Tempe bar manager apologizes to transgender woman

A Tempe bar issued a public apology on Monday to a transgender woman whose claims of discrimination by workers ignited an online firestorm.

In an afternoon press conference at Tempe Tavern, bar manager Rob Tasso said Briana Sandy, 55, should not have been asked to leave on Saturday. He called the incident a misunderstanding.

"I would love to apologize if you felt you were slighted in any way," Tasso said. "We welcome all kinds of people in this business. We have many gay customers, we have transgender performers. In no way did we ever mean to discriminate against you."

The bar came under under fire over the weekend after Sandy wrote on Facebook about her experience.

Sandy wrote that shortly after she entered the bar with plans to watch the Belmont Stakes, a bartender asked her to leave.

In the post, Sandy alleged the bartender said the business doesn't serve drinks to her "kind," which the bar disputes.

On Monday, Sandy's attorney, Benjamin Taylor, said: "We accept the apology from the manager ... and we're going to see what we can do from here on. This could be over. This might not be over. We're going to look at all options possible."

Tempe passed a city ordinance in February 2014 that makes it illegal to discriminate based on gender, gender identity or sexual orientation. Any party found to have violated the ordinance is subject to a fine of $1,500 to $2,500.

A complaint would need to be filed with the city manager within 45 days of the alleged violation, and the business would have 20 days after receiving the charge to submit a formal response.

A Tempe spokeswoman said that if Sandy chooses to file a complaint, it would be the first filed since the ordinance was passed.

The bartender, who was not named, on Monday accepted responsibility for the incident and called it a "learning experience." She said she would continue to address members of the transgender community "just like I would address any other person."

Tasso, who was not at the bar Saturday, pointed out that Tempe Tavern, near Apache Boulevard and McClintock Drive, neighbors an adult bookstore.

"Unfortunately, there's a male prostitution problem that's around here that's unique to our situation," Tasso said. "We have certain challenges that we've been dealing with for four years and it's been getting a lot better."

Tasso invited Sandy back to the bar for free drinks during the next horse race.