Posted on 07/03/2007 9:52:45 AM PDT by BJClinton
NEW YORK (AP) -- A bouncer at a popular West Village restaurant ejected a lesbian customer from the bathroom after last month's gay pride march because she looked too masculine, the woman charged Monday.
Khadijah Farmer, 27, said the incident happened June 24 at Caliente Cab Company on Seventh Avenue South, where she had gone with her girlfriend and another friend to have dinner after the march.
Farmer said she was using the women's bathroom when a male bouncer burst in and banged on the stall door, saying a customer had complained that there was a man in the women's room.
"I said, 'I am a woman and I am where I am supposed to be,'" Farmer said. "I offered to show him some identification. I was told that's neither here nor there."
Caliente Cab Company, a Mexican restaurant known for its enormous margaritas and checker-cab decor, did not immediately return a call for comment.
Farmer said the bouncer escorted her to her table and forced her party to pay their check and leave.
"I felt embarrassed and humiliated," said Farmer, a Manhattan resident who works as a counselor at a residential program for people with disabilities. "I'm just hurt that even my wanting to prove that I'm female wasn't enough."
Farmer is being represented by the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund, which is demanding that the restaurant train its staff not to discriminate on the basis of gender identity and expression. No formal complaint or lawsuit has been filed.
New York City law prevents discrimination on the basis of gender identity.
Farmer is not a transgender person, but she said her appearance is masculine enough that she is sometimes mistaken for a man.
"I'm never upset with that," she said. "I say very kindly, 'I'm female.' Usually I get, 'I'm so sorry.'"
Sure looks like a guy.
lol, that was Shakespearian.
That’s a good question. I’ve heard the Mardi Gras tradition of tossing beads to chicks who flash went back to a female-only event in New Orleans that men would try to sneak in to and that’s how they would check.
Maybe use that?
I liked the color of his shirt.
shurg
He looks better with contacts.
clapclap ter
WHO WHO do you think is gonna check?
It’s a lawsuit one way or another.
I cut down trees, I eat my lunch,
I go to the lavatory.
On Wednesdays I go shopping,
And have buttered scones for tea.
;o)
Someone might mistaken Janet Reno for a man but thats no reason to kick her out of a womans restroom... This has nothing to do with being a lesbian. She’s a woman using the womens restroom... The restaurant is at fault.
Then what????
Is it just me, or does she remind you of Dwayne from What’s Happening?
Only sometimes???
Who on earth would ever even consider the notion that 'she' might be female?
After this sort of thing happened a couple of times, most people might think "gee, maybe it's time to get a makeover".
That is, unless you're a homosexual activist who is intentionally trying to make others uncomfortable and feel guilty when you correct their obvious and completely normal initial impressions. .
That's just wrong. LOL
I bet in a few years, she'll look more like "Rerun."
The who who checker :)
I disagree. If one wants to be recognized as a woman, one must dress and groom themselves in an obvious manner. The burden is hers.
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