DES MOINES, Iowa — A transgender woman has filed a complaint against a hotel in central Iowa, accusing staff of discriminating against her because of her gender identity and race.

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a complaint Tuesday with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission on behalf of 23-year-old Meagan Taylor.

Taylor, a black transgender woman from the St. Louis area whose legal name is Derez Flowers, says staff at the Drury Inn & Suites in West Des Moines discriminated against her and another transgender woman in July.

Taylor says staff contacted police and reported they suspected the women were engaging in prostitution because of their appearance. Taylor was arrested and jailed for several days. Charges were later dropped.

A message left with Missouri-based Drury Hotels was not immediately returned Tuesday.

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