Windsor Police have charged a 34-year-old London man with criminal harassment after an incident at Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare.
Police accuse Bubba Pollock of consistently harassing a Windsor woman about a Pride event in London.
The man allegedly appeared in the hospital room of her dying father, where he took a selfie with the sleeping man.
"I've never met Bubba in my life. Until I called Bubba out publically on Facebook three days ago and then Bubba posted that picture in my father's room with no caption, no comment on the post...so you know what that means," said Brittany LeRoux.
LeRoux and her husband are active allies of the LGBTQ+ community. After seeing the post she shared it with the LGBTQ+ advocacy group Diversity Ed in Sarnia. Founder Crystal Fach posted the picture and a statement with the family's permission.
"They actually sent it to me, in my inbox," said Fach. "My first question was, what do you need from me? What can I do to support you? Do you want me to get this message out there?"
The couple recently got married at the hospital so LeRoux's father, who has pancreatic cancer, could attend.
"I was absolutely panicked for my father's life and the safety of my two children. I immediately called the hospital to make sure Dad was still o.k. and he was. He is blissfully ignorant to all of this," said Leroux.
HDGH CEO Bill Marra confirmed the incident and said he has met with the patient's family and Windsor Police.
Whenever there is an incident involving security at the hospital, he said measures undergo a review.
Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital issued also issued a statement on Marra's behalf.
"Unfortunately, I am not able to publicly comment on the circumstances regarding this matter other than to say that we have been actively engaged with the family -- I met with the daughter, her husband, and our patient in person -- and law enforcement has initiated an investigation into this matter and the person in question," read the statement. "All parties are working very closely. Given the privacy circumstances associated with both of these dynamics, I cannot provide further comment."
In other media reports, Pollock claimed he was trying to show empathy by bringing the man flowers. Fach doesn't buy the story.
"The only interaction that he's ever had with Britt, was Brittany calling him out about Wortley Pride protests, and him calling her fat, calling her poor -- and then, all of the sudden, he's feeling empathetic towards her dying father and wants to bring flowers? The math doesn't math for me."
Fach insists while those against trans rights seem to be getting bolder in their opposition, advocates are going nowhere.
"It makes us a little more vigilant in our day-to-day advocacy, but it's definitely not going to stop it," she vowed. "The impact that person tried to have did not work."
LeRoux also stated she will continue to support the trans and LGBTQ+ community.
"We can stand up to this. I will not be intimidated. Love, love will always win. Love is louder," said Leroux.
Windsor Police say Pollock will appear in a Windsor courtroom at a later date.
They ask anyone with information about the incident to call the Major Crimes Unit at 519-255-6700 ext 4830 or Crime Stoppers at 519-258-8477. Online tips are accepted at www.catchcrooks.com.
-with files from Maureen Revait