A female acquaintance of mine was recently denied service at a barbershop. She identifies herself in conversations as transgendered or gender neutral, though it must be made clear that she was denied service because she was female.

Through a conversation with the receptionist, it was surmised that catering their business to a male-only clientele had nothing to do with their insurance premiums, their equipment/facilities, nor the personal opinions of their staff members. It was merely a business policy, which they were quoted likening to a 'female-only gym'.

Acquaintance was so perturbed by the refusal of service, she returned a second time to question staff members about their policy, and from their discussions she quoted them as saying that they recognized gender variance and that they would cut the hair of "transmen".

Acquaintance is taking her problem to the local newspaper.

For the purposes of context, we live in a major metropolitan area in southern Ontario, Canada. The barbershop is located in the city's commercial hub. Acquaintance identifies herself sexually as a lesbian.

Questions: Is this discriminatory behaviour? Which party is in the wrong? I have an opinion but I don't know where to stand.