Hi all!
Whilst this post may be applicable to all, I appreciate that its responses from the UK that I'm seeking. [I've been dithering about whether I should post in the UK forum] its a UK discrimination thing, I guess.
Maybe I'd got complacent. I know I look predominantly male at the moment, though with some differences. [I appreciate I'm yet to get a decent photo up here, take it from me - or www.myspace.com/kelso1962 - I don't look like my avatar!], but I've shopped for female clothing in every leading store this country has. I've never had a problem. I've been welcomed, staff have always been friendly and changing facilities have never been a war zone.
A couple of weeks ago I went to my local New Look to find a pair of jeans, Size 10 must be damned popular as it took ages to find a pair I liked and that fit into my price range [ie cheap!]. I went to the changing room and the girl who was controlling the room looked at me in total confusion. A supervisor was also there and said 'I'm sorry, men aren't allowed in the changing rooms'. She then noticed my breasts and got really confused. She ummed and arred but, after some obvious internal conflict, decided her original statement was valid.
I was actually speechless. [yeah, ok, its not so far fetched as it sounds!], I felt so embarrassed and humiliated - but part of me tried to see her point of view.
I slunked [is that a real word???] out of the shop with my tail firmly between my legs. The first time that I've ever been refused the right to try on clothes.
After I calmed down a bit, I phoned the branch up to complain to the manager. As it happened the manager was having a day off and I was talking to the supervisor who had refused my access to the changing room. She apologised, I told her that I was'nt male, nor female, but a jolly combination of both. She read me her company policy [she'd just been re-reading it to make sure she had'nt acted incorrectly] and that policy was to refuse a 'male' use of the changing rooms. Which leads me to wonder why I've shopped at dozens of New Look shops which have, apparently, been breaking their own rules.
I'm in a real quandry where I can sort of see their point - I would'nt want men in the same changing rooms as me - but as I don't see myself as a guy - and physically I'm not - I really don't know where i stand on a complaint front. I know many of you girls are far more advanced in UK legislation than I am, I want to complain, but what are my grounds?
What really annoys me is that it was New Look of all places. I know New Look very well from decades ago. Way back when, they started out in the market trade at the same time my parents did. I remember, as a child, the times when the Singh family had problems and needed to get their stock to Exeter market and my parents helped out and loaded their stock in our old estate car and took it in for them. It just seems so ironic that the only discrimination I've ever experienced came from the same firm my parents helped get going! Ce la vie!
I want to complain, but where do I stand?
So much love - and may the changing rooms of this country gain the freedom they deserve!
Rae xx
www.raekelcou.com