Full Breakdown
Wesley Han Sues Soho Grand Hotel Over Restroom Ejection
5/2/2026, 2:49:16 AM
Incident at Soho Grand Hotel
On March 5, 2024, during a private party at Manhattan’s Soho Grand Hotel, non-binary actor Wesley Han entered the women’s restroom. A security guard entered the restroom, asked “Excuse me ladies, have you seen a man enter?” and, upon locating Han in the only occupied stall, ordered them to leave. The guard escorted Han to the men’s restroom, denied them the opportunity to wash their hands, and required them to use the men’s facilities for the remainder of the evening. Han subsequently filed a civil-rights lawsuit in New York County Supreme Court alleging discrimination based on gender identity and expression.
Background & Legal Context
New York State and New York City Human Rights Laws expressly prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression in places of public accommodation. The complaint contrasts these protections with “bathroom bills” enacted in states such as North Carolina, and notes that anti-transgender bathroom statutes exist in 21 U.S. states, including criminal penalties in Florida and Utah and a felony provision in Idaho.
Key Figures & Groups
- Wesley Han – 30-year-old non-binary actor known for roles in *Russian Doll*, *Power Book II: Ghost*, and other productions.
- Soho Grand Hotel – Luxury hotel in Manhattan; its spokesperson issued a statement on compliance with non-discrimination laws.
- Security Guard – Unnamed employee who intervened in the restroom.
- Andrew Ortiz – Attorney with the Transgender Law Center, commenting on the broader prevalence of anti-trans discrimination.
- New York County Supreme Court – Venue for the filed complaint.
Timeline
- March 5, 2024 – Restroom incident at Soho Grand Hotel.
- Following Wednesday – Complaint filed in New York County Supreme Court (exact filing date not disclosed).
Data & Statistics
- Anti-transgender bathroom laws are present in 21 states.
- Notable incidents cited: a 2020 transgender woman shot in Puerto Rico after using a women’s restroom; a 2024 transgender teen in Minnesota suffered a broken jaw over bathroom use; and the 2024 death of trans teen Nex Benedict in Oklahoma following a bathroom-related assault.
Why It Matters
The case tests the enforcement of New York’s gender-identity protections in hospitality venues and may influence how other jurisdictions address similar claims. It underscores the reliance of gender-nonconforming individuals on a “patchwork of protections” across the United States.
Official Statements & Responses
“We are committed to full compliance with all federal, state and city non-discrimination laws, including those protecting individuals on the basis of gender and sexual orientation, and we have always been a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community since our inception. But we cannot comment on pending litigation,” said a spokesperson for the Soho Grand Hotel.
Criticism & Opposition
The complaint notes that several states have enacted legislation limiting restroom access to the sex listed on a birth certificate, reflecting an opposing legal framework to New York’s protections. Such statutes criminalize or penalize transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals for using facilities aligned with their gender identity.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The account relies on the plaintiff’s complaint; no statements from the security guard or independent eyewitnesses are provided, leaving a gap in corroborating details of the guard’s actions.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I could feel the blood draining from my face instantly because I knew he could only be talking about me, but on the other hand, there was some small absurd part of me that didn’t believe this could be happening,” — Wesley Han, nonbinary actor
- “We are committed to full compliance with all federal, state and city non-discrimination laws, including those protecting individuals on the basis of gender and sexual orientation, and we have always been a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community since our inception. But we cannot comment on pending litigation.” — Spokesperson, Soho Grand Hotel
- “I think these things, unfortunately, happen a lot more than we’re aware of,” — Andrew Ortiz, attorney, Transgender Law Center
- “I did use the restroom once or twice more, but I made sure to go to the men’s room,” — Wesley Han
- “If anything, I tend to receive quite a lot of lovely compliments while waiting in line for a stall,” — Wesley Han
What’s Next
Han seeks compensatory damages for humiliation, emotional distress, and mental anguish, as well as punitive damages to be determined by a jury. The lawsuit proceeds pending further discovery and trial scheduling.
