Nora Frances Henderson Secondary School in Hamilton is bracing for what it believes will be a whirlwind of media attention and potential protests in response to its hiring of busty trans teacher Kayla Lemieux.
In a memo to parents from the school that was later obtained by the Toronto Sun’s Joe Warmington, principal Tom Fisher outlined what preparations the school would be making for Lemieux’s return to the classroom.
Fisher said the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board high school has “an obligation to uphold individual rights and treat everyone with dignity and respect” and “should the school be subject to any disruptions or protests; we are committed to communicating with you as openly and as frequently as possible to ensure student safety – and to share any operational plans.”
Several operational changes to the school will include “having students enter and exit the building using assigned doors at entry and dismissal” and “locking exterior doors during school hours, only using the front main doors during school hours.”
Additionally, “all students and visitors will be required to use an intercom system to enter and exit the building” and the school is asking parents “to email or call before coming to the school if they wish to visit to speak to an employee.”
Fisher said that the school welcomes Lemieux, who has become world famous for “gender expression.”
Lemieux previously worked at Oakville Trafalgar High School until the teacher’s tenure was cut short following an enormous backlash from the public to photos of her giant prosthetic breasts.
Although the breasts are prosthetic, Lemieux claims that they are real and a result of a “hormone sensitivity to estrogen” and the result of a condition called ‘gigantomastia.’
The previous high school asked her to present a doctor’s note that would provide some medical backing to her claims however Lemieux refused, calling the school’s queries offensive.
“The diagnosis is based on verbal discussions I have had with my doctor,” said Lemieux in an interview with the Toronto Sun in February. “I don’t think women, in general, have formal diagnosis (sic) of their breast size. I also personally consider breast size irrelevant.”
“I decided to break my silence and put my name next to my statements, and now I am being asked to provide proof. I really don’t know how to help you with that.”
However, several images of Lemieux emerged wherein she was not wearing the prosthetic breasts, leading many to believe that Lemieux’s behaviour and transition was disingenuous.
A neighbour of Lemieux’s also confirmed that she could often be seen dressed as a man.
It was the photos of Lemieux not wearing the prosthetic breasts that ultimately led to her suspension from Oakville-Trafalgar high school.
“I consider myself to be a private citizen,” said Lemieux. “I never felt I was obligated to reveal personal details about myself based on special interest from media. And I never wanted any attention,” said Lemieux.
The public announcement of Lemieux’s return to teaching has enraged many parents in the province who feel that her appearance is unprofessional.
“This is just ridiculous – if ‘Kayla’ doesn’t wear the boobs all the time – WHY must they be worn at school if NOT for attention – This is sad for the kids – Why does the school allow this circus & at the kids’ expense?!’ wrote one person on X.
Lemieux claims to be intersex as a defence to often being seen with drastically different appearances, the term meaning, “born with both male and female sex organs.”
