Minnesota Teen Says Buffalo Wild Wings Server Harassed Her In Women’s Bathroom

OWATONNA, MN — A Minnesota teenager has filed a discrimination complaint against Buffalo Wild Wings, claiming she was harassed by an employee while using the women’s restroom at the chain’s Owatonna location.

According to progressive advocacy group Gender Justice, 18-year-old Gerika Mudra, who is biologically female, was followed into the restroom by a server who accused her of being a boy, banged on the stall door, and demanded she prove she was female.

The employee allegedly blocked her from leaving until she unzipped her hoodie to show she had breasts. Gender Justice says the incident violates the Minnesota Human Rights Act and has asked the state Department of Human Rights to investigate.

“What happened to Gerika Mudra was not just wrong, it was unlawful,” said Sara Jane Baldwin, senior staff attorney at Gender Justice. “Minnesota law protects people from exactly this kind of discrimination in public spaces. No one should be harassed, humiliated, or forced to prove themselves just to use the bathroom.”

“We know Gerika was targeted because of how she looks,” said Shauna Otterness, Mudra’s stepmom. “She didn’t do anything wrong. She just didn’t fit what that server thought a girl should look like. I was shocked and heartbroken by how many people shared similar stories after I posted about it online. This shouldn’t be normal. We can do better, and we have to.”

Patch has reached out to Buffalo Wild Wings for comment.