US: Austin transwoman denied service at lingerie shop
A Texas transwoman was denied service at an Austin lingerie store, Petticoat Fair, after being asked to provide identification stating she was female.
The woman, Kylie Jack, was also told she needed to have bottom surgery before being able to have a fitting.
The woman posted her experience on Facebook and called for a boycott of the store until they improve their policies. Since the 28 June post, supporters of Jack have flooded Petticoat Fair’s social media accounts expressing their disappointment and disgust.
In a statement released 29 June on Facebook, store owner, Kirk Andrews explained the store’s actions, stating: “The dressing room area is a particularly private and vulnerable place for many women and girls, so it’s a protected area.”
The statement went on to say that Jack was asked to go to a separate dressing room to have a “delicate conversation privately” about her gender identity.
Andrews states: “Despite our otherwise inclusive approach, those who might be or who outwardly appear to be men (regardless of how they are dressed) pose a delicate challenge, and in the case of imposters, can pose a safety risk to the Petticoat Fair staff.
“If it’s unclear whether a customer is a man or a woman, we err on the side of caution as a protocol, but never on the side of discrimination or intolerance.”
In a Facebook post today, the store states they are planning to meet with members of the transgender community, including the Transgender Education Network of Texas, to clarify their policies.
