Cosmopolitan responds to backlash over report on banned transgender guest

By Las Vegas Sun Staff (contact)

Published Wednesday, April 27, 2011 | 4:35 p.m.

Updated Wednesday, April 27, 2011 | 5:01 p.m.

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is receiving backlash today after a report surfaced on a hotel and lodging blog that a transgender guest was banned for life from the hotel-casino for using the women’s restroom.

The guest, who HotelChatter.com identified as a "pre-op trans" named Stephanie, said upon leaving the women’s room she was taken out of the resort by security guards, told she was trespassing on Cosmopolitan property and she would be arrested if she didn't leave. She said she was photographed and told she was banned from returning to the hotel.

Since the blog was posted, commenters have flooded the Cosmopolitan’s Facebook page with complaints on the reported incident.

When asked about the incident, Cosmopolitan officials noted to the Las Vegas Weekly, a sister publication of the Las Vegas Sun, the hotel is a Travel Alternatives Group-approved resort.

In a statement Wednesday afternoon, Cosmopolitan officials said they regretted the incident and would "welcome her back to the resort anytime."

“The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is committed to maintaining a community that recognizes and values the inherent dignity of every person, by fostering sensitivity, understanding and mutual respect of our guests and employees," according to the statement. "We sincerely regret any misunderstanding or inappropriate actions that any member of our staff may have taken. And to ensure increased sensitivity within this area, the organization will focus on continued training and on-going awareness initiatives. In addition, we apologize to the individual guest and welcome her back to the resort anytime. Again, we would like to apologize to the LGBT community and anyone concerned and hope to demonstrate our firm dedication to fair and unbiased treatment of all.”