Topshop abolishes women-only changing rooms and makes all of them unisex

TOPSHOP have decided to abolish women-only change rooms after one trans feminine customer was turned away from the female fitting room.

Topshop's UK spokeswoman said Topshop and Topman fitting rooms were available for all customers to use.

FASHION giant Topshop has abolished separate changing rooms for men and women, revealing they were now “gender-neutral” after a complaint from a customer in the UK.

Performance artist Travis Alabanza, who identifies as “trans feminine”, was wearing a dress and make-up at Topshop’s Manchester store last weekend.

Travis queued to try items on but was told to go to Topman — the retailer’s male arm, The Sun reports.

Travis later asked the store via Twitter: “Who made you in charge of deciding who is woman enough to use your changing room? You just lost an easy sale and money.” The company then issued a statement saying they were gender-neutral.

The fitting room changes have not been implemented in Australia.

These are some in urban outfitters. Locker style. Secure space, x pic.twitter.com/NhJnm4BoIN

— Travis (@travisalabanza) November 5, 2017

It is understood the policy changed in the summer but staff were not clearly informed.

A spokeswoman for the store, which is popular with teenage girls, said: “The Topshop and Topman fitting rooms are available for all customers to use.”

However, one customer fumed online: “That’s Topshop scored off my list of places to shop with teenage daughters.”

I am completely in love with friendships between other trans feminine people of color. [photo: Karan Katoch] pic.twitter.com/yaBio37zRa

— Travis (@travisalabanza) October 23, 2017

A mum said that “a flimsy curtain” was not enough to deter people spying on “little girls” trying on clothes.

But another mum said “pervs” were just as likely to be female, adding: “Most changing rooms are monitored anyway.”

News.com.au has contacted Topshop Australia for comment.

This article originally appeared in The Sun and has been republished with permission.