A London, Ont. teen is taking the London Devilettes Girls Hockey Association and some of its coaches to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, alleging discrimination based on sexual orientation or sexual identity.

The teen was a goalie for the Devilettes' Bantam BB team during the 2016-2017 season. His female teammates were aged 13 and 14.

The teen's identity is protected in filings to the Human Rights Tribunal and the CBC is choosing to also protect his identity. We are calling him Joseph.

The teen now identifies as a boy. He is 16 years old.

"I always loved hockey. I decided I wanted to play competitive hockey. At this time, I was still identifying as a girl, so the organization for me was the London Devilettes," Joseph said.

He'd played in the league before, but not at the competitive level.

"As soon as the season started, I didn't feel protected or safe. Certain kids were using slurs toward me, telling other kids to stay away from me, and then later the coaches started to that, too," he said.

The allegations have not been proven. They're laid out in an application to the Human Rights Tribunal that will be heard before an adjudicator in January. His lawyers are Susan Toth and Andrew Camman of Polishuk, Camman and Steele in London.

The Devilettes and team coaches deny any discrimination against the teen in their own filings with the tribunal.

But Joseph's mother, Tara, said during the season, Joseph became withdrawn, anxious and didn't want to go to hockey, despite having loved the sport in previous years.

"The coaching staff set the tone really early. When kids were referring to him as a lesbian, and telling other kids to stay away from him, and never really addressing that head-on," she said. "I think right from the beginning, their behaviour set the tone and escalated and further ostracized (Joseph)."

When homophobic slurs were being used about the teen, his mother Tara discussed her concerns with the head coach, who is female. There was a meeting with players and parents. The coach said she spoke with the board of directors about the situation, but ultimately nothing was done, the family claims.

'Veiled threat'

Shortly after, Joseph said his goalie trainer pulled him aside and talked to him about being a good team player. Joseph interpreted this as a veiled threat not to rock the boat or speak out against homophobic bullying, according to tribunal filings.

At one point, an assistant coach was taking such aggressive practice shots at Joseph during practice, the puck broke Joseph's goalie stick. That further increased the teen's anxiety and sense that he was being punished for speaking out, the family says.

"Every time (Joseph or his mom) spoke up to inquire about or discuss what (Joseph) was experiencing, he would not be allowed to play," the Human Rights Tribunal application states.

And in March 2017, at an informal team meeting, several parents said the team manager, who is married to the head coach, was referring the Joseph as the "Team Lesbo."

The team manager denies that claim in tribunal filings.

Devilettes deny discrimination

When contacted by CBC News, the lawyer for the Devilettes and coaches named in the claim said she couldn't comment before the matter was heard by the tribunal.

But in filings, the Devilettes organization denies all the allegations made by Joseph and his mother.

(Officials) consistently treated all players on the team fairly and demonstrated respect and concern for all players regardless of any personal characteristics or status - London Devilettes filing to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario

"Prior to receiving the (Human Rights Tribunal) application, the respondents were not aware of (Joseph's) sexual orientation or gender identity," the filings state. "This was never disclosed or raised as an issue by (Joseph) or her parents to any of the respondents at any point in the season.

"As well, although (Joseph) had short hair and would typically wear clothing that is culturally identified as 'boys clothing,' none of this had any bearing on how the respondents treated (Joseph) or on any coaching decisions that were made throughout the season."

The coaches, team manager and director of the competitive program for the Devilettes, who are all named in the Human Rights Tribunal filings, say they "consistently treated all players on the team fairly and demonstrated respect and concern for all players regardless of any personal characteristics or status."

The Ontario Women's Hockey Association (OWHA), which oversees the Devilettes, said fairness and equality is infused throughout the organization.

Fran Rider is the OWHA's president and CEO. She spoke to CBC News in general, not specifically about the Devilettes.

"There is a code of conduct that associations must follow. We have all kinds of policies around bullying and harassment," she said.

"We want to teach people to treat each other with respect and fairness and we integrate those values into everything we do."

The Devilettes website shows that all bench staff must take Respect in Sport (Speak Out) training. Coaches are also required to talk with parents and players at the beginning of each season about behaviour and team expectations.

Lessons for future kids

Joseph's application asks for several things from the Devilettes and those named in the tribunal filings.

That includes $50,000 for "injury to dignity, feelings and self respect," as well as a refund of team fees, registration and therapy costs.

The family is also asking the Devilettes to develop an ongoing, comprehensive training program regarding gender identity, for a formal apology from the head coach, training for coaching staff and board members from PFLAG Canada, and a check and balance system to make sure the training is being applied.

I was taught to speak up if I know something is wrong - Joseph, a transgender hockey player in London

The family also wants the head coach to be banned from coaching.

"I was taught to speak up if I know something is wrong," Joseph said.

"I really felt I need to say something about this, just for a kid in the future who is dealing with this, just so they would know they're not alone in this, that it's happened to other people, and that there are ways to deal with it."

Joseph is now playing on a boys' team and has said he has encountered no discrimination.

His lawyers believe that could be because there has been more pressure on boys' hockey organizations to train their staff about discrimination and gender equality.