Transgender teen slams Tesco staff who rejected his ‘female ID’ when he tried to buy tobacco

A TRANSGENDER man was refused service at a supermarket because staff didn't believe his female ID belonged to him.

Charlie Diesel, 19, who started living as a man two years ago, was turned away from Tesco after trying to buy tobacco using his passport as identification.

The furious teen returned to the Bedford store to try and reason with workers, but was told by the manager he was refused service because "the passport presented was that of a female".

Charlie said the way he was treated was "unacceptable".

"It just felt so insulting," he said.

"This has never happened to me before.

"I have been through border control four times with this passport and never had an issue, but after this it occurred to me this may be happening to lots of people so I had to speak out.

"In this day and age, when the transgender community are not hiding themselves, people just cannot be allowed to discriminate."

Charlie was later invited back to the store to discuss the matter and was handed a £20 voucher as a goodwill gesture.

But he refused to accept the money on principle.

He is now telling his story to highlight discrimination against the transgender community.

Charlie added: "I look quite young so it didn't bother me when I was asked for ID and I handed over my passport, which I got two years ago but he refused to serve me for no reason.

"I was furious so I went over to my friend and told him what happened. He convinced me to go back and get answers."

The pair went to the customer service desk to explain the situation and the duty manager was called.

Charlie said: "I showed her the passport and she agreed it was legitimate but she refused to speak to the staff member in front of me and just kept repeating 'this is not discrimination', but it clearly was."

In this day and age, when the transgender community are not hiding themselves, people just cannot be allowed to discriminate.

Charlie Diese

Charlie has received support from the LGBT charity, Stonewall since the incident on Sunday, October 16.

A spokesman said: "Trans people still face prejudice on a daily basis, whether in the form of indirect discrimination, unjust and abhorrent hate crime or the legal barriers still faced by the community.

"It's vital we step up as allies, calling out transphobia whenever we see it."

Chris Page, who runs Beau Bedford, a social and support group for the LGBT community, added: "In this day and age it is upsetting to think people are still living in the stone-age and if anyone faces discrimination I urge them to contact police."

A spokesman for Tesco admitted Charlie was not served as he 'appeared different' to his photo ID.

He added: "We have a 'Think 25 policy' and our customer was not served as they appeared different to their photo ID.

"Everyone is welcome at Tesco and it is never our intention to cause any offence."

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