A woman says her night out took a humiliating turn after a security guard at a Boston hotel kicked her out of a women’s restroom and demanded she show ID to prove her gender.
Ansley Baker, 28, and her girlfriend Liz Victor, 27, were attending a Kentucky Derby party at the Liberty Hotel on May 3 when the disturbing incident unfolded. Both are cisgender women.
Baker told reporters that while she was using the women’s restroom, a male security guard stormed in, began banging on the stall door, and accused her of being a man.
“I’m a Woman”
“I hadn’t even tied my shorts yet,” said Baker. “I walked out and there was a security guard just standing in the middle of the bathroom right in front of my stall, telling me to get out, that I was a man in the women’s room.”
Victor was by the sinks and rushed over after hearing the commotion. “I looked down and saw her shoes, and that’s when I was like, ‘What is going on?’” she said.
Despite telling the guard she was a woman, Baker says she was escorted out of the restroom and asked to show her ID. “I gave him my ID because there’s this huge guy standing there intimidating me in the bathroom,” she explained. “It was just humiliating overall.”
“Get Him Out of Here”
As the couple left the restroom, Baker says she was shouted at by other women waiting in line, who said things like “Get him out of here” and “He’s a creep.”
The couple claims that once they reached the hotel lobby, the security guard again demanded their IDs to verify gender. Things got heated, and they were eventually asked to leave the property.
The hotel initially claimed in a statement that “several women alerted security of two adults sharing a bathroom stall.” Baker and Victor have firmly denied this. “Obviously there was only one person in there. It should’ve been case closed,” said Victor.
Hotel Responds
Following an investigation, the Liberty Hotel announced that the security officer involved has been suspended. The hotel also confirmed that all staff will undergo retraining on inclusive practices and guest interactions.
They also noted that the general manager had reached out to both women. However, Baker said only Victor had been contacted, while she received “absolute radio silence.”
“My Worst Nightmare Came True”
Baker says the incident was one of the most distressing experiences she’s ever had. “Honestly, my worst nightmare came true,” she said. While she’s used to “weird looks” in restrooms, she said the fact that someone in a position of authority acted on that judgment was deeply upsetting.
Victor added, “Trans women experience this every single day in the U.S. and across the world.” The couple says they hope sharing their story helps others and brings awareness to the everyday discrimination many still face.
