Florida Nightclub Allegedly Kicks Out Transwoman After She Used Women's Restroom

A transwoman in Florida was reportedly kicked out of a nightclub after she used a women's restroom.

Piper Ayers, who identifies herself as a transwoman, was with her friends at the Dixie Roadhouse in Cape Coral on Sept. 2 when she reportedly encountered the humiliating ordeal. Ayers was expecting to have a fun night with her trans friends until she was stopped by security personnel for using a women's restroom at the club, NBC 2 reported.

Although the sign at the entrance of the nightclub read "If you are racist, sexist, homophobic, or just a jerk... don't come in," Ayers said her experience was quite contrary to the inclusive sign.

When Ayers and her friends asked why she was not allowed to use the women's restroom, guards reportedly told them they "don't allow men to use the women's restrooms."

She was dressed in crop top, skirt and heels but has not legally changed her name and gender. So when she went to talk to the manager of the nightclub, he pointed to the name on her ID.

Sean Kelliher, another person present at the nightclub, tried to explain to the staff that Ayers identifies herself as a woman.

"This is a woman, a trans woman, and you need to understand what that is. This is not a drag queen or a cross-dresser. This is a trans girl, and you need to treat her as a lady," Kelliher said, WFLA reported. However, the staff reportedly refused to listen.

"The next thing you know, they grab a hold of me and start shoving me out the front door," Ayers said. "I just felt worthless. Like I wasn't a person, or I didn't have feelings or emotions. Just no respect."

According to the National Center for Transgender Equality, although there is no official guideline on restroom access in public places for transgenders, those who face discrimination due to their gender identity can raise a complaint with human rights agencies.