{"id":1448221,"date":"2025-08-22T08:00:53","date_gmt":"2025-08-22T07:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gaytimes.com\/?p=1448221"},"modified":"2025-08-22T11:00:18","modified_gmt":"2025-08-22T10:00:18","slug":"ann-summers-confirms-its-support-of-the-trans-community-our-inclusion-policies-reflect-that","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gaytimes.com\/life\/ann-summers-confirms-its-support-of-the-trans-community-our-inclusion-policies-reflect-that\/","title":{"rendered":"Ann Summers confirms its support of the trans community: “Our inclusion policies reflect that”"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ann Summers is standing up against anti-trans hate by doubling down on their inclusive store policies and practices. <\/span><\/p>\n

Over the last few years, the LGBTQIA+ community, especially our trans and non-binary siblings, have become the target of conservative political figures and hateful bigots. <\/span><\/p>\n

From the 47th president of the United States introducing\u00a0<\/span>harmful executive orders<\/span><\/a>\u00a0that restrict gender-affirming care and ban trans people from participating in sports,\u00a0<\/span>to the UK Supreme Court ruling that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex<\/span><\/a>, the existence of trans and non-binary people is being continually questioned, undermined and threatened. <\/span><\/p>\n

Anti-trans sentiment has also gone beyond the political sphere, with it slowly infiltrating the media and retail industry. <\/span><\/p>\n

Earlier this month, Marks & Spencer came under fire after they apologised to a mother and her daughter for an interaction they had with an employee, whom they claimed was “obviously trans”.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

During the alleged exchange, the employee in question approached the pair, who were in the clothing department to schedule a bra fitting, and asked if they needed any <\/span>help<\/span>, <\/span>per<\/span> The Telegraph.<\/span> <\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

In response to the complaint, Marks & Spencer released an apology stating that they were “truly sorry” over the “distress” caused by the interaction. <\/span><\/p>\n

The company also told <\/span>The Scottish Sun<\/span><\/em> that their bra fitting service was only for “female customers”, before adding that they meant “biological females”.<\/span><\/p>\n

M&S’s response was immediately slammed by LGBTQIA+ activists, allies, and customers, <\/span>with many lodging complaints about the company’s handling of the situation and its lack of support for the staff member involved.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

While anti-trans rhetoric seems to be around every corner, there are a handful of businesses that have outwardly expressed their continued support for the trans community, such as Ann Summers.<\/span><\/p>\n

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A post shared by Ann Summers (@annsummers)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n