A transgender woman named Dylan Miles has sued a Manhattan, New York, based yoga studio for $5 million for forcing her to use the men's locker room. According to court papers reviewed by The New York Post on May 20, 2023, Miles stated that she is in the process of "transitioning into [a] woman,” undergoes hormone therapies, and wears women's clothes.
As per her recent filing, the Arizona native showed up at Hot Yoga Chelsea on West 27th Street in Manhattan on May 4 for a 5 p.m. session.
The yoga class's management told Miles she couldn't use the women's locker room or bathrooms, but she went anyway, the filing says. This made other women there upset, and Miles was asked to leave. The court papers read:
“Female patrons … complained and yelled at Miles about Miles’ presence and use of the single-sex locker room and bathroom labeled women, and they demanded Miles leave and cease using the facilities.”
Reportedly, this is the third case of gender-identity discrimination filed by Ali Miles, who goes by the name Dylan Miles, in the last 13 months.
Twitter reacts to Dylan Miles and Manhattan yoga studio's controversy
After the news of Dylan Miles suing the Manhattan-based yoga studio went viral, Twitterati was divided. In a post made by The Daily Loud, several users slammed Miles for trying to victimize herself and misgendered her. One of them also suggested that she should have used to restroom at her home instead of a public place.
Others hailed Dylan Miles for suing the studio while stating it is high time to have three washrooms so that it is comfortable for everyone.
While speaking to The New York Post, a witness said that the attendees of the yoga class comprises of several trans men and women but they have had never faced a situation like this up until Dylan Miles.
“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. 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% man. There were things hanging out.”
The witness said that Dylan Miles was "completely naked" as she crouched down on the floor, and the scene was "very uncomfortable for one of the women that was in there."
As of writing, the yoga studio has not responded to the controversy or their stance on the situation.