Transgender woman files lawsuit alleging discrimination by North Fayette hotel supervisor

A transgender woman is suing Extended Stay America for wrongful termination, alleging that a manager there fired her because she dressed like a woman at work.

Kimberly Grinage, who was born male but identifies as a woman, filed the complaint in federal court on Thursday.

In addition to the hotel chain, Grinage also names as a defendant Matthew Figurski, her supervisor at the hotel on Chauvet Drive in North Fayette.

Figurski said Friday morning that he had no comment on the lawsuit.

A spokesperson with Extended Stay said they have not yet been served with the lawsuit and therefore cannot comment on it, “except to say that we are committed to providing an inclusive, equitable and welcoming environment for all employees, guests and visitors.”

According to the complaint, when Grinage spoke with Figurski prior to being hired, Figurski asked if she was Christian. Grinage said yes.

Because of the question, the lawsuit continued, Grinage did not reveal that she was transgender.

According to the complaint, Figurski held himself out to be a Christian who conforms to “traditional gender roles and expectations, and expects his subordinates to conform to his interpretations of Christianity and gender roles.”

However, after starting employment there, the complaint said, Grinage was encouraged to “be yourself.”

“In light of said encouragement, Grinage came to work dressed in attire that is traditionally associated with women,” the lawsuit said.

Some co-workers mocked and harassed Grinage, who reported the harassment to management.

Figurski’s response was, “I can’t help you. I don’t want a transgender person here. If you are going to do that, I have to get rid of you,” the lawsuit said.

Afterward, Grinage called the company’s hotline and reported concerns about Figurski, the complaint said.

A short time later, the complaint continued, Figurski cornered Grinage and demanded that the report be retracted.

Afterward, the lawsuit said, Figurski harassed and made insulting comments to Grinage two to three times per week.

The lawsuit alleges that Figurski demanded Grinage to “ ‘rate’ the physical attractiveness of female customers.”

Then, the lawsuit said, in September Figurski told Grinage she should be fired on the basis of sexual orientation, and that if he had known it before, he would not have hired her.

“ ‘You are a guy, not a girl,’ ” the lawsuit said Figurski said. “ ‘You need to quit with that. If you continue to act that way, I am going to fire you.’ ”

Grinage was terminated on Sept. 15.

The reason stated for the termination, the complaint said, was that Grinage did not call police for an incident at the facility as required and that people complained about Grinage’s clothes and the mask she wore to protect against covid-19.

The lawsuit notes that Grinage is a cancer survivor, who wore a specialized mask for additional protection against the virus.

The lawsuit includes claims for sex discrimination and creating a hostile work environment, retaliation, religious discrimination, negligent training and wrongful termination.