Gender Identity and Gender Expression: Your Rights in Ontario

In 2012, Ontario added gender identity and gender expression to the Human Rights Code. They are protected in employment, housing, services, contracts and memberships.

What the protection covers

• Employment: hiring, promotion, pay, dress codes and freedom from harassment.
• Housing: renting, conditions in your building, and freedom from harassment by a landlord or neighbours.
• Services: stores, restaurants, schools, health care, government offices and more.

Names and pronouns

Organizations should use your chosen name and pronouns, and should update their records where possible.

Washrooms and change rooms

You should be allowed to use the facilities that match your lived gender identity.

Harassment

Repeated misgendering, comments or jokes about gender identity can be harassment.

If your rights are violated

1. Write down what happened, with dates and witnesses.
2. Raise it with the organization if you feel safe doing so.
3. You can apply to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, usually within one year.

Sources

• Ontario Human Rights Code
• OHRC: gender identity and gender expression
• Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (Tribunals Ontario)

Read next: Age Discrimination in Ontario: Work, Housing and Services

General Ontario legal information, not legal advice for your matter, and reading it does not create a retainer. Sources checked 15 October 2026: check the current law, forms and dates before you act.

Photos from Pexels: Many hands joined together · Colleagues in a meeting at an office.

This article is general information for people in Ontario, not legal advice. Rules, forms and deadlines change, and every situation is different. Check the current rule or speak to a licensed legal professional before you act.