Canada: British trans woman ‘detained in men’s jail’ after visa violation

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A British trans woman has been detained in a men’s jail in Canada after a visa dispute.

Avery Edison, a stand-up comedian, was attempting to enter the country for three weeks to visit her partner, but was denied entry due to overstaying her student visa in September.

Live tweeting her experience, she reported that the customs officials used male pronouns, despite her having a valid female passport, and flip-flopped several times on which gender detention facility to send her to, before sending her to a men’s jail.

Staff were apparently unaware that she was live-tweeting her experience across several hours.

 

 

 

 

Her partner, RahRah Templeton, later confirmed that Avery had been moved from the immigration detention centre to a men’s jail, and was being misgendered by prison guards.

 

 

After internet backlash, Edison is due to be moved to a female correctional facility.

Her initial hearing is later this morning, and she could be sent back to the UK.