Press Release  MCAD Reaches Settlement with the Liberty Hotel Following Gender- and Sexual Orientation-based Discrimination

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD or Commission) has secured a final Order by Consent in its Commission Initiated Complaint against Merritt Hospitality LLC d/b/a HEI Hotels and Resorts operating as the Liberty Hotel (the “Liberty Hotel”). The complaint, brought by MCAD Investigating Commissioner and Chairwoman, Sunila Thomas George in June 2025, alleged that the Liberty Hotel violated the Massachusetts anti-discrimination laws based on gender stereotyping, gender identity, sexual orientation, and retaliation.

During a Kentucky Derby-themed event held in May of 2025, two women were stereotyped, harassed, and removed from the hotel when a security guard questioned one women’s gender identity in the women’s restroom. When the woman accused of being male presented identification proving her gender was consistent with the gender-specific restroom used, the guard failed to remedy the situation and instead, continued to eject the couple from the premises.

The women complained online regarding the discriminatory treatment they received at the hotel and were then retaliated against when the hotel issued a false statement to the media implying that the women were somehow in violation of the Liberty Hotel’s policies.

“This outrageous incident at the Liberty Hotel left these two women emotionally shaken, humiliated, and deeply distressed,” stated Chairwoman George in the Commission’s complaint. “They were denied services, subjected to demeaning treatment in front of other patrons of the hotel, and falsely accused of actions they did not commit, which is not only degrading, but unjust according to Massachusetts civil rights law.”

Under the Consent Decree, the Liberty Hotel agreed to cease and desist from all discriminatory conduct, update its non-discrimination policy to disseminate to all of its employees, provide anti-discrimination training for all of its employees with advanced training for management, post a non-discrimination statement in its lobby, and make a charitable donation of $10,000 to a LGBTQIA2S+ non-profit organization.

“At a time when protections for gender identity and sexual orientation are being challenged nationally, the MCAD remains committed to upholding these rights and holding businesses accountable to the law” MCAD Executive Director Michael Memmolo emphasized. “Our mission is to create a Commonwealth where discrimination is not only addressed but actively prevented.”

This Commission Initiated Complaint was overseen by the MCAD’s Office of the General Counsel and prosecuted by Senior Commission Counsel Supervisor Wendy Cassidy.

###