Case of black, transgender woman allegedly harassed at hotel settled
Saw this today;
The case of a black, transgender woman who alleged she was harassed at a local hotel because of her gender identity and race has been resolved, according to a press release sent on Wednesday by the ACLU of Iowa.
“The ACLU of Iowa is pleased to report we have successfully settled Meagan Taylor’s case to the satisfaction of the parties involved,” the release said.
In November, Taylor filed a complaint with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission claiming the harassment occurred in July when she and a friend stopped for the night at the West Des Moines Drury Inn. The pair were traveling through Des Moines on their way from Illinois to a funeral in Kansas City.
After they checked in and went to their room, a hotel manager called the police. She described their dress as “a little bit over the top” and said she wanted to make sure “they’re not hookers,” according to a 911 call. Taylor was arrested and charged with possession of prescription drugs without a prescription and malicious prosecution, a charge generated after she gave a fake name, West Des Moines police said. She spent eight days in segregation before supporters raised enough money for her bond. The charges against her have since been dropped.