Queen’s University law professor and gender studies expert Kathy Lahey is available to comment on Jenna Talackova being allowed to compete in the 2012 Miss Universe Canada pageant. She was originally disqualified because she was born a male and went through gender reassignment surgery.

When the original announcement was handed down, Professor Lahey noted “What we're seeing is yet another enactment of violation of basic human rights on the basis of a person's sexual identity and gender identity."

Lahey also said the organizers can't hide behind the concept of a "natural born" woman, because it does not exist in law. Instead, she said there is simply legislation and medical protocol that enables a person to align their legal sex classification with their body's physical appearance.

To arrange an interview, please contact communication officers Anne Craig at 613-533-2877 or anne.craig@queensu.ca or Michael Onesi at 613.533.6000 ext. 77513 or michael.onesi@queensu.at Queen’s University News and Media Services Department in Kingston, Ont., Canada.

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