Which stores are most friendly to crossdressers?
June is Pride month and with how many businesses changing their social media profiles to rainbows you’d think EVERYONE loved us. And why wouldn’t they? We’re all so cute.
I can’t speak for every single business out there, but if we look at the major chains (such as the Targets and Walmarts and Starbucks of the world), all of them want our money, and they want people to shop at their stores. Of course no store has a written discrimination policy. It all comes down to training their employees to treat every guest/shopper with great customer service. I can’t imagine any company explicitly writing in their training manual to be rude/mean to members of the LGBTQ+ community. That being said, some companies do more than others to make their shoppers feel more welcome and included than others. A few years ago Target announced that guests at their stores are invited to use the restrooms and fitting rooms that align with their gender identity.
However, does this mean every t-girl and crossdresser will have a trouble-free shopping experience at Target? No. Remember, stores are run by people. Stores are visited by people. Target’s corporate policy seems to be inclusive, but the company’s mission statement can only go so far. Sure, the cashier was trained to provide friendly customer service, but if they hate transpeople there’s a chance they’ll be rude to a girl like us, no matter what Target’s policy is. Same thing with customers. The first time I went out en femme I went to Target and the employees were nice, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a customer or two looked at me in a less than friendly way.
When it comes to a local business, I am a lot more confident I am welcome there if they have a “All Are Welcome Here” sign in their window, or something similar. Businesses in more liberal parts of a city are likely to have more experience with someone from the LGBTQ+ community than a more rural area. And yes I know there is an overly generalized statement and there are exceptions to everything. I wish I I could provide a list of all the stores in the world that are friendly to the LGBTQ+ community but that is impossible. Really the only way you’ll know is if you go there and decide for yourself if they deserve your money.
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Love, Hannah
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Hannah McKnight 
I have never really had a problem anywhere. By far the most friendly has been Ulta. I go there every 6 weeks for to get my hair done and brows waxed and tinted. They are awesome.
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I live in a very conservative area and trust when I say this I’m tall have those darn male broad shoulders and I go out almost once a week as as Rachael and I have never had an issue.
Yes I’ve sensed a few whatever kinda things from some but no rude words or really looks.
So it’s just a matter of getting out there, don’t act strange or uncomfortable just be you and it will be fine, just like you say Hannah we are just customers
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I’ve been lots of places to shop the last 4+ years without an issue. My favorite store by far though is Nordstrom. I’ve been in 7 different ones in three different cities (St. Louis, Chicago, Cleveland) and been treated well at all.
Macy’s is generally a good choice because they have few staff and lots of changing rooms.
Among cosmetics, I’m a Sephora girl and highly recommend them.
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i’ve been to a Thai massage and spa shop to get my nails done. Last time i had my waxing there too. They are very friendly with me. I don’t go wearing a wig or a dress really but i’m wearing feminine jeans and a t-shirt. Plus i let my hair grow long and got a feminine cut too this year.
i also go to a clinic to get my hair removed. They are ok but don’t want to laser certain areas not sure why. So those areas i got waxed last time at the thai place.
At Marks & Spencer’s in Sliema, i usually bought some underwear and she tells me it can’t be returned the first time i did it. Then more recently i went again and bought some women’s jeans. They had to look them up for me as the one i wanted from their website wasn’t available somehow… It was ok. I used the male changing room to be safe. Most times i buy online but sometimes i brave it in person. Malta is lgbtiq+ friendly but I wouldn’t like to meet some work colleague..
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