Popular women’s clothing company Topshop has officially changed its policy regarding gender neutral changing rooms.
The uproar over the private changing space began after prominent transgender rights activist Travis Alabanza complained on Twitter.
Hey @Topshop just experienced transphobia in your Manchester store. Not letting me use the changing room I decide is shit, sort it out.
— Travis (@travisalabanza) November 5, 2017
Gendered changing rooms , effect and put queer and trans shoppers at risk from harassment from other shoppers. It’s dated and dangerous
— Travis (@travisalabanza) November 5, 2017
Who made you in charge of deciding who is woman enough to use ur changing room? U just lost an easy sale and money.
— Travis (@travisalabanza) November 5, 2017
Other transgender sympathizers got onboard. Twitter user “ImFragile” contributed his experience.
@Topshop This is disgusting. Train your staff, discipline your staff. Ive had similar experiences too https://t.co/ncCY3TQ7xo
— im fragile (@rhysjharding) November 5, 2017
Alabanza even included examples of progressive changing rooms he deemed commendable.
Here’s an example @TopShopUK of @UrbanOutfitters not being shitty with their changing rooms – look how easy it is??? pic.twitter.com/mqkHkfkP2A
— Travis (@travisalabanza) November 6, 2017
Topshop quickly responded to Alabanza’s complaints by changing its fitting room policy, clarifying that the “fitting rooms are now available for all customers to use.”
Here’s the email they sent me – I hope it helps! Email them too, it was a barrage of emails that got the policy updated (supposedly!) pic.twitter.com/HDP7ww6Udq
— Ferntree (@Fern_tree) November 5, 2017
I understand the danger of discrimination, but the argument that it’s “dangerous” to have separate changing rooms is ludicrous.
As a woman, I’ve been to plenty of changing rooms that are not gendered. The majority of them are free to use for anybody. The only thing that genders them is whoever’s behind the curtain at the time.
If Alabanza is arguing for free and open changing rooms where both genders can freely enter both, then I draw the line. In fact, after running the story, the Daily Mail ran a poll asking whether their readers would be comfortable using gender neutral fitting rooms. Ninety-one percent of respondents said they would not be happy to use a gender neutral changing room.
Especially when the person trying to use it is biologically male, as Travis is.
Excited to be a model for the launch of @OfficialTskenya – a new gender neautral high heel brand for size 8-14 feet follow and support pic.twitter.com/L2cg3N6ZCt
— Travis (@travisalabanza) November 3, 2017
Some shots of rehearsals for Jubilee, we open this week at @rxtheatre tho!!!! pic.twitter.com/REuz7PRfD6
— Travis (@travisalabanza) October 29, 2017
And especially when they sexualize 15-year-old girls, as he did for Halloween.
Going as a 15 year old yt gal for Halloween pic.twitter.com/lIlg4Su6hQ
— Travis (@travisalabanza) October 28, 2017
I don’t care what you wear, who you call yourself, or what size shoe you wear. Nobody’s voice should be heard louder than others when it comes to private spaces like fitting rooms. And when 91 percent of people feel uncomfortable, I’d say majority rules.
Just gunna leave my press night looks here for you, in case anyone was having a bad start to the day pic.twitter.com/3FskFYpjGY
— Travis (@travisalabanza) November 8, 2017