Girl’s Father Sues After Store Bars Him From Dressing Room

A Canoga Park man who was not allowed to help his young daughter try on clothes in a dressing room filed suit this week against J. C. Penney Co. Inc., charging sex discrimination.

John S. Hamilton said he was helping 5-year-old Leah try on clothes in the chain’s Northridge store Nov. 22 when sales personnel told him he must leave the dressing room.

He said he was told that men who enter girls’ dressing rooms are viewed by the public as “molesters and voyeurs.” Hamilton said store employees told him mothers could help their small sons try on clothes, however.

A Penney attorney said Hamilton rejected a suggestion that he and his daughter use a private dressing room in another part of the store.

The suit, seeking unspecified damages, was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court.