While the Philippines is mostly tolerant towards transgender women, this acceptance is — for the most part — still on the surface level. Many Filipinos are still ignorant about what it means to be trans, a reality Paulo Adrian Bataller recently experienced in an H&M store.
Bataller, who identifies as a woman, shared in a viral but now-deleted Facebook post from Wednesday that she was barred from trying on a swimsuit in one of the fast-fashion giant’s stores in Metro Manila.
“I don’t usually post stuff like this on social media but in the spirit of pride month I decided to speak up,” she started her post.
Apparently, she was about to enter the fitting room in H&M’s Gateway Mall branch in Cubao when one of the store’s staff members stopped her.
“At first I was taken aback, and when I tried to defend my self, I was just shut off and it made me feel helpless,” Bataller told Coconuts Manila.
Bataller said she was told that men couldn’t fit women’s swimsuits. She then explained that she’s transgender and questioned the policy.
According to Bataller, the salesperson said it’s because the clothes get damaged when men try them on.
She said she would pay for the piece if it does get damaged, however, the salesperson and the store manager, who was later consulted, still did not allow her to try on the swimwear.
“As someone who works in the fashion industry, I am deeply disappointed. No one should ever be restricted in fitting or buying the clothes they want, regardless of gender,” Bataller said in her Facebook post.
“Take note, the staff who didn’t allow me is gay and I thought he would be more understanding. Instead, he just raised his voice and emphasized that I’m a man. As someone who identifies herself as a woman, this is very hurtful and offensive,” she continued.
In a statement sent to Coconuts Manila by H&M Philippines Head of Communications Dan Mejia, the company called the incident “unacceptable.”
“We are shocked at the treatment that Pau, our customer, received from one of our colleagues … that was totally unacceptable and we are very sorry for the experience she had, that should never happen to her or anyone,” the statement reads.
H&M also said that it has taken action and are coordinating with both Bataller and the staff of the aforementioned branch.
“[We] have now taken immediate corrective actions in order to avoid this from happening again,” it said.
When Coconuts Manila asked Bataller why she thinks incidents like this happen, she said it’s because of a lack of awareness.
“I think it is the lack of awareness and education to the people about the LGBT community,” she said.
She ended her Facebook post with a message to other trans women.
“[T]o anyone who will experience what I experienced today, don’t be afraid to speak up and uphold your right.”
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