A Planet Fitness in Michigan has canceled a woman’s gym membership after she would not stop telling other gym members that a man was using the women’s locker room.
Yvette Cormier told mlive that she entered the women’s locker room at Planet Fitness and “was blocked, because a man was standing there. It freaked me out,” she said. “Because, why is a man in here?” Cormier then went to the front desk to complain and was told by the staff that the person in question identified as a woman, and that the gym’s policy was to allow clients to use whichever locker room corresponds to their gender identity. Unsatisfied with this answer, Cormier brought her complaint to Planet Fitness, where they confirmed the policy. Cormier told ABC News that she went back to the gym and told everyone else in the locker room about the incident. She said that most all the people she spoke to were ”appalled.” Later that week Planet Fitness Corporate revoked her membership on the grounds of the gym’s “judgement free zone” policy and for upsetting other gym members.
The company released a statement on the matter:
“Planet Fitness is committed to creating a non-intimidating, welcoming environment for our members. Our gender identity non-discrimination policy states that members and guests may use all gym facilities based on their sincere self-reported gender identity. The manner in which this member expressed her concerns about the policy exhibited behavior that management at the Midland club deemed inappropriate and disruptive to other members, which is a violation of the membership agreement and as a result her membership was cancelled.” Cormier said that she feels like the policy was “one sided” and that she felt like she was being unjustly punished.
Many users on Twitter were excited by the news, and lauded Planet Fitness for “standing up” for the trans woman at the gym:
@PlanetFitness Thank you for standing up for trans rights. I’m not trans, but I’m happy you’re my gym.
— Louisa (@LouisatheLast) March 8, 2015
I’m so proud of @PlanetFitness for protecting the well-being of its trans customers. #NoJudgementZone #planetfitness @JessShepSaginaw
— Jacob Shaver (@Jacob_B_Shaver) March 8, 2015
@PlanetFitness Over 98% of all sexual assaults are carried out by males, inc trans males. Well done for helping them along the way.
— FireWomon (@FireWomon) March 7, 2015
Gym locker rooms are still scary as hell, but thanks to @PlanetFitness for having my trans sisters’ backs. http://t.co/wir4exBYui
— Amelia Gapin (@EntirelyAmelia) March 7, 2015
