Soho Beach House
MIAMI – A former Soho House employee this month filed a lawsuit in Florida federal court, alleging he was discriminated against – even sexually assaulted by – management, and his employment eventually terminated for making complaints.
Plaintiff Lance Forcer, a Black Bahamian man, filed his lawsuit February 11 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami Division.
“Plaintiff made countless complaints to Defendant regarding the discrimination he experienced,” his 29-page complaint states. “Instead of investigating the allegations of discrimination, as required by applicable laws, Defendant retaliated against Plaintiff by terminating his employment.”
Forcer, a Miami-Dade resident, alleges defendants Soho House Beach LLC, doing business as Soho House & Co., and a manager named Maximillian violated various federal civil rights laws, the Florida Civil Rights Act, and the Florida Whistleblower Act.
“Plaintiff seeks damages to redress the injuries Plaintiff suffered as a result of being exposed to assault, quid pro quo sexual harassment, race/color discrimination, national origin discrimination, hostile work environment, retaliation, and unlawful termination,” his filing states.
He contends it was “common practice” for Soho House to knowingly allow management – and customers – to engage in sexual acts with its employees.
“This included Plaintiff and others being sexually assaulted under Defendant Soho House’s roof and turn[ing] a blind eye to severe and pervasive sexual conduct,” the complaint states.
Forcer was hired as a front desk agent at Soho House in November 2023.
“Although Plaintiff consistently performed all responsibilities required of him and remained committed to Soho House, he was subjected to intentional discrimination, retaliation, harassment and a hostile working environment by his Hispanic managers and coworkers because of his race and other protected activities throughout his employment with Soho House,” the filing states.
“Frequently, Plaintiff observed that Defendant Soho House’s management routinely treated employees and customers who were black, African American, or of non-Hispanic islands of the Caribbean (namely Haiti, Bahamas, and Jamaica) worse than employees and patrons who were White or Hispanic, or from other countries.”
According to his lawsuit, when he opposed the conduct, he was met with “greater hostility and retaliation.”
He claims the human resources department did nothing to protect him or stop the “continuous unlawful behavior,” and it always sided with his Hispanic managers.
“Further, managers frequently accused him of taking money bribes/stealing, when he was offered tips by patrons for his kind demeanor and good service,” his suit states. “None of his Hispanic or White coworkers were subjected to similar accusations or scrutiny regarding tips.
“In fact, Hispanic managers would not allow Plaintiff to count the register, fearing that he was untrustworthy. Hispanic employees were permitted to count the register.”
Forcer claims no one took his complaints seriously. He made multiple complaints between Dec. 17, 2023 and the end of April 2024, he alleges.
He eventually filed a police report relating to his sexual assault by Maximillian. But he alleges doing so angered Soho House management.
“After Plaintiff complained about being sexually assaulted, everything changed for the worse,” the complaint states. “Managers began to complain about Plaintiff’s performance and trustworthiness and would be overly critical.”
He added, “The continual racial discrimination, national origin discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation in the workplace caused Plaintiff anxiety, trouble sleeping, nightmares, and PTSD. Plaintiff was extremely troubled by the extreme sexual harassment by another man, as it effected his manhood.”
Forcer filed an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission inquiry against Soho House in April 2024. The EEOC is a federal agency that enforces laws prohibiting workplace discrimination.
Soho House terminated his employment in November 2024.
In December 2024, Forcer filed his charges with the EEOC. The commission issued a right to sue letter to Forcer on Jan. 12, 2026.
He seeks injunctive relief, requiring Soho House to adopt changes in its personnel policies and procedures regarding hostile work environment, discrimination and retaliation, and to require training for managerial employees.
He also seeks reinstatement, prejudgment interest, monetary and/or economic damages, compensatory damages, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees.
Miami law firm O’Connell Law PLLC is representing Forcer in the action.
