Legal Action Against Soho Grand Hotel Over Alleged Discrimination
A non-binary actor is taking legal action against the Soho Grand Hotel following an alleged incident that they claim was discriminatory. The case centers around an event in March where the actor, Wesley Han, was allegedly forced out of a restroom at the hotel. This incident has led to a lawsuit that claims the hotel violated New York laws protecting against discrimination based on gender identity and expression.
Background on the Incident
Wesley Han, known for their work in projects such as Russian Doll, Power Book II: Ghost, and Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens, filed the lawsuit after what they describe as a “distressing” experience at the Soho Grand Hotel. According to the filing, Han attended an event at the hotel on March 5 and was allegedly accosted by security personnel who questioned their presence in the restroom.
Han, who identifies as queer and non-binary, is described in the complaint as someone capable of portraying a wide range of characters, including both male and female roles. On the day of the incident, Han was wearing an outfit that they consider “unmistakably feminine-coded,” which included women’s slacks, heels, earrings, a purse, and a Dion Lee blazer.
The Event and the Confrontation
The complaint states that Han chose to use the women’s restroom because they wanted to avoid provoking harassment or being “off-putting to other restroom users.” It also notes that Han had never experienced any discomfort from cisgender women while using the women’s restroom in the past.
According to the filing, Han entered a stall in the women’s restroom when they heard a loud voice from the foyer asking, “Excuse me ladies, have you seen a man enter?” After the women in the area responded with “No, I don’t think so,” a male security guard reportedly entered the women’s bathroom and confronted Han.
The Aftermath
The security guard reportedly approached Han’s stall and told them to come out. Han, who was startled and humiliated, complied. Despite requesting to wash their hands, the security guard allegedly escorted them to the men’s restroom without allowing them to do so in the women’s restroom.
The complaint describes the treatment as “humiliating” and highlights that Han has never experienced similar treatment in their years living and working in New York City. The suit emphasizes that Han chooses to live in large metropolitan communities because they are usually places where diversity of identity, gender expression, and artistic life is more widely understood and accepted.
Legal Claims and Hotel Response
The document alleges that the Soho Grand Hotel treated Han like they were “dangerous, predatory, or sexually deviant simply for using the restroom that corresponded with their gender expression and presentation that evening.” It also claims that the incident violates New York laws, specifically the New York State Human Rights Law and the New York City Human Rights Law.
According to the New York State Attorney General’s website, individuals have the right to use facilities that align with their gender identity, regardless of their sex assigned at birth, the sex or gender indicated on their identification, their anatomy, medical history, or appearance.
Regarding the incident, the Soho Grand Hotel shared a statement with the media, noting they “cannot comment on pending litigation.” The statement emphasized the hotel’s commitment to compliance with all federal, state, and city non-discrimination laws, including those protecting individuals based on gender and sexual orientation. It also stated that the hotel has always been a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community since its inception.
The actor’s representative has not yet responded to requests for further information.
