Latest news with #LibertyHotel
Boston Globe
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Free things to do: ‘Love Island' watch party, puppet performance, and more
Free events Pat Loomis will perform alongside his band at the South End Library Park for an afternoon of community mingling and summer fun. South End Branch of the Boston Public Library JAZZ & JUBILATION Although the BPL's South End branch is temporarily closed, it doesn't mean the library is totally out of reach for community members. Next week, one of the South End branch's summer concerts will take place at the South End Library Park, where Pat Loomis, a Boston-based saxophonist and singer, will perform a jazz set. Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket and snacks for this night of low notes and high spirits. July 1, 6:30 p.m. 685 Tremont St. A RUFF DAY The midweek slump is felt by all — even our furry friends. Every Wednesday at Liberty Hotel's outdoor patio, local dog owners are invited to gather for Yappier Hour, a chance to unwind with your pup while meeting other canines and their human companions. For-purchase add-ons including dog treats and drinks (for people) are available, but not required to participate. Wednesdays, 5:30-7 p.m. Liberty Hotel, 215 Charles St. Advertisement MAIN CHARACTER ENERGY If you're keeping up with 'Love Island,' you may want to couple up with this free event at Tiki Rock. The tropical, Polynesian-themed bar will be hosting a group screening of next Thursday's episode, set to hit streaming sites at 9 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to dress the part and channel their inner-bombshell entering the villa. July 3, 9 p.m. 21+. 2 Broad St. Advertisement COME TO THE CABARET Back Bay's Club Café hosts monthly free cabaret nights, and this Friday, singer KT Sullivan will hit Joséphine's stage with a performance of 'Far Away Places.' Sullivan will perform songs inspired by destinations, including 'April in Paris,' 'I Happen to Like New York,' and more. Following the performance, audience members are welcome to stay for a screening of the latest 'RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars' episode at the bar. July 4, 6 p.m. 209 Columbus Ave. The Puppet Showplace Theater will be performing outdoor puppet plays at the UnCommon Stage. Rahul Koonathara PULL THE STRINGS Emerson College's UnCommon Stage will be host to 'Party Animals,' a show performed by Brookline's Puppet Showplace Theater. The puppet-led production follows five animal friends, all with different personalities and anxieties, as they navigate throwing their first party. Families with children ages 4 to 9 are encouraged to attend, but all ages are welcome to enjoy the show. July 5, noon. Emerson UnCommon Stage, Boylston and Tremont streets. MEDITATE ON IT If you've been in need of some peace and clarity, you may have already tried meditation. However, with wandering minds, endless newsfeeds, and short attention spans, the act can feel impossible. Gain perspective on the practice with Shambhala Meditation Center's free meditation workshops, where teachers will lead a guided meditation and discussion about how to maintain the practice as part of everyday life. July 6, 12:30-1:30 p.m. 646 Brookline Ave., Brookline. Advertisement Send info on free events and special offers at least 10 days in advance to . Marianna Orozco can be reached at
CBS News
10-06-2025
- CBS News
Alleged discrimination at Boston's Liberty Hotel investigated by state agency
An independent state agency has launched an investigation into a Boston hotel for an alleged incident involving a same sex couple and a security guard last month. On Tuesday, the attorney for the couple announced the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination had started a self-initiated investigation into the alleged actions against his clients. WBZ-TV first reported the alleged incident at the Liberty Hotel last month during a Kentucky Derby watch party. That's when Liz Victor and her girlfriend Ansley Baker, said a security guard walked into the women's bathroom off the hotel's lobby, started banging on the stall doors, and shouted, "No men are allowed." Liz Victor (left) and Ansley Baker. CBS Boston In our first interview on May 5, Baker said she was so rushed to get out of the stall she didn't have time to pull her shorts up all the way. The women claim once they were in the lobby of the hotel, the security guard asked for their IDs to prove they were women. "It was my worst nightmare coming true," said Baker on Tuesday afternoon in her attorney's office in Boston. "This is the first time that something like this has escalated to the degree that it did." Couple takes issue with hotel's statement But the couple, and their attorney, take serious issue with the statement that was published by the hotel on the night of our original report. That statement said the security guard went in after, "...several women alerted security of two adults sharing a bathroom stall. The bathroom was cleared out as two adults in one stall are not permitted." Victor and Baker vehemently denied they were ever in the same stall and have repeatedly stated the security guard never brought up that concern during the incident. Within 12 hours after our first report aired, the Liberty Hotel published a second statement that revealed their initial internal investigation had ended, and the security guard has been suspended. The couple's attorney alleged the hotel purposely put out a false statement that defamed his clients. "Liberty Hotel management made a decision to issue a false, demeaning, defamatory statement to attack the victims over what their guard had done," said attorney Lenny Kesten. "Rather than apologize or do something appropriate. He [security guard] became concerned there might be a male in the women's bathroom, so he decided to make sure there was a male in the women's bathroom by going in and banging on the door and yelling." The state's investigation could result in fines or other punishments and could take several weeks to complete.
Boston Globe
10-06-2025
- Boston Globe
State panel investigating hotel bathroom incident where woman was accused of being a man, lawyer says
'We are so happy and pleased that the Commission Against Discrimination ... has taken it upon themselves to help these women out,' he said, as Baker and Victor sat by his side holding hands. A spokesperson for the commission said they could neither confirm nor deny the existence of a complaint on Tuesday. The next step would be an investigative conference held in the first 30-45 days of the filing, they said. Advertisement Liberty Hotel officials did not immediately return a message seeking comment Tuesday. Kesten said Baker and Victor have not asked for monetary compensation, and they have not filed suit against the hotel. Baker and Victor had attended a Kentucky Derby-themed party at the hotel on May 3. At one point, Baker had to use the restroom, and Victor went in with her. Baker said Victor usually accompanies her to public restrooms because people have previously accused her of being a man. Advertisement But shortly after Baker entered a stall, a man banged on the door and told her to come out. After she pulled her shorts up and stepped out, a security guard accused her of being a man in the women's restroom and demanded to see her ID, Baker said Although Baker showed the guard her ID and she and Victor repeatedly told him she is a woman, the couple was escorted out of the hotel, she said. As they left the restroom, Baker said, a couple of other women made comments, calling Baker 'a creep' and telling the guard to 'get him out of here.' Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Baker said she has faced 'comments' and 'looks' when using the women's room in the past, but the incident at the Liberty Hotel was her 'worst nightmare coming true.' 'This is the first time that something like this has escalated to the degree that it did,' she said. 'I wasn't surprised that something escalated, but it was terrifying.' Kesten, Ansley's attorney, also noted the hotel's response in two public statements in the days following the bathroom incident. The hotel's first statement said the bathroom was cleared because two adults were using the same stall, which is not permitted. Baker and Victor have denied that account, saying they never entered the stall together. The next day, the hotel released a second statement that told a different story. This one said the security guard had been suspended and staff would undergo 'mandatory retraining ... on inclusive practices and guest interaction protocols, with a particular focus on creating a safe and welcoming space for LGBTQ+ individuals.' Advertisement Kesten said he is pressing the hotel to explain how the first statement came to be released and what led the hotel to suspend the guard. 'It reeks of legal language,' Kesten said. Nick Stoico can be reached at
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
2025 City Kids Gala celebrates uplifting mission
City Kids, a nonprofit that provides children across Boston's neighborhoods and beyond with unique experiences and valuable educational resources, hosted its 2025 City Kids Gala at Alibi in the Liberty Hotel. The event drew a strong crowd of business and civic leaders to support City Kids' mission to meaningfully impact the lives of under-served youth through programs such as educational events, technology access, surf camps, financial literacy lessons, and, most recently, a collaborative art initiative called the City Kids Art Enrichment Program. City Kids, founded by City Realty Group Managing Partners Fred Starikov and Stephen Whalen in 2012, has served more than 10,000 children during the past decade and provided $1 million to ensure children, schools, and youth development programs have the educational resources and technology they need. 'We are proud to partner with and support organizations such as The BASE which share our passion for inspiring children and giving them tangible tools to achieve their goals and fulfil their dreams,' Whalen said. 'City Kids is thankful for the wonderful support from the community and this gala exceeded our best hopes and was our most successful and impactful yet.' 'City Kids would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to every donor who contributed to the success of the City Kids Gala,' a statement said 'The support plays a vital role in helping the organization continue its mission of uplifting underserved community through programs and supplying essential resources.' This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
CBS News
08-05-2025
- CBS News
Women confronted by security guard in Boston hotel bathroom file discrimination complaint
Woman says Boston hotel security asked her to prove gender after using bathroom Woman says Boston hotel security asked her to prove gender after using bathroom Woman says Boston hotel security asked her to prove gender after using bathroom A couple has filed discrimination complaints against the Liberty Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts after the two women were questioned for using the women's bathroom last weekend. Ansley Baker and her girlfriend Liz Victor say a security guard came into the bathroom, accused one of them of being a man, and then demanded to see their IDs to prove their genders. Complaints filed with Attorney General's office Baker and Victor told WBZ Wednesday night they have each filed discrimination complaints with the Massachusetts Attorney General's office. Ansley Baker and Liz Victor said they were confronted in the women's bathroom at the Liberty Hotel. CBS Boston The women say the hotel has still not retracted its original statement that suggested they were in the same stall, which the women deny. Baker and Victor were at a Kentucky Derby party at the Liberty Hotel on Saturday. In the bathroom, Baker said she was in one of the stalls while Victor waited for her near the sinks. "All of a sudden there was banging on the door," said Baker. "One of the security guards was there telling me to get out of the bathroom, that I was a man in the women's bathroom. I said, 'I'm a woman.'" Escorted out of bathroom Baker, who described the incident as "humiliating," said as she was escorted out of the restroom, comments were directed at her from other women waiting in line. The security guard involved in the incident was suspended on Tuesday, a day after the story aired on WBZ. Baker said she also plans to file a formal complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination. The hotel said all staff are being retrained "on inclusive practices and guest interaction protocols." The hotel is also making a donation to a local LGBTQ+ organization.
