The nation’s capital, Washington, DC, is home to some of the nation’s most liberal laws regarding transgender equality. Those protections, however, did not stop the manager of the DC location of chain restaurant Cuba Libra, a popular gathering spot located less than 10 blocks from the White House, from tossing a transgender woman for using the bathroom appropriate for her gender identity. The story was reported by the Washington Post.
After warning her not to use the women’s restroom, the manager followed her in and sought her out. Once she exited the restroom, the woman was ejected from the restaurant.
In what might be described as an “oops moment,” the manager did not know the victim is Charlotte Clymer, a spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBT civil rights organization.
Clymer tweeted her experience and within hours political leaders including DC mayor Muriel Bowser and Chelsea Clinton replied.
“I’m so sorry this happened to you. While I’m glad to hear that @DCPoliceDept were there to represent our true #DCValues, we won’t accept this type of discrimination in Washington, DC. It’s not just illegal, it’s against all we stand for,” Bowser wrote. Recently nominated by the Democrats for another term (the Democratic primary election is tantamount to reelection), she has been a strong proponent of transgender civil rights.
Chelsea Clinton chimed in, too: “I am so sorry Charlotte this happened. Not remotely a reflection on you. Thank you for sharing this painful story. As ever, your grace and bravery shine through. Hope you have a great rest of the weekend with your girlfriends.”
The Guidelines issued by the city state, “if an individual, who identifies or presents themselves as a woman, wishes to use the Women’s restroom, they must be permitted to do so even if the individual were to be perceived differently.”
On Sunday, The Hill reported the restaurant had issued an apology via Twitter, writing, “We are extremely sorry for the incident that occurred at our restaurant last night.” The message was followed by a more in-depth statement. The company acknowledged June is celebrated as LGBT Pride Month in many places in the world. “It is particularly disappointing that this has occurred during Pride month when we ‘re undertaking efforts & events to support the LGBT community,” the statement said.
Clymer has yet to reply to the apology from her Twitter account.
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