Walgreens adopted a new restroom policy that will allow customers to use whatever bathroom corresponds to their gender identity following backlash on social media when a Walgreens manager didn’t let a manly-looking woman use the ladies’ restroom.
After Jessie Meehan went to a Walgreens store in Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles and was denied entry to the women’s bathroom because a manager thought she was a man, Meehan paired up with Southern California’s American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to make a video sharing her experience, the New York Post reports.
The video was published to YouTube, and Meehan also wrote to the company describing what she says was a humiliating experience.
“This in itself was very humiliating for me and I felt extremely uncomfortable,” Meehan wrote.
Walgreens officials indicated in a statement that customers will now be able to use whatever facility corresponds to their gender identity, regardless of their birth sex. They won’t have to “prove” their gender identity in any sense, like providing a doctor’s note or official documentation.
WATCH:
“Everyone needs safe restroom access, and California law protects every person’s right to access restrooms based on their gender identity in workplaces, schools, and business establishments,” ACLU staff attorney Amanda Goad said in a statement. “It’s important for businesses to make sure their employees understand that requirement, just like Walgreens is now doing.”
Jessie, who identifies as a member of the LGBTQ community, explained that she had always like shopping at Walgreens because of its support for her community, so she was especially hurt by her experience.
The Daily Caller News Foundation is working hard to balance out the biased American media. For as little as $3, you can help us. Make a one-time donation to support the quality, independent journalism of TheDCNF. We’re not dependent on commercial or political support and we do not accept any government funding.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.