Jessica Simpson (formerly Jessica Yaniv), a Canadian transgender activist, claims she was discriminated against after a gynecologist allegedly told her, “we don’t serve transgender patients.” Simpson, who still has male genitalia, said she felt “shocked and hurt,” and filed a complaint with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia in 2019. No public update has been issued since.
This isn’t the first time Simpson has sparked controversy. In 2018, she filed human rights complaints against several estheticians who refused to perform a Brazilian wax on her male genitalia. She sought up to $15,000 from each, but the court ruled against her, stating she had shown hostility toward certain racial and cultural groups. The estheticians, mostly minority women working from home, were not trained to work with male anatomy and some had to close their businesses.
Simpson has since launched numerous other complaints—against beauty pageants, police, and even the Langley Fire Department, which warned her in 2021 after she made over 30 non-emergency calls for help getting out of the bath. The department accused her of lewd behavior toward staff.
Simpson has also faced criminal charges, including for weapons possession and mischief, and has been criticized for inappropriate interactions with minors and alleged racism.
The gynecology incident reignited debate over whether identity or anatomy should guide medical care. Experts say gynecologists are not typically trained to treat patients with male anatomy unless gender-affirming surgery has occurred. Critics argue that Simpson’s demands ignore medical realities, while others say transgender individuals deserve equal access to care.
Comedian Ricky Gervais mocked Simpson’s claims online, while conservative commentators used her case to argue against gender ideology in healthcare.
The case raises ongoing questions about how the medical system should navigate gender identity and anatomical needs.