Student accuses bar of discrimination

A college student is accusing a bar in Iowa City, Iowa, of discriminating against her by not letting her dance in a conspicuous spot because of her weight. Jordan Ramos, a 21-year-old University of Iowa student from West Liberty, told the Iowa City Press-Citizen her last two visits to the Union Bar in recent months left her embarrassed and furious because security guards would not allow her to dance on a platform overlooking the dance floor. She said the security guards told her she was "obviously pregnant" and "not pretty enough." However, her friends were allowed onto the platform. Ramos said she heard from other people who had similarly experiences at the bar because of their weight or appearance. She tried to contact the establishment's management more than a month ago, but had yet to hear back. She is considering filing a complaint with the Iowa City Human Rights Commission. "It made me start questioning myself and thinking. 'Are my friends so much better than me?' I know they're thinner, but those bouncers made them seem more valuable," she said. The newspaper said Union Bar owner George Wittgraf said he wasn't familiar with the situation but wouldn't condone such behavior by his workers.