Australia: Trans teenager says supermarket cashier ‘laughed in face’ over old ID
A transgender teenager in Australia has filed a complaint, after a supermarket cashier laughed in his face when looking at his ID.
The 19-year-old man, who wishes to remain anonymous, told the Sydney Morning Herald he was refused cigarettes by an employee at Woolworths supermarket (not affiliated with the defunct UK chain) in Wollongong, because he had not been able to update his ID since transitioning.
The teen said: “She looked at me funny, and said it wasn’t me in the photo.
“I’ve got a bit of facial hair from testosterone I’m taking, and in my photo I haven’t got any. She laughed in my face when I told her my situation.
“I’m transitioning and I don’t want everyone to know yet. She was so loud everyone turned around. I was so embarrassed.
“I’m a strong person, but I wouldn’t want this to happen to someone not as strong-willed as me.”
A Woolworths spokesperson said: “As the staff member was unable to satisfactorily verify the age of the customer the sale was refused.
“Our understanding is the customer did not explain their situation. The customer has made contact with us and we will discuss it directly with them.”
Kelley Glanney of Carmen Rupe Memorial Trust told Gay News Network: “[It is] imperative that Woolworths and other employers implement strategies to ensure their staff are aware this kind of behaviour is not acceptable and make it ever clearer that they understand that as good corporate citizens, they have moral, ethical and legal obligation to respect the legal right and human dignity of all Trans* and gender diverse people.”
