An 18-year-old woman from Owatonna, Minnesota, has filed a formal complaint against Buffalo Wild Wings, claiming she was harassed by one of the restaurant’s employees in the women’s restroom.
Gerika Mudra says the incident took place in April of this year at the Owatonna location. She recalls feeling uneasy the moment she walked into the restaurant. That feeling turned into distress after she went to use the restroom.
According to Mudra, while she was inside a stall in the women’s bathroom, a female server began banging on the stall door and shouting at her.
“She came in yelling, ‘This is a women’s bathroom, the man has to get out,’” Mudra said in a recorded statement released by her attorneys. “I told her, ‘I am a girl,’ but she just kept insisting I had to leave. I felt like I had no choice but to show her my chest to prove I’m female. Then she just walked away without apologizing.”
Mudra describes the experience as humiliating and deeply upsetting. She says she felt forced to prove her gender in a way that was invasive and unnecessary.
With help from Gender Justice, a nonprofit legal and advocacy organization, Mudra has now filed a discrimination complaint with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. She believes what happened to her was a clear case of gender discrimination and that the restaurant should be held accountable.
Sara Jane Baldwin, Mudra’s attorney from Gender Justice, says the complaint isn’t just about an apology. It’s about pushing the company to make real changes to prevent similar situations in the future.
“They need to commit to doing better,” Baldwin said. “That means creating a culture and a workplace where people aren’t subjected to harassment and discrimination, whether from employees or anyone else.”
Under Minnesota state law, discrimination in public services is prohibited. That means businesses open to the public—like restaurants—are not allowed to deny services or treat customers unfairly based on characteristics such as race, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
Advocates say that although such protections exist, incidents like Mudra’s are still happening and, in some cases, becoming more common. They stress the importance of knowing your rights and seeking help if you experience harassment or discrimination.
Kat Rohn, Executive Director of OutFront Minnesota, says sharing these kinds of stories can make a difference.
“When people hear these situations described, they understand they’re not just abstract concerns—these are real things happening in our communities,” Rohn said. “It’s important for victims to get to safety first and then reach out for support.”
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights confirmed it has received Mudra’s complaint, but state law prevents the agency from commenting on active cases.
Buffalo Wild Wings has not yet responded to media requests for comment on the allegations.
For Mudra, the experience has been about more than one uncomfortable moment in a bathroom—it’s about making sure that no one else has to go through what she did. She hopes her case will lead to better training for staff and policies that ensure all customers are treated with respect.
“I just want them to understand the impact this had on me,” she said. “Nobody should be made to feel like they have to prove who they are just to use the bathroom.”
Gender Justice and OutFront Minnesota are urging others who experience discrimination to report it. They emphasize that public awareness is key to changing attitudes and making sure businesses uphold the law.
