Topshop and Topman make all changing rooms gender-neutral after complaint from transgender customer

Topshop and Topman have abolished gendered changing rooms in its stores
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Patrick Grafton-Green9 November 2017

Topshop and Topman have introduced gender-neutral changing rooms in all their stores.

The annoucement comes after a transgender customer claimed they were refused access to female cubicles in a Manchester branch.

Travis Alabanza, who identifies as trans-feminine, wanted to try on dresses at the store but said staff told him to use the male changing room downstairs in Topman instead.

A tweet read: “Hey @Topshop just experienced transphobia in your Manchester store.

“Not letting me use the changing room I decide is s***, sort it out.”

Travis said that gendered changing rooms "put queer and trans-shoppers at risk from harassment from other shoppers" and claimed "it's dated and dangerous."

“Who made you in charge of deciding who is woman enough to use your changing room? You just lost an easy sale and money,” Travis added.

Following the complaint, the company issued a statement confirming that their changing rooms were in fact gender-neutral spaces.

It is understood the policy was changed in the summer but staff had not been clearly informed.

A spokeswoman for Topshop and Topman said “All Topshop and Topman customers are free to use any of the fitting rooms located within our stores.”

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