Comments on transsexualism in the province of Quebec

Abstract

"In March 1971, the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire of the Université de Sherbrooke issued a press communiqué announcing that a "change of sex" operation had been performed on a male transsexual' . On Wednesday, October the 17th 1973, Judge Gilles Lahaye of the Court of Sessions in Drummondville, was taken aback when Gérard pelletier, previously found guilty of receiving stolen goods, reappeared in court for sentencing. The problem was that the accused was now "Mlle" Pelletier following surgery. Obviously, legal problems relating to transsexualism have begun to crop up in the Province of Quebec, much to the dismay of jurists who are compelled to formulate opinions on the subject without the benefit of any direct legislatjve guidance. [...]"