Gym drops member after gender identity complaint
A US gym has cancelled a woman’s membership after she complained about a transgender female using the women’s locker room.
Yvette Cormier told WNEM, she was unaware the person was a transgender woman.
“I was stunned and shocked,” she said. “He looked like a man. He did not look like a woman.”
Ms Cormier complained to the front desk at Planet Fitness in Midland, Michigan, and later to the gymnasium’s corporate office.
"They told me the same thing, that he was allowed in there because that's the sex he wants to be," Ms Cormier told WNEM.
Informed that the gym was a 'no judgment zone', and that no action would be taken to prevent the other gym user from accessing the women’s change room, she began to warn people about the 'man' in the locker room.
Ms Cormier lost her membership for violating the company’s no judgement zone policy.
“Planet Fitness is committed to creating a non-intimidating, welcoming environment for our members,” a Planet Fitness spokesperson said in a statement.
“Our gender identity non-discrimination policy states that members and guests may use all gym facilities based on their sincere self-reported gender identity.”
"In expressing her concerns about the policy, the member in question exhibited behavior that club management deemed inappropriate and disruptive to other members."
Ms Cormier told WNEM she was not concerned with getting her membership back, but wanted to warn other women at this gym to make them aware of this policy, which she previously had no knowledge of.
Interviewed by WNEM, transgender woman Char Davenport applauded Planet Fitness for understanding the needs of the transgender community.
However she added that organisations looking to support the transgender community should have the proper facilities so that supporting LGBT rights did not impose on those who may not have a full understanding of her community.
"Private showers and changing areas really would go a long way in resolving these issues," she said.
Ms Davenport noted that Ms Cormier’s concern was valid and that the situation had provided an opportunity to learn more about the transgender community.
Meanwhile, Carlotta Sklodowska has come forward, believing she is the transgender woman at the centre of the issue.
During separate trips to the gym, Ms Sklodowska told Michigan Live, she entered the women’s locker room to hang up her coat and purse, and then to retrieve the items after her workout.
Ms Sklodowska said she asked staff about the locker room policy regarding transgender individuals and was told to use the locker room that corresponded with how she was dressed.
The Midland resident said she uses public bathrooms all the time and has never had any issues previously.
News break – March 9
