Non-binary influencer, model and stylist Haron Zaanan (19) said on Thursday that he had filed a discrimination complaint once morest the Drug Opera, a restaurant in central Brussels. A spokeswoman for the Brussels-Ixelles police confirmed the information.
Sunday, January 30 in the evening, an official from the Drug Opera had asked Haron Zaanan to cover his bare shoulders or leave the establishment following, according to management, other customers have complained regarding this attire. Iel (according to the pronoun used to refer to “she” and “he”) wore a bustier. “Just because the manager told me it wasn’t a gender issue doesn’t mean it isn’t. And precisely it is“, estimated Haron Zaanan following the fact.
The scene was filmed and posted on social media. The choice to accede to the customers’ request raises questions, given that wearing a bustier revealing the shoulders is not considered indecent for a cisgender woman (whose perceived gender corresponds to that assigned at birth). The management, who apologized, took the initiative to contact the Institute for the Equality of Men and Women for advice and to learn how to react better in the future in this type of situation.
“Transgender people and those who dress according to their felt gender identity are the targets of much discrimination and harassment. It is also one of the reasons why less than half of trans people live according to their identity of gender, because it is complicated to assume on a daily basis”commented Véronique De Baets, spokesperson for the Institute for the equality of men and women.
“About half of trans people avoid certain places for fear of being attacked.”
According to the European Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), 22% of LGBTQIA+ people have been the target of discrimination in the horeca sector in Belgium. On the basis of the anti-discrimination law of 2007, the injured person can obtain 1,350 euros in civil compensation.
