Trans woman’s treatment by London police jeopardizes trust with LGBTQ2S+ community
The questions keep mounting for London police about an alleged swatting incident and how officers treated a popular online transgender activist.
“The (LGBTQ2S+) community reaction is one of disbelief, there’s a lot of anger, there’s a lot of disappointment,” explains Christa Duvall, director of PFLAG London.
Those feelings stem from how police behaved towards a transgender woman during an investigation last week.
On Friday, Aug. 5, transgender activist Clara Sorrenti awoke to heavily armed officers at her downtown residence.
She was eventually released by police without charge— believing she was a victim of a ‘swatting’ — when someone makes a false threat to draw a large police response to an unsuspecting victim’s home.
But during her time in custody, Sorrenti’s birth name, also known as a ‘dead name,’ was used by officers— despite having had it legally changed.
Police officers also admit to using an incorrect gender.
On Wednesday, police Chief Steve Williams provided a written statement saying, “It has come to my attention that Ms. Sorrenti was referred to during her time in London police custody by an incorrect name and gender. We acknowledge the distress this has caused Ms. Sorrenti and we will be reviewing the occurrence to understand how that might have happened.”
However, Duvall believes Sorrenti’s experience has exposed ongoing problems in the relationship between London police and the local LGBTQ2S+ community.
“A number of trans people who have contacted me in the last three days and said this isn’t anything new. This happens to people in our community on a weekly basis. We don’t feel safe. It’s just brought it to light now,” explains Duvall.
On Thursday, Chief Williams once again refused to be interviewed by CTV News about the mounting concerns.
The lingering questions and written statement have drawn criticism from around the world after being posted on Twitter.
Despite a decision by police to disable replies to their tweet— outrage still poured in from around the world:
- “This is a garbage response just so full of fake PR spin. It’s no wonder you turned off replies. (Which is a sign of guilt by the way)” @ReyosB
- “Nothing says truth and transparency like restricting and hiding replies. You know what is transparent? Your cowardice and your complicity” @EndedMoon
“People are really going to pause before contacting the police now, because it’s not a safe place to our (LGBTQ2S+) folks,” worries Duvall after suggesting this week represents 50 steps backwards after years of effort to strengthen trust.
Duvall believes Chief Williams should publicly apologize and commit to real change through enhanced training for officers about how to work with the LGBTQ2+ community.
“Not training every year, not training every five years,” Duvall said. “I think this is something that has to happen quarterly.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
LIVE SOON Honda expected to announce Ontario EV battery plant, part of a $15B investment
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Honda executives are expected to announce today that the Japanese automaker is building an electric vehicle battery plant in Alliston, Ont., part of a $15-billion investment.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.