Transphobic Stickers Reported At Colombian Hotel Prompts Calls For Vigilance In LGBTQIA+ Venues

Transphobic stickers allegedly photographed in the women’s bathrooms at Oxford Street’s Colombian Hotel have prompted a dispute between transgender woman and advocate Katherine Wolfgramme, and the venue’s general manager.

Wolfgramme shared the photographs publicly after receiving them from a friend who, she said, had visited the hotel the previous weekend. General manager Ella Parker subsequently contacted her, objecting to the post, and disputing that the images show the Colombian Hotel’s bathroom.

The photographs include a sticker declaring that womanhood is “exclusive to the female sex”, alongside other anti-trans dogwhistles and general TERF messaging.

There is no evidence identifying who placed the stickers.

Katherine Wolfgramme: concern for younger trans women

In screenshots posted to Facebook, Wolfgramme initially thanked Parker for responding and explicitly said she did not believe the venue had intentionally placed the stickers.

“I just want to make sure people are more vigilant in this climate in regards to transphobia especially in our safe spaces where we should feel safe,” she wrote.

The exchange became heated. Messages that are attributed to Parker include denials that this is the Colombian Hotel’s bathrooms, saying it is not the same tile. Other messages include: “I see this as a hate speech against my venue & community”, “what you posted is false information” and “you should be ashamed”.

In the same post, Wolfgramme included a video that shows the women’s bathroom at the Colombian, to show the similarity in colouring, toilet paper holders and tile pattern to the photos in question.

Wolfgramme response was: “Now back off and make sure it doesn’t happen again”.

In a follow-up statement on Facebook, Wolfgramme described the interaction as “aggressive, disrespectful, accusatory and completely unprofessional”.

“The truth is, I don’t claim to be a saint. I am not perfect, I often lack a filter and I can be frightfully forthright, but when I interact with someone I do not know, I always show respect,” she said.

“I am most disappointed because I was a concerned transgender woman coming from the best possible place. I was concerned by the transphobic stickers and only wanted the hotel to be more vigilant so young transgender women would not be hurt by reading them.

“I wasn’t looking for an argument. I was trying to raise a legitimate concern about the environment in a venue that is supposed to be part of our community, and safe space for all the letters in our rainbow acronym.

“This makes me sad and disappointed more than anything else.”

Colombian Hotel rejects any endorsement of stickers

In a statement to Star Observer, Parker said the hotel’s management had not been notified before the images were posted publicly.

“No evidence, original footage or timelines have been provided to us despite requesting them so we could investigate further,” she said.

“There are also concerns regarding the authenticity of the images, as they appear potentially AI-generated. Without the original footage or further evidence, we are unable to verify them.”

Star Observer ran the two photographs through three separate AI image checkers using different AI models. Two results returned 0% AI-generated, and one result showed scores of 3% and 12%, and classified the images as “Not AI” with “High” confidence.

These results of course do not prove authenticity, and the location remains disputed.

Parker acknowledged her initial response had been emotional.

“My initial comments were emotional, as I found the images extremely upsetting. However, if these stickers were placed in our bathrooms, this would be an act of vandalism by an individual, not something endorsed, displayed or condoned by the Colombian Hotel.

“My concern with Katherine’s post was the implication that the venue was somehow responsible for or supportive of this material, which is simply not the case.

“The Colombian Hotel has a long history of supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, and we do not tolerate transphobia, discrimination or hate speech in any form.”

Parker said she would have hoped concerns were raised directly with management so they could be investigated and addressed immediately.

“My comments were made out of frustration and concern for the reputation of a venue and community I care deeply about, not as a personal attack on Katherine.”

Staying vigilant and looking after every letter 

I know I have personally seen similar transphobic stickers in both Sydney and Melbourne, including in LGBTQIA+ venues.

This concern extends well beyond one venue – and finding these kinds of stickers inside a venue of course does not mean the venue supports their message – but it is our venues’ responsibility to remain vigilant that these stickers are becoming more and more common.

We also have to acknowledge that this may be coming from within our own community, since these stickers are being placed in various LGBTQIA+ venues. We obviously cannot identify whoever placed these particular stickers, but being a member of our community does not automatically prevent someone from holding prejudices against another part of the rainbow.

For a trans person heading to the bathroom during a night out, encountering that message can turn somewhere familiar into somewhere they feel unwelcome.

If you see material like this, disparaging any member of or group within the LGBTQIA+ community, please tell venue staff immediately, so they can remove it.

All of us deserve to enjoy their night and feel welcome, regardless of wht letter we fall under.