Seattle, Washington — A transgender woman has filed a civil lawsuit against grocery chain QFC and one of its security guards, alleging she was assaulted and discriminated against during a confrontation at a Seattle store.
The lawsuit stems from a 2022 incident at a QFC location on Rainier Avenue South, where the plaintiff, Madison Wineka, claims she was physically pushed, intentionally misgendered, and threatened while being removed from the store.
The defendants have not publicly responded to the specific allegations in court beyond filings made in the case, and the litigation remains ongoing.
Lawsuit Details Confrontation at Seattle Store
According to the complaint, Wineka stopped at the grocery store after work to purchase a few items when an argument with another customer developed in the self-checkout area.
The dispute prompted a security guard to intervene.
Wineka alleges that the guard, identified in the lawsuit as Travis Peoples, pushed her to the ground during the encounter.
Afterward, she began recording the interaction with her cellphone.
The lawsuit claims the confrontation escalated as she attempted to leave the store. According to the complaint, she was pushed to the ground a second time while being escorted outside.
Plaintiff Alleges Misgendering and Threats
A central allegation in the lawsuit is that the plaintiff was intentionally misgendered after identifying herself as a woman.
According to court filings, audio recorded during the encounter includes a voice stating:
“You’re a f—— male to me.”
The lawsuit alleges the comments were discriminatory and violated protections provided under Washington state law.
Wineka also claims the security guard lifted a trash can above his head while confronting her outside the store.
Recalling the incident, she said:
“The next thing I know I’m on the ground outside the door with the security guard holding a trash can above his head.”
She added:
“I was getting ready to be pummeled with a trash can.”
Attorneys Say Conduct Violated State Law
Wineka’s attorneys argue that the alleged conduct amounted to both assault and unlawful discrimination.
Attorney Brett Beetham said the alleged refusal to recognize the plaintiff’s gender identity formed part of the legal claims.
“Saying ‘you’re a man to me’ and disregarding that she’s identified herself as a woman is discrimination.”
Co-counsel Nikhil Bavariya added:
“This is just not acceptable for someone to be treated like this. This is why we brought this lawsuit.”
The lawsuit seeks damages related to the alleged incident.
QFC Acknowledges Policy Violations in Court Filing
According to court documents referenced in the case, QFC acknowledged that the security guard violated multiple company policies.
The filing states that the guard’s conduct violated the company’s use-of-force policy and that his actions “served no purpose.”
However, QFC and its parent company, Kroger, have declined to comment publicly because the litigation remains pending.
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Plaintiff Says She Wants to Raise Awareness
Wineka said she was arrested following the incident and spent the night in jail, though no criminal charges were ultimately filed against her.
She hopes the lawsuit encourages equal treatment for everyone.
“I came to Seattle from Kentucky because I thought it was safe for people like me.”
She added:
“I want to let people know that things like this do happen and they shouldn’t. Everyone should be treated equally.”
The lawsuit remains pending, and no court ruling has been issued regarding the allegations.
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