World News

Trans woman awarded $35K in leg waxing incident where owner allegedly said they didn’t have to serve ‘someone like you’

By
Social Links for Lauren Elkies Schram
Published June 22, 2024, 4:31 p.m. ET

A transgender woman denied a leg wax at a Canadian salon after the owner allegedly said they had no one to serve “someone like you” has won $35,000 in damages from a local tribunal — but the facility is fighting back.

The ruling against salon Mad Wax Windsor is “deeply flawed” said Raymond Colautti, a lawyer for owner Jason Carruthers, who added he has appealed.

Carruthers told CBC News the decision was “unjust” and that he was “shocked by the awarded amount as a small business owner.”

Hands in white gloves apply wax to a woman's thigh.
A.B. said she attempted suicide at one point and got hooked on substances in the wake of the incident. Dusko – stock.adobe.com
The front of a grey, one-story building that says, "Mad Wax" in orange.
A.B. testified the staff at Mad Wax Windsor denied providing leg wax services and referred to her as “someone like you.” Google

The incident unfolded in March 2018 after the transgender woman, identified only as A.B., called the salon for an appointment and claimed the owner was discriminatory.

She filed a human rights complaint and later testified she attempted suicide at one point and became hooked on substances, though it’s unclear if the self-destructive behavior is linked to the incident with Mad Wax.

“It helps tell the story of the discrimination I faced and the steps taken to escalate that discrimination and harassment against me,” A.B. said in a statement cited by the CBC.

Neither Colautti nor the Human Rights Legal Support Centre, which represents A.B., immediately responded to a message from The Post.

Mad Wax’s voicemail indicated the salon is closed until July 5.