A woman has described the “dehumanising and humiliating” moment staff at a Subway restaurant allegedly called the police on her – after she took “too long in the toilet”.
Dasia Jones, from Maryland, US, was in a Washington DC Subway during the Pride parade when the alleged incident occurred.
After suffering a “serious wardrobe malfunction” on the strapless denim jumpsuit she was wearing, she went into the restaurant and asked to use their facilities so she could sort herself out.
But she was stunned when, less than five minutes later and while she was still trying to fix her outfit, police officers banged on the door – having apparently been called by staff members.
She claims she was “forced” out of the bathroom with her breasts exposed to diners, and says that when police realised the issue, they instructed staff members to open the bathroom again.
But when the officers left, Dasia claims the employees kicked her out once again – and says they threatened to “put her on the street half naked”.
She described it as a “dehumanising and humiliating story from hell” and feels she has been discriminated against.
“The confusion and humiliation I felt was unbearable,” Dasia told NeedToKnow.online.
“I feel like if you didn’t want me in your bathroom, just say no, I would have tried to go somewhere else. This was just the closest accessible place to get myself together.
“My anxiety was at full speed and I felt mentally stripped just as much as I was physically.
“I was also very surprised when customers decided to turn a blind eye to the situation instead of helping. I was told by a customer that I deserved to be naked because of my outfit of choice.
“The employers just have no respect for humanity whatsoever. I knew during that moment that people are going to know about how disgusting this establishment is.”
Sharing on Twitter, Dasia wrote: “I had a serious wardrobe malfunction during DC pride this weekend to the point where my crotch up to my breast were exposed to the public.
“I went inside the Subway and asked if I could use the bathroom and explained my situation.
“The employees said yes only to call the police on me 5 minutes after because I took too long to fix my outfit.
“I hadn’t even been in there for 5 minutes. My line sister and I are working frantically to fix my outfit.
“The police came banging on the bathroom door while the employees yell at me to get out. At this point I am in tears because I thought I was going to get arrested for no reason!!
“I was forced out of the bathroom while my breast are exposed in a crowded Subway. As I am publicly embarrassed and am in tears, my zipper broke and could not be fixed!!
“The officer saw how severe the wardrobe malfunction was and ordered the employees to open up the bathroom for me again.
“After the cops left, the subway employees kicked me back out of the bathroom with me clenching on to my clothes for dear life.
“I am diagnosed with anxiety so now I am hysterical as people are watching me be dehumanized and publicly humiliated.
“The Subway shop threatened to put me street halfway naked because I was a ‘disruption’. I was told by a customer that I deserved to be naked because of my outfit of choice.
“I feel stripped of my rights to even feel confident and beautiful. I literally stood in the subway holding my breast clenched over crying because I felt hopeless and the subway tried to call the police again!!
“Nobody helped all they did was watch me go through this. One lovely person gave me their transgender flag to wrap around my body so I would no longer be exposed. The subway has no care for a black LGBT woman in distress!!
“I have been suffering from extreme anxiety and I have been feeling very sick to my stomach. I am in so much mental pain from this situation.
“I am just thankful that I didn’t get a crooked cop because that could’ve been the end of my life due to a wardrobe malfunction.”
The post went viral, racking up more than 7,800 likes and leaving viewers horrified.
One user commented: “Wow I’m so sorry u had to go thru any of this, this is insane!! Really hope the word gets around for everyone to stop supporting them.” [sic]
“This is so awful, sorry that it ruined your day,” another person said.
Someone else added: “I’m sorry, you didn’t deserve this. Especially not during what’s supposed to be a safe space for you.”
Dasia has filed an online complaint with Subway but is yet to hear back.
Jam Press has contacted Subway for comment.
