Brenda Wernikoff v. Loletha Graham-Smith, Margaretta Collins, Vanessa Ellis, Edward Flemming, Frank Chiola, John Does 1 - 5, and the City of Boston

On May 19, 2010, Boston police officers arrested Ms. Wernikoff, a male-to-female transgender woman, because she was using the women’s bathroom at a homeless shelter. Ms. Wernikoff’s use of the bathroom based on her gender identity was entirely appropriate, as both BPHC policy and a Boston city ordinance make clear. Officers took Ms. Wernikoff to the police station, where male officers including forced her to remove her shirt and bra, exposing her breasts, and to jump up and down, causing her breasts to jiggle. The officers laughed at Ms. Wernikoff. She felt humiliated and degraded. The City of Boston made an Offer of Judgment for $20,000 which was accepted. The Boston Public Health Commission settled for $10,000.