BY BTL STAFF
MIDLAND – Planet Fitness has made top headlines this past week after a woman from Midland vehemently spoke up about her issues with a trans woman using the locker facility Feb. 28. After days of complaining, the corporate offices of Planet Fitness called to discuss the atmosphere she was creating at the Midland location.
"I wanted to know why there was a man in the women's locker room," Yvette Cormier told CNN. "He (sic) looked like a man, and that's what stopped me in my tracks."
Planet Fitness, known for their "No Judgment" policy, then promptly revoked Cormier's membership stating that her continued attempts to raise awareness about the "man" using the women's locker room was creating an atmosphere in violation of the gym's guidelines. Cormier had been contacting other women frequenting the facility with her "awareness" campaign.
"Planet Fitness is committed to creating a non-intimidating, welcoming environment for our members," read a statement released by the company. "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 suggests the use of a third, unisex bathroom would be best for transgender individuals to use while they are preparing for their workout. However, Char Davenport, chair of the Mid-Michigan chapter of Transgender Michigan, disagrees.
"Really what we are talking about is privacy," Davenport said. "Some people just don't like their bodies looked at. The trans woman deserves privacy as well and deserves to be comfortable."
State Representative for Midland and known anti-LGBT activist, Gary Glenn, said that the gym's policy is an "in your-face policy" that threatens the safety and security of its female customers.
"Planet Fitness obviously should rethink its anti-woman, anti-reality policy," Glenn told MLive. "If they don't, they shouldn't be surprised in a conservative family-friendly community such as Midland if they lose more female members."
Glenn states that his wife has been a member of Planet Fitness for some time and does not plan on returning for her weekly exercise.
