Sainsburys Told Transgender Woman To Use Disabled Toilet
Sainsbury’s has apologised to a former man now living as a woman after she was told to use the disabled toilets at a Surrey store.
Stephanie Collins, 55, has been a transgender woman for two years and is awaiting an amended birth certificate.
As she left the women’s toilets in the Walton-on-Thames store, she was told by a member of staff she should use the disabled facility.
Sainsbury’s said it is sorry for any offence it caused Miss Collins.
In a statement, Sainsbury’s said: “We pride ourselves on our high standards in customer service, something that clearly has not been met in this instance.
‘Typical of ignorance’
“Our store manager will be writing to Miss Collins to apologise in person. We hope that this will not prevent her from shopping with us in the future.”
BBC Surrey was unable to contact Miss Collins.
According to the Human Rights Commission, transgender is “an umbrella term used by people whose gender identity and/or gender expression differs from their birth sex”, regardless of whether they choose to have gender-reassignment treatment.
Campaigning Guildford councillor Chris Ward told BBC Surrey the incident was typical of the ignorance of status of transgender people.
“People don’t understand,” he said.
“It isn’t their place to make that judgment,” he said. “It’s absolutely vital that people working in retail get training.”
Same Difference 