Amy Eileen Hamm vs. transgender people

Amy Eileen Hamm is a Canadian nurse and anti-transgender extremist.

Hamm co-founded anti-trans group Canadian Women’s Sex-Based Rights (caWsbar) and was subject to a regulatory tribunal brought by the nursing regulatory board for anti-transgender activity.

Background

Hamm earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Thompson Rivers University, followed by a bachelor’s degree in nursing from University of British Columbia in 2012.

Hamm worked for 7 months as a psychiatric nurse in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side. Hamm then became a nurse educator in the psychiatric unit at a hospital in Richmond (part of Vancouver Coastal Health). Hamm resides in New Westminster, British Columbia.

In 2011, Hamm responded to the question “If you could live in a certain time period and place what would it be?” Hamm said:

1950s, small-town ‘merica. I could go for some “ignorance is bliss”. I’d be a stupid housewife with a stupid optimistic outlook on life.
Hamm (2011)

Hamm ended up in a much more modern cliché. Hamm is divorced and has children. Hamm has discussed being a single parent and the stigma involved:

It has been a few years since I left my marriage, and I did end up meeting someone wonderful. In the time between, I realized that single motherhood is the largest unquestioned stigma of my era. It can be achingly lonely and—if you let it get to you—it can crush your self-esteem.
Hamm (2023)

Anti-transgender activism

Hamm is a sex segregationist who co-founded gender critical group Canadian Women’s Sex-Based Rights (caWsbar) in 2019. Hamm claims to be fighting “the harms that gender-identity ideology was inflicting on women and children.”

In 2021 and 2022 Hamm and Esme Vee hosted Gender Critical Story Hour podcast. Episodes include:

0 – trailer
1 – Meghan Murphy (February 21, 2021)
2 – Marguerite Stern (February 22, 2021)
3 – Laoise Uí Aodha de Brún (February 23, 2021)
4 – Barbara Kay (February 24, 2021)
5 – Graham Linehan (February 28, 2021)
6 – Heather Mason and Madeline Riversong (March 20, 2021)
7 – Linda Blade (June 4, 2021)
8 – Bad Women: Amy & Esme (June 20, 2021)
9 – Cancel Club: Amy & Esme (July 26, 2021)
10 – Heather Mason and Linda Blade (April 7, 2022)
11 – Sue-Ann Levy (April 26, 2022)
12 – The Haters Inside the Canadian “Anti-Hate” Network (July 25, 2022)
13 – How Far Can They Go: Are we reaching peak trans? (September 29, 2022)

Hamm and Holly Stamer co-founded GIDYVR, an anti-trans speaker series based in Vancouver. Their first event at the Vancouver Public Library on January 10, 2019 featured Meghan Murphy, Fay Blaney, and Lee Lakeman, moderated by Mary-Lee Bouma. Vancouver Public Library Chief Librarian Christina de Castell issued a statement about the event.

Hamm is best known for purchasing billboards that say “I ♥ JK Rowling” with Chris Elston. They have been quickly removed for being a reference to anti-transgender views of transphobic author J.K. Rowling.

Hamm’s writing has appeared in conservative and fascist publications including the Post Millennial, The New Westminster Times, Human Events, and Quillette.

Disciplinary hearing

In 2022 the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) initiated a disciplinary hearing against Hamm:

Between approximately July 2018 and March 2021, you made discriminatory and derogatory statements regarding transgender people, while identifying yourself as a nurse or nurse educator. These statements were made across various online platforms, including but not limited to, podcasts, videos, published writings and social media.
BCCNM (2022)

Hamm reportedly rejected a proposed settlement from the college that would have included a two-week license suspension and social media training.

Hamm is represented by Lisa Bildy of Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF). JCCF brought in anti-trans extremist James Cantor to testify on Hamm’s behalf in 2023.

References

Christina de Castell (January 27, 2020). Statement from VPL’s Chief Librarian regarding March 21 GIDYVR event. Vancouver Public Library https://www.vpl.ca/statement-on-gidyvr-event

Pawson, Chad (September 12, 2020). I Love J.K. Rowling sign makes brief, controversial appearance in Vancouver. CBC News https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/i-love-j-k-rowling-sign-makes-brief-controversial-appearance-in-vancouver-1.5722244

Takeuchi, Craig (September 12th, 2020). Transphobia concerns prompt East Vancouver billboard supporting J.K. Rowling to be covered up. The Georgia Straight https://www.straight.com/living/transphobia-concerns-prompt-east-vancouver-billboard-supporting-jk-rowling-to-be-covered-up

Higgins, Michael ( Jan 23, 2023). Michael Higgins: B.C. nurse Amy Hamm is being persecuted for believing in biology. National Post https://nationalpost.com/opinion/michael-higgins-amy-hamm-is-being-persecuted-for-believing-in-biology

Lindsay, Bethany (October 23, 2023). Nurse’s ‘discriminatory and derogatory’ comments on transgender people at issue in B.C. hearing. CBC https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-amy-hamm-disciplinary-hearing-1.7005480

Lindsay, Bethany (October 24, 2023). Controversial psychologist tells B.C. hearing he feels a duty to speak out on transgender issues. CBC https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-amy-hamm-disciplinary-hearing-oct-24-1.7007014

Lindsay, Bethany (October 25, 2023). Lawyer says contentious psychologist will ‘dispel the myth’ that B.C. nurse’s comments harm trans people. CBC https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-amy-hamm-disciplinary-hearing-oct-25-1.7008318

Lindsay, Bethany (November 3, 2023). Nurse tells B.C. hearing she’s not transphobic, but calls gender identity ‘metaphysical nonsense.’ CBC https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-amy-hamm-disciplinary-hearing-nov-3-1.7018573

Publications by Hamm

Hamm, Amy Eileen (April 8, 2022). I’m Being Investigated by the British Columbia College of Nurses Because I Believe Biological Sex Is Real. Quillette https://quillette.com/2022/04/08/im-being-investigated-by-the-british-columbia-college-of-nurses-because-i-believe-biological-sex-is-real/

Hamm, Amy Eileen (February 14, 2023). Teaching UBC Medical Scholars that Biological Sex is a ‘Colonial Imposition.’ Quillette https://quillette.com/blog/2023/02/14/teaching-ubc-medical-students-that-biological-sex-is-a-colonial-imposition/

Hamm, Amy Eileen (June 22, 2023). On the stigma of single motherhood. Substack https://preta6.substack.com/p/on-the-stigma-of-single-motherhood