In a recent legal filing, Ariana Ramp, also known as Sokka Ramp, has lodged a complaint against Amazon.com Services LLC. The complaint was filed on May 29, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Ramp accuses Amazon of sexual harassment, discrimination based on sex and gender identity, and retaliation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Ramp's lawsuit alleges that from October 2023 to December 19, 2024, she was subjected to discriminatory treatment and a hostile work environment due to her transgender identity. Specifically, Ramp asserts that her direct supervisor, Chontol Cannon, persistently refused to acknowledge her gender identity and used incorrect pronouns when addressing or referring to her. In one instance cited in the complaint, Cannon allegedly summoned Ramp by saying, "Tell that woman to come and see me."
The issues escalated when Ramp took bereavement leave in October 2023 following her grandfather's death. Despite following company procedures for leave approval, Cannon reportedly launched an investigation into the legitimacy of Ramp's leave. According to the complaint, Cannon questioned Ramp’s masculinity during this period by asking mockingly, "I can investigate whatever I want. I mean, what kind of man are you?" This led to an investigation for "bereavement leave fraud," which culminated in Ramp's termination on December 19, 2024.
Ramp claims that she met or exceeded performance expectations throughout her employment at Amazon but was terminated due to her sex and gender identity and for engaging in protected activities such as lodging complaints about harassment. She argues that Amazon failed to take remedial measures after she reported Cannon’s behavior to Human Resources Manager Chanel Wright in November 2023.
The plaintiff is seeking various forms of relief from the court including back pay and benefits with interest, front pay and benefits, compensatory damages for emotional pain and suffering, pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, injunctive relief, punitive damages, reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.
The case is being handled by Chad W. Eisenback from Sulaiman Law Group Ltd., representing Ariana Ramp. The case ID is 1:24-cv-04413.