The weather was cloudy and cold outside, but inside Joseph Teres School, the day started out bright and warm for Isabella Burgos.
Isabella was met at school by friends wearing pink in support of the transgendered eight-year-old, who up until two months ago, didn't always identify herself as a girl.
"It's overwhelming. Isabella was definitely shocked, she's so happy," said Izzy Burgos, Isabella’s mother. "We walked into the school today and there was tons of pink and parents and children and siblings that don't go here."
The outpouring of support is in response to an incident at the school. Isabella was told by another parent she couldn't use the girl’s washroom.
Isabella's parents asked for a human rights investigation, hoping she can continue using the girl’s washroom instead of the gender neutral one.
"I did recieve a call from human rights commission this morning and we're going to move forward and go to mediation and she'll let me know if they're in agreement with the school,” said Burgos. “If not, I guess we'll go the next step."
A mother whose son is in Grade 2 got behind the social media campaign and coloured her hair as well as her son's pink to show their love and support for the family.
"He says I made him but he was actually really excited to do it, it coincided with crazy hair day at school. So it was just a great opportunity for us to show support," Nicole Macdonald.
While love from the community pours in, Izzy Burgos says she's also waiting on word from Winnipeg police about the harassment complaint she filed regarding the incident that started it all.
Winnipeg police say they’re following up on the matter.
- With a report by Sheila North Wilson
