An Ontario court has ordered a new hearing by the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) concerning a discrimination complaint filed by Jordan Renae Thorne, a Black trans man. Thorne alleged that he was misgendered by a physician and an office assistant at a walk-in clinic, an act he believed constituted discrimination based on his gender identity and expression. The court dismissed Thorne's claim of racial discrimination but found that the HRTO did not adequately assess the legal implications of the misgendering complaint.

The case stems from an incident in December 2017 when Thorne was addressed using the pronouns listed on his medical records, which he claims was not consistent with his identified gender. The court ruled that the HRTO must revisit the case with a different adjudicator, emphasizing that the tribunal's prior analysis was deficient. This highlights the legal complexities surrounding gender identity and expression in the context of healthcare, and raises important questions about the responsibilities of medical professionals in respecting patients' identities.

The ruling implications could lead to more robust legal protections for individuals facing similar issues in healthcare settings, potentially influencing how medical institutions train staff regarding gender identity and the use of appropriate pronouns. As discussions on gender identity continue to evolve in society and the legal system, this case serves as a critical example of the intersection between healthcare, discrimination, and individual rights.