Michelle Josef (born 1954) is a Canadian musician and transgender activist. 1954 was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... Transgender is generally used as a catch-all umbrella term for a variety of individuals, behaviors, and groups centered around the full or partial reversal of gender roles; however, compare other definitions below. ...

Josef was born Bohdan Hluszko. Under her former name, Josef was already established as one of Canada's leading session drummers, and has continued her career in music. She has appeared on albums by Prairie Oyster, Doug Sahm, Jo-El Sonnier, Wild Strawberries, Sylvia Tyson, Long John Baldry, Scott B. Sympathy, Big Rude Jake, and Sharon, Lois and Bram. A drummer is a musician who plays the drums, particularly the drum kit, marching percussion, or hand drums. ... Doug Sahm (born:November 6, 1941, died:November 18, 1999) was a major musical influence across a range of styles, including Texas blues, country, rock & roll, Western swing and Cajun. ... Wild Strawberries is a Canadian band made up of married couple Roberta Carter Harrison (vocals) and Ken Harrison. ... Long John Baldry, born January 12, 1941 in Haddon, Derbyshire, England, is a blues musician. ... Scott Bradshaw, who records as Scott B. Sympathy, is a Canadian indie rock musician. ... Sharon, Lois & Bram are a Canadian childrens musical trio composed of Sharon Trostin Hampson (born March 31, 1943, Toronto, Ontario), Lois Ada Lilienstein (born July 10, 1936, Chicago, Illinois), and Bramwell Morrison (born December 18, 1940, Toronto, Ontario). ...

Josef underwent sex reassignment surgery in 1997, and was fired from Prairie Oyster due to the band's fear of courting controversy; ironically, the firing itself became controversial. In 1999, she filed a complaint with the Ontario Human Rights Commission after being refused a female membership at a YMCA. Sex reassignment surgery (SRS) includes the surgical procedures by which a persons physical appearance and function of their existing sexual characteristics are changed to that of the other sex. ... 1997 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Reef. ... 1999 is a common year starting on Friday of the Common Era, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... The Ontario Human Rights Commission was established in 1961 to administer the code. ... Alternate meaning: YMCA (song) The YMCA (or Young Mens Christian Association) is an ecumenical Christian organization seeking to provide support for young people and their activities. ...

External links

• Michelle Josef (http://www.michellejosef.com/index.html)
• National Post article on Josef's human rights complaint (http://www.fact.on.ca/newpaper/np99102o.htm)