In a tale that could only originate from Florida, a resident of the Florida Keys named Amina Chaudhry, 38, has lodged a complaint against Island House, an established resort in Key West's Old Town. Chaudhry's grievance alleges the resort enforces a men-only guest policy, effectively discriminating against cisgender women, trans people, and those identifying as non-binary.

Chaudhry's case, presented to the Florida Commission on Human Rights, had a two-day hearing in April. The defense, represented by Key West lawyer Wayne LaRue Smith, argued that Island House doesn't exclude based on gender or sex. Smith claimed, "Island House isn't exclusively for men." He further mentioned that over the past two decades, women have been guests at the resort, although their advertising is undeniably skewed towards men.

Chaudhry, however, tells a different story. She asserts that she was turned down when attempting to book a room at Island House because she's a woman. During the hearing, she recalled her conversation with the resort's front desk, asking how she could book a room, apply for membership, or obtain a guest pass. According to Chaudhry, the answers were consistent: women cannot do those things.

A ruling is expected from Florida Administrative Law Judge John G. Van Laningham within the next month. However, he clarified that his decision would solely address Chaudhry's individual claim. Island House, located in Key West's Old Town, portrays itself as an "all-male," clothing-optional vacation retreat, a "sanctuary for all men," as per their website.

The resort's attorney, Smith, added that certain areas, such as the locker room or showers, are designated for men due to the resort's clothing-optional policy, and to respect the privacy of guests and staff.

Chaudhry has a history of conflict with the resort. In June 2022, she was asked to leave during a Pride Week party after she distributed fliers containing legal definitions of discrimination at "places of public accommodation." Consequently, she was banned from the property.

Representing herself at the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings, Chaudhry questioned and cross-examined witnesses, including Island House Assistant General Manager John Michael Murray. The resort's lawyers countered by arguing that Island House policies respect the constitutional right to bodily privacy for guests and employees in a location where nudity is acceptable.

While the hearing addressed wider issues such as privacy and the permissibility of a clothing-optional gay men's resort, Judge Van Laningham indicated these were beyond the proceedings' scope. He further noted that while state officials hold "police powers" to investigate discrimination allegations, they have yet to exercise these in the case at hand.

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