M&S sparks gender-neutral row after telling customers to use whichever changing room ‘they feel comfortable’ in
MARKS & Spencer has ignited a gender-neutral row after it told customers to use whichever changing rooms “they felt comfortable in”.
Campaigner Jean Hatchet contacted the high street retailer for clarification on its policy last night after she had complained a man had entered the women’s changing area in a store in Yorkshire.
It’s claimed the man had entered while a teenage girl was having a bra fitted.
Hatchet, 53, wrote on Twitter: “Cubicle or no cubicle. Curtain or no curtain. Open space changing or not.
“Men should not have access to any of these female spaces alongside women. @marksandspencer please clarify your policy on female changing rooms.”
In response a spokesperson for M&S wrote: “As a business, we strive to be inclusive and therefore, we allow customers the choice of which fitting room they feel comfortable to use, in respect of how they identify themselves.
“This is an approach other retailers and leisure facilities have also adopted.
“We understand your concerns and I want to make it clear that if any customer was to act inappropriately or cause intentional offence, the necessary action would be taken.”
BACKLASH
The response triggered a backlash from both male and female shoppers, with some even suggesting a boycott of the popular chain if the policy was not reversed.
‘Word Scribbler’ wrote: “Well that's Markies in the bin then, I won't be taking my business to a company who values a man's "feelings" over a woman or girl's actual safety. We have a choice
@marksandspencer and if that's your stance, many women just won't shop with you.”
Another user added: "I can tell you their policy - any man can use the women's changing rooms. If he does something bad, they will deal with it.
“[M&S has] removed the first and most effective line of safeguarding. This shows utter contempt for their core customer base.
'INCREDIBLY DISMISSIVE'
“The arrogance is breathtaking.”
‘Deb’ said: “Are you serious? You simply allow men in if they ‘identify’ as women? Have you gone completely mad???”
Ms Hatchet, speaking afterwards, said: “I am absolutely uncomfortable on my own behalf and even more uncomfortable on behalf of women across the country, especially those who have experienced sexual violence who have a heightened sense of awareness of the male body in their presence.
“The response from M&S was incredibly dismissive.”
A spokesperson for M&S told The Sun Online: “All M&S fitting rooms have lockable cubicles designed to protect each customer’s privacy.
“As a business, we strive to be inclusive and therefore, we allow customers the choice of which fitting room they feel comfortable to use, in respect of how they identify themselves.
“This is an approach other retailers and leisure facilities have also adopted.
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“We have asked our customer to share more detail about their concerns so that we can take the necessary action if another customer was acting inappropriately.”
Previously M&S was caught up in a gender row after a transgender friend of Silent Witness star Liz Carr was stopped from using a men's changing room.
The customer was apparently blocked from entering by three male members of staff, who said: “It’s not like Europe, y’know.”
