WESTERLY, R.I. (AP) - A Rhode Island YMCA being sued by a mother who says the agency wouldn’t allow her to breastfeed in public says it had developed a policy allowing mothers to breastfeed in the facility in response to her complaint.
The American Civil Liberties Union said Friday it filed a lawsuit against the Ocean Community YMCA for Elizabeth Gooding, a mother of three who was a part-time employee and member there. The YMCA issued a statement Saturday.
Gooding alleges YMCA employees at the Westerly branch told her in February 2015 and again a month later she couldn’t nurse in public areas at the YMCA.
The YMCA says it took “affirmative steps” to address Gooding’s concerns at that time. It said a private area was created for employees who choose to breastfeed.
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