Woman at centre of controversial genital-waxing complaint faces weapons charges

LANGLEY (NEWS 1130) — A B.C. woman who was at the center of a failed human rights complaint, where she claimed she was discriminated against because beauticians would not wax her scrotum is heading to court on weapons charges.

Langley RCMP confirm Jessica Yaniv has been charged with two counts of possession of a prohibited weapon.

Police were called in August after Yaniv was seen brandishing the weapon during a heated YouTube live-stream.

“Langley officers viewed the video and after confirming the provided information, attended the suspect residence and arrested the woman for Possession of a Prohibited Weapon. A Search warrant was obtained for the residence and executed the following day,” according to a news release. “Two Conducted Electrical Weapons were seized from the property during the search.”

The August debate centered around a controversial human rights complaint. Yaniv, who is transgender, alleged she was discriminated against on the basis of gender identity and expression.

In October, the BC Human Rights Tribunal dismissed Yaniv’s complains–filed against multiple waxing providers–finding that they were filed in bad faith.

“I find that Ms. Yaniv’s predominant motive in filing her waxing complaints is not to prevent or remedy alleged discrimination, but to target small businesses for personal financial gain. In many of these complaints, she is also motivated to punish racialized and immigrant women based on her perception that certain ethnic groups, namely South Asian and Asian communities, are “taking over” and advancing an agenda hostile to the interests of LGBTQ+ people. These motives are not consistent with the Code’s purposes, and in particular, its purpose of promoting a climate of understanding and mutual respect, where all are equal in dignity and rights: s. 3,” reads the decision.

Yaniv is due in court in January.

-With files from Lauren Boothby