Boston Hotel Sued for Discrimination After Security Guard Mistook Woman for Man in Women's Bathroom
A Boston woman who was kicked out of a women's bathroom at the Liberty Hotel after a security guard mistook her for a man is now suing the hotel, alleging that its employees crafted a defamatory cover story to humiliate and intimidate her. Ansley Baker and her partner, Elizabeth Victor, filed the complaint in Suffolk Superior Court last week, naming the hotel and several of its employees and executives.
The incident occurred on May 3 when Baker decided to use the restroom at the Liberty Hotel's women's bathroom. Her partner, Victor, waited by the sink while Baker entered a stall, but a male security guard soon appeared, accused Baker of being a man, and shouted for her to leave. The pair was denied access to the bathroom because of what they look like and their relationship, according to the lawsuit.
After the incident, Baker and Victor complained about the experience on social media, prompting the hotel to panic and later issue a defamatory statement. The statement claimed that the pair were kicked out for engaging in obscene conduct in a stall, but it was later revealed to be false.
The hotel has apologized to Baker and Victor multiple times and spent months working with the state's discrimination commission to address the incident and strengthen its practices. However, their lawyer believes the statement was crafted by executives as part of an effort to cover up the guard's wrongdoing and attack Ansley and Liz for malicious reasons.
Baker and Victor are suing the hotel for discrimination, retaliation, civil conspiracy, and defamation, seeking damages in excess of $10 million. The case highlights ongoing issues with LGBTQ+ rights and access to public spaces.
A Boston woman who was kicked out of a women's bathroom at the Liberty Hotel after a security guard mistook her for a man is now suing the hotel, alleging that its employees crafted a defamatory cover story to humiliate and intimidate her. Ansley Baker and her partner, Elizabeth Victor, filed the complaint in Suffolk Superior Court last week, naming the hotel and several of its employees and executives.
The incident occurred on May 3 when Baker decided to use the restroom at the Liberty Hotel's women's bathroom. Her partner, Victor, waited by the sink while Baker entered a stall, but a male security guard soon appeared, accused Baker of being a man, and shouted for her to leave. The pair was denied access to the bathroom because of what they look like and their relationship, according to the lawsuit.
After the incident, Baker and Victor complained about the experience on social media, prompting the hotel to panic and later issue a defamatory statement. The statement claimed that the pair were kicked out for engaging in obscene conduct in a stall, but it was later revealed to be false.
The hotel has apologized to Baker and Victor multiple times and spent months working with the state's discrimination commission to address the incident and strengthen its practices. However, their lawyer believes the statement was crafted by executives as part of an effort to cover up the guard's wrongdoing and attack Ansley and Liz for malicious reasons.
Baker and Victor are suing the hotel for discrimination, retaliation, civil conspiracy, and defamation, seeking damages in excess of $10 million. The case highlights ongoing issues with LGBTQ+ rights and access to public spaces.