 2012, 04:28:26 PM
Post by: stb820 on September 13, 2012, 04:28:26 PM
We need some more people like him in the States.