Investigation underway after pre-op transgender woman is told she can't use ladies toilet at shopping centre
08:35, 23 AUG 2013 UPDATED 09:00, 23 AUG 2013
BY DAILYRECORD.CO.UK
RIVER SONG, 18, alleged that a security guard at the St James Centre told asked her if she had a sex change and asked to see ID.
River Song at St James CentreRiver Song at St James Centre
POLICE have begun a hate crime investigation after a woman waiting for a sex change said she was barred from a ladies’ toilet.
River Song, 18, claimed a security guard at a shopping centre told her: “You are a male and always will be.”
She said she fled in tears, but the guard then followed her through the St James Centre in Edinburgh and made other comments about her.
River, who is waiting for sex change surgery, added: “At one point he said, ‘It’s got a penis’, which is so offensive.
“I have never been treated so badly and felt so humiliated.”
River said she and fiance Jake, who is also transgender, suffered abuse every day, but her ordeal at the centre was the worst of her life.
She added that she had used the ladies’ toilets at the centre for two years without problems.
Recalling how the guard stopped her outside the loos, she said: “He pulled me aside and asked if I’d had a sex change.
“I couldn’t quite believe what I was hearing but I answered him, saying no.
“He then asked me, ‘Why have you used the female bathrooms if you haven’t had a sex change?’
“He asked for my ID, which I showed him. As he glanced at it, he said, ‘This is a male. You are a male and always will be a male.’”
Police confirmed they went to the centre on Monday to investigate the allegations and said inquiries were ongoing.
A spokesman added: “Police Scotland treat all reports of hate crime seriously and work with partner agencies to provide support, advice and guidance to anyone who believes they have been a victim.”
Transgender support groups were horrified by the claims. James Morton of the Scottish Transgender Alliance said it was not the first case of its kind, and added: “Abusing a trans woman by calling her ‘it’ and demanding to know whether she has had genital surgery is unlawful harassment.”
The St James Centre refused to comment.
Read more at
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/investigation-underway-after-transgender-woman-2210251#t7XLYRAj3xCuDEPu.99
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So I assume Jiggy you would be totally against the officer?