The Philadelphia Museum of Art will hold gender sensitivity training for its front-line staff and contractors throughout January, after a guest complained of mistreatment while using a ladies room at the museum.
Francesca L. Cantarini, a gender nonconforming lesbian, said a male caterer at the Philadelphia Museum of Art tried to deny her access to a ladies room and a female guard harassed her as she used a toilet, shouting, “The man in this bathroom needs to get out now!”
“The museum is responding to the incident by ensuring proper training of staff,” said Maggie Fairs, vice president of external affairs for the museum. “We have contracted [with] Exude Consulting to conduct gender sensitivity training.”
Fairs also expressed apologies for the incident.
“As an organization, we’re incredibly excited to offer this training,” Fairs added. “This [incident] was brought to our attention. This is an issue that we take incredibly seriously, across the whole of the institution.”
Fairs said approximately 250 staffers and contractors will receive the gender-sensitivity training, which will include coverage of the LGBTQ+ communities.
The sessions will be held this month on Jan. 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29. All museum workers who interact with the public will receive the training, Fairs said.
Incident occurs on Dec. 6
The incident occurred at about 8:15 p.m. Dec. 6. Cantarini and a colleague had just finished touring the exhibit “The Time is Now” at the museum, prior to using the lower-level restroom.
After Cantarani left the restroom, two female security guards treated Cantarini in a demeaning manner, as if she were to blame for the situation, due to her appearance, Cantarini added.
“The guards were feeding off each other, justifying and defending their actions while shaming and blaming me,” Cantarini said.
Cantarini writes to museum officials
On Dec. 12, Cantarini expressed her concerns in an email to museum officials.
“This incident is a clear example of transphobia and gender identity discrimination,” she wrote. “I was publicly humiliated, verbally assaulted, psychologically threatened, and physically intimidated by the male caterer and the female guard who stood outside my stall until I emerged. Furthermore, I was gas lit by both female security guards and continued to be treated in a demeaning manner after the initial incident.”
Cantarini subsequently asked to speak to the catering manager and to the museum’s head of security. The catering manager arrived and apologized for the behavior of his staffer. But the presumed head of security — who didn’t identify himself — minimized the incident and exhibited a cavalier attitude, Cantarini wrote.
“He [presumed security head] turned to me and my colleague and asked, ‘Are you two trying to exit?’ Based on my entire experience of the evening, I said, ‘Yes, we’re leaving. I’ll take this to higher management.’ We boarded the elevator and left the Art Museum,” Cantarini wrote.
Cantarini’s email to museum officials also stated: “Given the political climate of our country, the policing of bathrooms is terrifying. Protecting your marginalized patrons should be paramount in your service. I’ve spent this past week with interrupted sleep, anxiety, brain fog, and unexpected tears. These are symptoms of PTSD. Transphobic incidents like this must be documented and made public so other gender non-conforming and trans folx can make informed decisions about their safety in public institutions.”
Complaints submitted with agencies
Cantarini, 47, submitted complaints with the ACLU of Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, alleging discrimination due to her gender identity and gender expression.
“Unfortunately, we can’t comment on submitted complaints until we decide to take a case. If and when that happens, we can definitely let you know [if it’s accepted],” said Ian Pajer-Rogers, senior communications strategist for the ACLU of Pennsylvania.
The PCHR doesn’t comment on pending complaints, pursuant to its standard policy.
Cantarini’s PCHR complaint about the Philadelphia Museum of Art states: “As a gender nonconforming woman I have been misgendered my entire life. However, I have never had a man follow me, shouting at me while I walked into the bathroom, nor have I ever had a security guard stand outside my stall while I used the facilities. This incident made me feel physically unsafe, psychologically violated and humiliated.”
Concern for school children
Cantarini is a public school teacher with numerous gender nonconforming and trans students. She emphasized that she’d never want them to experience what she went through.
“It’s an event that would scar them for life,” she said.
Cantarini said she felt “terrorized.” The workers shouting at her didn’t identify themselves and when she left the restroom stall, they didn’t apologize.
“I would think the Museum of Art would be more used to dealing with queer people and people of various gender identities,” Cantarini said. “I never thought I would have to be hyper-vigilant at the Museum of Art.”
Cantarini reiterated the frightening nature of the experience.
“I’ve never been scared like that,” Cantarini said. “There’s no justification for terrorizing someone in the bathroom.”
Pleased with training
Cantarini said she’s pleased the museum will conduct sensitivity training for its workers, which is what she requested in her email to museum officials.
“I think the training is great,” she said. “I’m very pleased that they’re offering this training. I believe in standing up for what’s right so we can all learn — because when we know better, we do better.”