A transgender security guard has filed a discrimination lawsuit against the Minneapolis Police Department after an off-duty officer allegedly threatened to arrest her while she was performing routine security checks at a youth dance competition inside the Minneapolis Convention Center.
According to the lawsuit filed in Hennepin County District Court, Cathrine Doe alleges Officer Ryan Calhoun subjected her to what the complaint describes as “a vicious, anti-transgender tirade” during an event held in February 2024. Doe says she was working as a behavior detection officer during the Precision Arts Challenge dance competition and had been trained to briefly monitor dressing rooms as part of her assigned duties.
The complaint states that after Doe completed a routine check of the girls’ dressing room, Calhoun, who was off duty but wearing his police uniform, allegedly began yelling at her and threatening to place her in handcuffs if she approached the area again. The officer reportedly told event staff, “You have a man walking into a girls’ dressing room; how did you think that was OK?” even after being informed that Doe is a transgender woman employed and trained for the role.
The lawsuit further alleges that Calhoun repeatedly referred to Doe with masculine pronouns and at one point shouted, “There he is, get him over here now,” while pointing her out to convention center management. Doe claims the confrontation escalated to the point where she feared continued harassment and requested permission to leave her shift early.
Doe is suing both the city of Minneapolis and the police department, alleging violations of the Minnesota Human Rights Act and the Minneapolis Civil Rights Ordinance. The complaint argues Calhoun was acting under color of law because he was in uniform, providing security services, and threatening arrest authority during the incident.
The lawsuit also points to existing Minneapolis police policy regarding transgender individuals. Department guidelines reportedly state that officers should use a person’s correct name and pronouns and cannot treat gender identity as evidence of criminal behavior.
Court filings from the city deny the lawsuit’s claims have merit, though the city acknowledged some allegations, including that Calhoun threatened Doe with arrest. Minneapolis officials also disputed portions of the complaint related to a civil rights investigation.
The case arrives amid broader national debates over transgender access to gendered spaces, workplace protections, and public accommodation laws. Minnesota has increasingly become known as a refuge state for transgender people seeking stronger legal protections compared to neighboring states with more restrictive laws.
