A Minnesota teenager has filed a discrimination complaint against a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant. The 18-year-old alleges that a server followed her into the women's restroom and demanded she prove she was a girl. The incident occurred in Owatonna, Minnesota, in April.

According to the complaint, the server banged on the stall door and stated that it was a women's restroom and a male needed to leave. The teenager, who is not transgender, said she told the server she was a lady. The server reportedly responded that she had to leave. The teenager then unzipped her hoodie to show she has breasts. The server then left the restroom without further comment.

The organization Gender Justice, representing the teenager, filed the charge with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. They argue that the server's actions violated the state's Human Rights Act, which protects against discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. Gender Justice stated that the server's actions were based on assumptions about the teenager and that Minnesota law protects against discrimination based on stereotypes.

The organization also noted that this incident reflects a broader issue of suspicion towards individuals who do not conform to traditional gender expectations. They highlighted that while this teenager is not transgender, the situation raises concerns about the experiences of transgender individuals who frequently face harassment in public restrooms. Minnesota is among the states that explicitly prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation in public accommodations.

Original article (owatonna) (minnesota)

Actionable Information: There is no actionable information provided in this article. It reports on an event and a legal complaint, but it does not offer any steps or advice for readers to take.

Educational Depth: The article provides some educational depth by explaining that Minnesota law protects against discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation, and that this protection extends to public accommodations. It also touches on the broader societal issue of suspicion towards individuals who don't conform to traditional gender expectations. However, it does not delve deeply into the specifics of the Human Rights Act or provide historical context for such laws.

Personal Relevance: The article has personal relevance in that it highlights potential discrimination that individuals might face in public spaces, particularly restrooms. It raises awareness about legal protections against such discrimination in Minnesota and touches on issues that may affect transgender individuals and those perceived as not conforming to gender norms.

Public Service Function: The article serves a limited public service function by reporting on a legal complaint that brings attention to potential discrimination and the existence of legal protections. However, it does not offer official warnings, safety advice, or emergency contacts.

Practicality of Advice: No advice is given in the article, so its practicality cannot be assessed.

Long-Term Impact: The article's long-term impact is minimal. It informs readers about a specific incident and a legal complaint, which could contribute to a broader understanding of discrimination issues, but it does not provide guidance for lasting personal change or societal improvement.

Emotional or Psychological Impact: The article might evoke feelings of concern or empathy regarding the incident described. It could also raise awareness about the challenges faced by individuals who are subjected to discriminatory treatment, potentially leading to a greater understanding of these issues. However, it does not offer strategies for coping or empowerment.

Clickbait or Ad-Driven Words: The article does not appear to use clickbait or ad-driven language. It reports on an event in a factual manner.

Missed Chances to Teach or Guide: The article missed opportunities to provide more practical information. For instance, it could have included information on how to file a discrimination complaint in Minnesota, what resources are available for victims of discrimination (beyond mentioning Gender Justice), or more detailed explanations of the Minnesota Human Rights Act. A reader interested in learning more could look up the Minnesota Department of Human Rights website or resources provided by organizations like Gender Justice.

The text uses strong words to describe the server's actions. It says the server "banged on the stall door" and "demanded she prove she was a girl." These words make the server seem aggressive and unreasonable. This helps the teenager's side of the story by making the server's behavior sound bad.

The text presents the organization Gender Justice's viewpoint as fact. It states, "They argue that the server's actions violated the state's Human Rights Act." This presents their interpretation of the law as the only correct one. It does not include any other possible interpretations or the restaurant's side.

The text suggests a larger problem without direct proof from this single event. It says the incident "reflects a broader issue of suspicion towards individuals who do not conform to traditional gender expectations." This connects the specific incident to a wider societal problem. It uses this connection to support the idea that the server's actions are part of a bigger pattern of discrimination.

The text highlights that the teenager is not transgender. It says, "The teenager, who is not transgender." This detail is used to show that the server's actions were based on assumptions. It implies that the server wrongly assumed the teenager was transgender. This helps to frame the server's behavior as discriminatory even though the teenager does not identify as transgender.

The text conveys a strong sense of indignation and unfairness regarding the incident at Buffalo Wild Wings. This emotion is evident in the description of the server's actions: "demanded she prove she was a girl," "banged on the stall door," and "stated that it was a women's restroom and a male needed to leave." These phrases highlight an aggressive and accusatory approach, suggesting that the teenager was treated unjustly. The strength of this emotion is moderate to strong, as it forms the core of the complaint. Its purpose is to establish that a wrong has been committed, thereby justifying the filing of a discrimination complaint. This emotion guides the reader to feel that the teenager was treated poorly and unfairly, aiming to create sympathy for her situation and build a sense of shared outrage against such treatment.

Furthermore, the text evokes a feeling of concern and worry about broader societal issues. This is most apparent when Gender Justice states that the incident "reflects a broader issue of suspicion towards individuals who do not conform to traditional gender expectations" and that it "raises concerns about the experiences of transgender individuals who frequently face harassment in public restrooms." This emotion is presented as a significant concern, aiming to broaden the reader's understanding of the incident's implications beyond a single event. The purpose here is to inform the reader about a larger problem and to encourage a more empathetic and understanding perspective towards marginalized groups. This emotion helps guide the reader's reaction by fostering a sense of shared responsibility and encouraging a more inclusive viewpoint, potentially inspiring action or a change in opinion regarding gender identity and public spaces.

The writer uses specific word choices to amplify these emotions. Words like "demanded," "banged," and "harassment" are more emotionally charged than neutral alternatives. The narrative structure, which presents the event from the teenager's perspective and then connects it to the legal and social context through Gender Justice, serves as a form of personal storytelling that increases emotional impact. By detailing the teenager's experience of having to "unzip her hoodie to show she has breasts," the text creates a vivid and somewhat uncomfortable image, emphasizing the humiliation and vulnerability she faced. This personal detail makes the abstract concept of discrimination more concrete and relatable, thereby increasing the emotional resonance and steering the reader's attention towards the human impact of the alleged discrimination. The repetition of the idea that Minnesota law protects against discrimination reinforces the argument and the sense of injustice, making the message more persuasive by highlighting a violation of established rights.