Woman Sues Forest Hills Sizzler For Alleged Attack, Discrimination

A Queens woman has filed a discrimination lawsuit against the Forest Hills , claiming she was violently attacked and berated because of her sexual orientation while trying to enjoy a breakfast buffet.

In September 2010, Liza Friedlander went to the Sizzler on Metropolitan Avenue for the breakfast buffet. According to her lawyers, Friedlander paid and helped herself to the food in the self-serve line.

Friedlander was walking back to her table, when a Sizzler manager allegedly yelled at her for not paying for the food she had taken, shoved her to the ground and kicked her while shouting expletives and gay slurs.

Friedlander’s lawyers said the situation got worse, as patrons in the restaurant's dining room began screaming threats at her and demanding that she leave.

Police were called in response to the incident and Friedlander was taken to a nearby hospital.

Just because I don’t appear to be the Sizzler manager’s idea of what a woman should look like doesn’t mean that gives him permission to attack me and allow other customers to join in,” Friedlander said in a statement. “My friends and I went in for Saturday brunch just like everyone else in the restaurant that morning, but it turned into a nightmare. No one should have to go through that."

Friedlander’s lawyer, Natalie Chin, said the restaurant violated New York City and State Civil and Human Rights laws in inciting the alleged incident.

"What was supposed to be a relaxing, enjoyable Saturday brunch at Sizzler turned into a horrifying ordeal of discrimination, violence and degradation targeting Liza because she did not conform to the stereotypes of how a woman should look,” Chin said.

Friedlander is represented by Lambda Legal, a law office that specializes in cases involving gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered clients.