22-06-2013, 05:50 PM
(This post was last modified: 22-06-2013, 05:51 PM by Demon Lord Etna.)
Lenneth, I personally have no objections singling anyone out. Everyone else, here comes the rant. TL;DR as necessary. If they're wrong, they're wrong. If their wrongness results in the store losing sales, even if it's just one sale, those in the seat of power must be made aware. There is more involved than simply one incident. Let's look at this from the business aspect (I knew all those years of college would pay off someday).
You entered a store, expecting to make a purchase. This particular employee actively and aggressively disrespected you because of your gender, and yes, this was gender discrimination. Before anything else, this employee on that one incident should be fired for violating the corporate equal opportunity program, or at the very least, required to attend formal training on said program.
Your first incident cost the store that one sale, but your second has, apparently, cost that store a lifetime of sales. Not only that, but word of mouth is very powerful advertising. Simply by having discussions like this one, other transgendered individuals would most likely avoid that store as well, simply on principle. Add the sales of tolerant and sympathetic people who just happened to see you being escorted out for something so ridiculous, because I'm pretty sure that at least some of them won't be going back either. That adds up to a lot of sales over time.
Now, imagine if the scene went the other way... not only were you not kicked out, but the staff was actually friendly and helpful. You would probably feel more inclined to return to that store, and that same word of mouth advertising from the previous point that cost them potentially millions in TG sales, just became a gold mine for them as people like us start going there to get the service and respect we deserve and expect from someone who, if nothing else, wants our money.
You entered a store, expecting to make a purchase. This particular employee actively and aggressively disrespected you because of your gender, and yes, this was gender discrimination. Before anything else, this employee on that one incident should be fired for violating the corporate equal opportunity program, or at the very least, required to attend formal training on said program.
Your first incident cost the store that one sale, but your second has, apparently, cost that store a lifetime of sales. Not only that, but word of mouth is very powerful advertising. Simply by having discussions like this one, other transgendered individuals would most likely avoid that store as well, simply on principle. Add the sales of tolerant and sympathetic people who just happened to see you being escorted out for something so ridiculous, because I'm pretty sure that at least some of them won't be going back either. That adds up to a lot of sales over time.
Now, imagine if the scene went the other way... not only were you not kicked out, but the staff was actually friendly and helpful. You would probably feel more inclined to return to that store, and that same word of mouth advertising from the previous point that cost them potentially millions in TG sales, just became a gold mine for them as people like us start going there to get the service and respect we deserve and expect from someone who, if nothing else, wants our money.