By Peter Berton
EDMONTON, Alberta – A WestJet flight attendant got way more than she bargained for on June 20 when she offended two Canadian performers and transgender activists during a flight from Toronto to Edmonton, Alberta.
“She came over and said, ‘You guys have to teach us how to do our makeup,’” Nina Arsenault told the Toronto Star newspaper. “And then they were like, ‘You know, because you used to be guys, right?’”
In response to a remark the T-girls considered tasteless, tactless and sexist, Arsenault’s traveling companion, Lexi Sanfino (pictured), removed her top and paraded her impressive breasts up and down the aircraft aisle. She indicated she wanted to ensure everyone on board was quite clear about her femininity.
“She walked down the aisle with quite a bit of grace and flamboyance and had her arms out,” Arsenault said. “And then the flight attendants came and covered her up, saying ‘Think about the children!’”
Sanfino told the Star, “My actions spoke louder than words.”
Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers detained both performers as they disembarked the plane. Sanfino was charged with creating a public disturbance; Arsenault was released without charges, though she said the Mounties deleted from her phone the videotape she shot during the arrest.
The ladies, whose passports bear the gender designation “male,” said the adventure was worth the hassle, as it brought to light an insidious double standard.
“Let’s face it: If you’re legally male, it’s not even illegal to remove your top,” Arsenault later explained. “I think that was the politics [Sanfino] was exposing. If you’re going to treat me like a male, then I’ll put this in your face. Which begs the question: Now am I [male or female]?”
According to the Star report, the Mounties addressed Arsenault and Sanfino using male pronouns.
“[The Mounties] said, ‘Just so you know, we might have to put you two in the male prison,’” Arsenault told the Star.
Added Sanfino, “All I kept thinking is they are threatening me with one hell of a good time.”
[SIZE=1]Image: Lexi Sanfino[/SIZE]
