Transgender woman sues yoga studio after being told to use the men’s locker room

According to the filings, Ali Miles, also known as Dyan Miles, informed management at Hot Yoga Chelsea of intentions to use non-gender-specific bathrooms and locker rooms. When Miles was informed that the facility did not have non-gender-specific locker rooms, the studio was told that Miles intended to use the women's facilities.

Management informed Miles that the women's facilities were off-limit for use as well. After taking the class, Miles disregarded the studio's rules and went into the women's locker rooms and was subsequently directed to exit the space and told to use the men's facilities.

“Miles use of a single-gender locker room and bathroom labeled Men, made Miles suffer shame, humiliation, and frustration, Miles, against Miles wishes and intent was forced to use a locker room and bathroom that was not most closely aligned with Mile’s gender.” the suit said.

Miles is suing under New York State Executive Law § 296(2)a, which prohibits discrimination “because of the … sexual orientation of any person… To refuse, withhold or deny to such person any of the accommodations, advantages, facilities or privileges thereof.”

Miles is also suing under New York City Human Rights Law § 8-107(4), which says “it shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice for any person, being the owner, lessee, proprietor, manager, superintendent, agent or employee of any place or provider of public accommodation, because of the actual or perceived . . . sexual orientation . . . of any person, directly or indirectly, to refuse, withhold from or deny to such person any of the accommodations, advantages, facilities or privileges."

Miles claimed that the gym is considered a “provider of public accommodation.

According to the New York Post, other patrons told them, “We have other transgender people [at the studio].” They continued, “We have several trans women and several trans men, and there has never been a problem… it’s this individual.”

“This person who claims to be a transitioning woman came into the female locker room, number one, in male shorts that were down to his knees.” They said. “ Although there could be some hormonal addition because his bust is bigger than mine, he did not wear any feminine top to cover his bust. He also de-robed, and he is a full male. There’s 150 percent man. There were things hanging out.”

They said, “He was crouched down on the floor in front of the shower stalls. It was very uncomfortable for one of the women that was in there and she was completely naked.”

The person concluded, “This person started in immediately with reciting the law, and why would you do that? Because this person could see that there were other women, amongst myself, that were notably upset…This person, I don’t know if they come to these places to try to start a problem or whatever.”

The report noted this is the third gender-identity discrimination lawsuit that Miles has filed with the city in the last 13 months.