Ann Summers ‘proudly’ confirms that trans women are welcome to use its bra fitting services

Trans people still have a right to use Ann Summers’ facilities consistent with their gender identity, a spokesperson for the chain has said.

The lingerie and sexual health brand reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the “inclusivity, support, and dignity” for all customers, including trans people, who enter their branches.

A customer service spokesperson said in an email seen by PinkNews that trans people still have a right to request services, such as bra fittings, or use gendered facilities, such as changing rooms or toilets, consistent with their gender identity and expression.

“We proudly serve and support transgender individuals”

“We believe that all people, regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation, should be treated with dignity and respect,” the statement continues. “Our inclusion policies reflect that, and we proudly serve and support transgender individuals as part of our services and team.”

A spokesperson confirmed this to PinkNews, saying that its fitting rooms and bra fitting services are “available to anyone who wishes to use them.”

“We believe everyone deserves to feel confident and supported when shopping with us, and our colleagues are trained to ensure that every customer receives respectful, personalised service,” they continued.

Earlier this month, British retailer Marks & Spencer garnered criticism for claiming its bra-fitting services are designed for “biological females” only, following a row over an allegedly trans staff member asking a customer and her daughter if they needed help while shopping in a store.

A mother and her daughter had complained to M&S after the staff member, who she claimed was “obviously” trans, had asked if they needed assistance in the clothing section of a local branch. The 141-year-old retailer responded saying it was “truly sorry” over the “distress” the interaction had reportedly caused the pair.

An M&S spokesperson later told the Scottish Sun that its bra-fitting service was for “female customers,” which they said meant “biological females,” adding that “all our bra fitters are female.”

Ann Summers committed to trans inclusion, spokesperson says

Asked by a concerned customer whether its bra fitting services would remain trans-inclusive in the wake of the row, an Ann Summers spokesperson wrote: “As discussed in our staff training, an ally is a person who supports equal civil rights, gender equality, LGBTQ+ social movements, and who challenges homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia both publicly and privately.

“This principle extends to our bra fitting services, our hiring, and our day-to-day workplace culture.”

The lingerie chain said it is committed to allowing its customers and staff to “express their identities without fear or judgement” and is “proud” of its track record on support for the LGBTQ+ community.

“Please rest assured that Ann Summers is committed to maintaining an inclusive and affirming environment for all members of the LGBTQ+ community,” they continued.

Concern over whether trans people can use facilities exclusive to their gender has arisen after the FWS v Scottish Ministers Supreme Court judgement ruled that the 2010 Equality Act’s definition of women refers to “biological women.”

The unanimous judgement, which judges said should not be seen as a “triumph of one group over another,” has since been used by the Equality and Human Rights Commission to issue interim guidance that effectively bans trans people from spaces consistent with their gender and, in some cases, their birth sex too.

The non-statutory guidance has prompted businesses to preemptively ban trans people from gendered facilities associated with their gender, despite the EHRC’s finalised guidance not yet being published.

Virgin Active, a chain of private gyms in the UK, recently informed customers of updates to its Club Rules stating that facilities must be used based on “biological sex.“