Transgender woman refused entry to female changing room in Debenhams

Hairstylist Jay Campbell said the incident left her ‘crying in shock’

A transgender woman says she was left in tears after being turned away from the female changing rooms in Debenhams and told to “use the gents.”

Jay Campbell, from Lanarkshire in Scotland, visited the Debenhams store in Glasgow hoping to find a dress for her friend’s upcoming wedding.

However, as she went to try it on she claims she was stopped from entering the changing room and told to head downstairs to the men’s section.

“So today I went to Debenhams to pick up my wedding outfit. I went and got it and went to the changing room (female) and was told I can’t use it and to go all the way down stairs to use the gents changing rooms!” Campbell wrote on Facebook.

“I was so upset and sick of having to explain myself! I was about to spend a fair bit of money on the outfit but after being treated like a freak I threw the dress at her and went to the House of Fraser to pick a different one and all I can say is that the staff at Frasers were so nice and helpful.

“I won’t be shopping in Debenhams ever again,” she continued.

“Debenhams are transphobic!”

The 25-year-old has been living as a woman for the last two years, and taking female hormones since the start of this year.

Speaking to the Daily Record, Campbell explained that she walked to the male section “crying in shock” before being comforted by two other members of staff.

“I told her I was transgender and she still insisted I used the gents. When I got there, the two women were the complete opposite – they were kind and helpful. They asked what was wrong and I told them.

“They were shocked and told me I should have been allowed to use the changing room up there. They also told me they had been trained in how to deal with these situations.”

In response to the claims made by Campbell a spokesperson for Debenhams told The Independent: "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.”