(Charlotte Clymer. Image source: Channel 4 News YouTube screenshot)
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DC restaurant fined $7k for questioning transgender activist who used women's restroom
January 18, 2019
Cuba Libre also agreed to post signs stating patrons may go to whichever bathroom aligns with their gender identity
Washington, D.C., restaurant Cuba Libre has been hit with a $7,000 fine after questioning a transgender activist who used its women's restroom and a manager tried to insist the patron show identification proving to be female.
What are the details?
On June 22, Charlotte Clymer went to the restaurant to attend a bachelorette party for a friend. Clymer identifies as a woman and made the transition from being a man in November 2017.
According to Clymer's account of the June incident to MetroWeekly, when she went to use the women's restroom at Cuba Libre, an employee stopped her and asked for her to show identification. Clymer refused and used the women's facility. Upon exiting, she was approached by the same employee and a manager who insisted that, according to D.C. law, a person must be designated as a "female" on their ID in order to use a women's restroom in the city.
Clymer — who works in communications for the LGBT advocacy group Human Rights Campaign — argued that she was, indeed, protected under D.C. law and pulled the legislation up on her phone. The next day, Clymer claimed via social media that she had been "forcibly removed from the restaurant."
Clymer used her Twitter platform to stress the alleged hostility of the Cuba Libre manager and explained that she felt compelled to expose the "violent nature" of the incident in hopes that it would prevent discrimination against other transgender individuals who might not have her level of privilege.
I cannot stress enough the intentionality of this incident. The manager was hostile, condescending, and hateful. And my biggest fear is that this will happen again to someone without my privilege. Someone who's not white, doesn't have a wide network, doesn't know the law, etc.
— Charlotte Clymer🏳️🌈 (@cmclymer) June 24, 2018
So, this weekend, I have tried my best to articulate this story and communicate the violent nature of what took place on Friday night while also trying to be present for my friends and what was meant to be a celebratory weekend with girlfriends.
— Charlotte Clymer🏳️🌈 (@cmclymer) June 24, 2018
Clymer hired a law firm to represent her in filing a civil rights complaint against the restaurant, prompting an investigation from D.C.'s office of the attorney general.
D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine announced Wednesday that the restaurant had violated the District's Human Rights Act by failing to have a written policy ensuring compliance "with regard to restroom facilities" and "did not provide adequate training to employees." The restaurant was issued a fine, ordered to implement new training for staff, and has agreed to "post clear signage that, under D.C. law, everyone is allowed to use the restroom that matches their gender identity or expression."
As part of the settlement, Cuba Libre must:
* Institute policies on civil rights compliance and train staff
* Post clear signage that, under #DC law, everyone is allowed to use the restroom that matches their gender identity or expression
* Pay a $7,000 penalty
— AG Karl A. Racine (@AGKarlRacine) January 16, 2019
How did the restaurant respond?
Cuba Libre issued a series of apologies and updates to the incident via social media. The employees involved in the incident with Clymer were terminated.
@cmclymer We are extremely sorry for the incident that occurred at our restaurant last night. Please view our full response below: pic.twitter.com/gfQ2Ne7GhY
— Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar - Washington D.C. (@CubaLibreDC) June 23, 2018
We are deeply sorry to @cmclymer for the incident that occurred last Friday night. Thank you to Ruby Corado and the @CasaRubyDC team for partnering with us to train our staff and to identify other initiatives that will support the transgender community. pic.twitter.com/Du7w83jAqR
— Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar - Washington D.C. (@CubaLibreDC) June 25, 2018
We'd like to issue an update in regards to our collaboration with @CasaRubyDC. We're moving forward with this initiative in order to learn and grow from the experience. Everyone is welcome at Cuba Libre. pic.twitter.com/46StHDIDYZ
— Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar - Washington D.C. (@CubaLibreDC) July 6, 2018
I am pleased to announce that we have come to a satisfactory resolution with Charlotte Clymer relating to the June incident at our Washington, DC restaurant. Please view the attached joint public statement regarding this resolution. Barry Gutin, CEO, Cuba Libre pic.twitter.com/AbeNn3Ba47
— Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar - Washington D.C. (@CubaLibreDC) August 31, 2018
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Breck Dumas
Breck is a former staff writer for Blaze News. Prior to that, Breck served as a U.S. Senate aide, business magazine editor and radio talent. She holds a degree in business management from Mizzou, and an MBA from William Woods University.
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