When it’s the middle of summer and 100 degrees outside, all people really want is to stay cool and comfortable. So what’s so bad about beating the heat by wearing a pair of shorts? Well, apparently wearing them can get you thrown out of a shopping mall.
In a Facebook post, 19-year-old Gabrielle Gibson shared her experience of being harassed and kicked out of The Shoppes at Bel Air in Mobile, Alabama. She claimed this happened all because of the shorts she was wearing.
The post, which has been shared nearly 3000 times, stated:
“I was literally harassed and kicked out of the Bel Air Mall in Mobile, AL today because of what I’m wearing. Apparently grown men couldn’t contain themselves so I get kicked out. Security officer J. Mathis initiated that he was looking at my ass cheeks and it was a problem. Don’t look at my ass then there’s a thought? As well security officer Davis and head of security Jim Chavis were extremely rude and completely unprofessional about the situation. I told them I have bigger thighs and its just to hot for jeans that I can’t help they ride up a bit. It doesn’t bother me then it shouldn’t bother you. They went as far as to threaten to call a police officer. From what I seen today everyone had short shorties on. I mean come on it’s August and 100° outside. I don’t know why I was pinpointed. I’m just disgusted with the behavior of all these people. I was just having a good time trying to look around. Everyone can share this. This whole incident has made me embarrassed…”
In an interview with Teen Vogue, Gibson said she felt “violated and harassed.” She also said she “got out of there as fast as [she] could, but got everyone’s names first. So many girls have reached out and said the same man has done the same thing to them.”
In a statement to WKRG, the shopping mall said: “Given the high degree of importance we place on maintaining a family-friendly shopping environment, our policy requires all of our customers to dress in a manner that reflects our code of conduct. Anyone who violates this policy will be asked to change or to leave the premises.”
Do you think it was fair for the mall to kick her out because of her outfit? Share in the comments.