Page 16 - IAV Digital Magazine #550

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Walgreens Cashier Won’t Ring Up Condom Sale Due To Religious Convictions
The alleged refusal by a Hayward Walgreens cashier out of report- ed religious convic- tions to ring up the sale of condoms for a Twin Cities woman Sunday afternoon, July 3 is making national news.
Nate Pentz, a Twin Cities Realtor, and his wife, Jess, were in the area over the July Fourth weekend, staying at a cabin they had just recently purchased located 45 miles east of Hayward, when Saturday Jess real- ized she had left her birth control at home. On Sunday, July 3, the couple traveled to Hayward for groceries and thought while in town they would go to Walgreens and refill her birth control pre- scription, but then dis- covered the store’s pharmacy was
closed.
The couple, who have been married for 17 years, decided they would buy condoms. Nate stayed in the car with their dog, George, to keep the car running and the air conditioning on for George, while Jess went inside to buy the condoms.
Inside the Hayward Walgreens there are three rows of con- doms with a variety of brands: Trojans, Skyn, Durex and Lifestyles.
The next time Nate saw his wife as she exited the store, he could tell she was agitated, gesturing to another customer. “When she came to the car she said, ‘I can’t drive. I’m so mad right now.’”
Jess reported to Nate when she went up to the cashier, reportedly named John, that he refused to sell her the condoms because of his faith/religious con- victions, but he would ring up all the other items.
She requested a manager who rang up all the items including the condoms.
“She was embar- rassed in front of three or four other men who were also in line,” Nate said. “When you are buying condoms, it’s really something you don’t want to draw attention to.”
Jess was reportedly told by John, “I hope you have a nice day,” and she responded, “I hope you have the day you deserve.” The couple went
online to Walgreens customer service and lodged a comment that read: “At store #11857 in Hayward, Wi, cashier John refused to sell me condoms because of his ‘faith.’ He pro- ceeded to embarrass me in front of other customers for my reproductive choices.” Nate said he was contacted by Walgreens, which, reportedly said a dis- trict office would investigate.
The “Sawyer County Record” also called the Hayward Walgreens and asked for the manager who would only give his name as Mike. The Record wanted the full name so Walgreens corporate office would know an attempt had been made to talk to local management.
However, Mike did offer up a corporate number to call and a message was left with Walgreens on Thursday, July 7, but as of Friday morning, July 8, Walgreens had not responded.
“It is kind of appalling that something like this would happen,” Nate said. “You’ve got to wonder if he (John) has done this to oth- ers. Just think about a 20-year-old who is
already nervous and insecure about him- self trying to buy con- doms and this hap- pens to him and think of the possible reper- cussions to him (sex- ual diseases or unwanted pregnancy), and I also have to wonder if it is just women he won’t sell to. Does he also do this to men?”
The couple have been contacted by several on social media and some have suggested that the cashier lose his job, but Nate said the cou- ple doesn’t necessari- ly want that, but believes if Walgreens has an employee who has religious convic- tions that make it diffi- cult for him to do his job then the store should have a proto- col of calling up another to ring up the sale without making a scene.
Just like the Sawyer County Record, sev- eral media outlets, including Newsweek and Minneapolis Star Tribune, have been pursuing the story. “I’m a Realtor. I want to be known for real estate, not condoms,” said Nate who had to chuckle when he added, “I don’t want to be known as the condom guy.”
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