'Humiliated' non-binary teen 'kicked out' of Monsoon for trying on prom dress
13.04.2022 - 02:05
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
A non-binary teenager says they were left "humiliated" after being told to leave a Monsoon changing room while trying on a prom dress.
Charlie had been out shopping with a friend when the alleged incident, which is now under investigation, took place at the Birmingham store on Monday, April 11.
The 18-year-old student claims that after picking up a dress, they headed into the dressing room, where a member of staff informed them that "males aren't allowed to try our clothes on".
They told BirminghamLive : "We picked up some dresses and went into the changing rooms' individual cubicles. There's only one area, it's not labelled.
"We each went into a cubicle and then as I was putting it on, this voice, which turned out to be a staff member from outside, said: 'Excuse me, males aren't allowed to try our clothes on'.
"I was set back by that, but not wanting to grossly embarrass myself or draw attention, I complied. She said: 'Can you wait outside for your friend?' I waited on a bench outside the cubicle."
But Charlie said, five minutes later, the same member of staff told them to move out of the changing room altogether.
Charlie's friend, who doesn't identify as female but presents "in a more feminine way", was allowed to try on the dresses without any issues, they said.
Charlie, who is studying A Levels at a sixth form in Birmingham, said the store was the first where they found any suitable dresses for the summer prom, which is being held at Edgbaston Park Hotel.
But feeling hurt, unwelcome and embarrassed, the pair decided to leave the store and even cut their shopping trip short, ditching plans to head to Selfridges.
Charlie said they were previously made to feel welcome when trying on skirts at stores like Primark and H&M.