Vegas Hotel Apologizes to Trans Woman (for banning her from hotel after using bathroom)

[JackBeck]

The woman was not only forced to leave but banned for life from the hotel after security guards asked to see her identification following a trip to the restroom earlier this month. "Upon leaving the restroom, says, two security men whisked her out of the hotel, told her that she was trespassing on Cosmopolitan property and that she would be arrested if she did not leave," the Las Vegas Weekly reports. "She says that they photographed her (and her driver’s license) and told her that she was banned from ever returning to the hotel."

The Cosmopolitan — a new Strip property known as trendy and gay-friendly — released an apology Tuesday: “The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is committed to maintaining a community that recognizes and values the inherent dignity of every person, by fostering sensitivity, understanding and mutual respect of our guests and employees.

“We sincerely regret any misunderstanding or inappropriate actions that any member of our staff may have taken. And to ensure increased sensitivity within this area, the organization will focus on continued training and on-going awareness initiatives. In addition, we apologize to the individual guest and welcome her back to the resort anytime.

“We would like to apologize to the LGBT community and anyone concerned and hope to demonstrate our firm dedication to fair and unbiased treatment of all.”

http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2011/04/27/Vegas_Hotel_Apologizes_to_Trans_Woman/

From what I've read, her license still listed her sex as 'male.' The guards also asked her if she was at the hotel 'working', even though she told them she was staying at the hotel attending a conference. Yet another example of the bias trans people face when trying to safely access or merely use public accommodations without an incident.

http://www.towleroad.com/2011/04/las-vegas-hotel-bans-trans-woman-for-life-for-using-bathroom.html

Imagine how it would feel if you had to think about whether or not this could happen to you every time you wanted to use the bathroom. The bathroom was, this case, completely empty.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

1. T*s have the hardest time and get the least support...

*sigh*

[JackBeck]

2. Totally agree.

In my experience, people have an incredibly hard time identifying the every day non-trans privileges they enjoy.

[JackBeck]

3. Apologies in advance to the rubberneckers.

There isn't a YouTube video of her being dragged out against her will.

:patriot:

[Kurovski]

4. K&R

"community that recognizes and values the inherent dignity of every person, by fostering sensitivity, understanding and mutual respect "

That's a great statement, and I will respect the criminals who take part in any attack on a trans individual when they've paid for the crime, and apologized.

[JackBeck]

5. "Value the inherent dignity of every person

By fostering sensitivity, understanding and mutual respect."

Sounds like rules we should all live by. But then again, maybe I'm just a politically correct nelly for trying to respect those that I share this planet with.

[ThomCat]

6. I saw that this had happened when it was posted elsewhere.

I couldn't believe that the hotel would be trying to advertise to the LGBTQ community, get a good rating for equality and fair treatment to attract our business and money, but had not bothered to train their staff.

It shows that they had not bothered to have even the most basic of sensitivity training, or training in customer service and manners, to have something like this happen.

Do they really think that an apology is going to get people to us to forget this and want to walk in there?

I love Vegas. It is my favorite city to visit. It's been too long since I've been back. But I can't travel anymore, and I wouldn't set foot in that hotel if I could. I wouldn't trust that the service has improved just because someone in management issued a paper apology.