A transgender woman has filed a human rights complaint against a Canadian bridal shop after the owner stopped her from trying on wedding dresses.

Rohit Singh, from Saskatoon in southern Canada, says she asked to try on a dress in Jenny’s Bridal Boutique and was refused.

The shop owner thought Singh was a man and said other people in the store would be uncomfortable with Singh trying on a dress, CBC News reports.

‘She said, “Sorry we don’t allow men to wear dresses here”,’ Singh said. ‘I said I’m not a man, I’m transgender.’

Singh has now filed a formal complaint with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission.

‘It’s not just my battle,’ she said. ‘It’s the battle for all the transgendered community, which are discriminated day by day from all society.’

After the story received international media attention, dozens of people gathered in front of the downtown store to protest and show their support for Singh.

The bridal shop owner says she stands by her decision, who has chosen to remain anonymous.

She said: ‘He looked like a man. There was quite a few brides in the store. If you see a man trying on dresses, you’re going to feel uncomfortable.

Singh found a red gown at My Lynh Bridal, just a six minute drive away, where she described the service as excellent. She got married at the end of April.

In March, Canada’s House of Commons passed a bill making it illegal to discriminate against transgender people.

It is now awaiting a second reading in the Senate, but is awaiting a sponsor for the bill. Until one is chosen, it will not be discussed.