TROUBLE IN STORE I was utterly humiliated when staff wouldn’t let me use ladies’ changing room

Jay’s fury as she claims Debenhams made her use room on gents’floor

me I had to use the gents all the way on the first floor.

“I then told her I was transgender and she still insisted I used the gents and was not allowed to use it.

“I was very shocked, hurt and embarrassed. When I walked away with my friend, I looked back and seen her whispering to her fellow co-worker which made it worse.” Jay said the incident reduced her to tears. she added: “I went down to the gents crying and upset and in shock. When I got there the two women down there were the complete opposite to the woman upstairs – they were kind and helpful.

“They asked me what was wrong and I told them what had happened and they were shocked, and told me I should have been allowed to use the changing room up there and that they are unisex.

“They also told me that they had been specifically trained in how to deal with these situations!

“After using the gents’ changing room, I decided I didn’t want the dress as I was furious. I was going to be spending a lot of money in there that day and they have missed out. I won’t be spending a single penny in there again.

“I am in early stages of my transition but I shouldn’t need to justify myself.

“We went back upstairs and my friend Katie told the assistant that she was out of order and all she said was sorry and that these were the regulations despite the assistants downstairs saying something completely different.”

The hairdresser said that shopping for clothes is stressful enough without being judged

She said: “Shopping in the women’s section was one of the hardest things I have done. I was worried in case people thought I was a pervert, a freak or a weirdo.

“It’s hard and very stressful, I want Debenhams to apologise and make sure that the assistant gets sent on proper training to be educated.”

The hairdresser, who works in Motherwell, said that this should not put anyone off being themselves.

She added: “Be brave and don’t give up and always be proud of who you are!”

A Debenhams spokesperson said: “We are sorry for any distress caused to the customer.

“Debenhams changing rooms are not gender specific and we welcome customers to use a fitting room of their choice.

“We are currently investigating the incident as a matter of urgency.”