November 1, 2023
'AJLT' Star Sara Ramirez Calls Out Harassment, Assault of Trans BF at NYC Gay Bar
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Nonbinary comedian Sara Ramirez took to Instagram Stories to call out an alleged incident of assault and harassment directed at their trans boyfriend at NYC gay bar The Boiler Room.
UK newspaper the Daily Mail recounted that Ramirez – a star of the "Sex and the City" sequel series "And Just Like That..." – "said their partner, trans artist Sawyer DeVuyst, was 'punched' and 'menaced' with an umbrella in The Boiler Room on Sunday night."
In the social media post, the Mail went on to say, Ramirez "addressed The Boiler Room writing 'last night I brought to your establishment a group of trans and non-binary people of different ages and colors.... some of us didn't even get a chance to order drinks before one of your regular patrons came up to my partner and punched him in the back and shoved him..."
The alleged assailant also said "get the fuck out of here, get the fuck out of my way," Ramirez said, according to the Mail.
Ramirez said that DeVuyst reported the incident to the bartender, and added that the "disruptive patron" in question "accosted my partner and put their hands on my partner. They then proceeded to swing their umbrella at us menacingly and take pictures of our group over and over again in ways that felt really inappropriate."
Ramirez said that they "are feeling unsafe to visit your establishment again," they wrote, "We are sure this is on your security cameras," and stated, "We were a group of white, brown and Black, trans and non-binary people who had just come from a queer affirming event, only to be left feeling unwelcome at your establishment...."
"We were BULLIED last night and we deserve an apology and an accountability process," Ramirez added. "We deserved better than this, Make it right. Thank you."
"The Boiler Room describes itself as 'a legendary gay bar located in the heart of the East Village,'" the Mail detailed. "Its website states 'we've been serving NYC's LGBTQ+ community for over 30 years and have become a beloved institution among locals and visitors alike offering 'a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere where everyone can enjoy a good time.'"
The establishment "did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment," the news report added.
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
