****phobia, ************** and ****** is a part of Dischem Cresta store policy

As per usual, my girlfriend and I went to dischem for our monthly purchases e of hygiene and cosmetic supplies. Upon arrival at dischem ferndale we purchased a back brace. The store assistant advised that due to Covid 19 restrictions, I was unable to try on the brace to see if it is indeed a correct fit. He did however advise me that I may try it on at home over my clothes, ensuring that it doesn't come into direct contact with my skin and if it doesn't fit I may return it for one that does fit. When I tried to return it to dischem ferndale I was informed that they were out of stock but fortunately enough he was able to refer us to their sisterly store in Cresta who had the back brace in store. Upon arrival at Dischem Cresta on the 27 August 2020 at around 15:26 we were met by the front line supervisor who instructed us to go and search for the replacement back brace and return to her with the new back brace in order for her to complete the exchange. This is when I held my girlfriend's hand and proceeded as instructed by the Frontline supervisor. We searched for the back brace but they were also out of stock. Upon returning to the till we were now not only consulting with the Frontline supervisor but Courtney, who is the store manager, was also at the till. Courtney explicitly expressed that due to the nature of the relationship with my girlfriend, i.e. *******ual, he does not know the deases of which we carry and does not feel comfortable exchanging this purchase for us. Then to add insult to injury he called for the vitamins and fitness manager, Francois Nel, to confirm his feelings on the matter and he agreed that he wouldn't feel comfortable exchanging these items from people of our nature. Taking into consideration that in front of us was a young Caucasian lady who requested to exchange a knee brace and this was completed for her with no hassles whatsoever. When we questioned his actions Francois Nel then proceeded to tell us that this was store policy and offered us a full copy of the stores policy to read through at our own leisure, but what he returned with was condescending, demeaning and blatantly disrespectful. Mr Nel gave and my girlfriend a one page store sign posing it as a copy of the stores policy. As if this wasn't despicable enough, Courtney the store manager has my girlfriend cornered asking her about the details of her underwear shopping. We tried to find a solution, we asked how do we find a perfect fit without being able to fit the braces and we were met with more unkind and bitter remarks. I honestly fail to understand how in this day and age should a large corporation such as dischem subject it's patrons to ****phoia, ****** and **************. As a former loyal dischem patron it saddens me to say that I will no longer be giving my business to dischem and sincerely hope that they do better for the LGBTQI+ community and all people in general.