The folks at Planet Fitness, who have weathered a blistering national campaign to denigrate their pro-transgender rights stance in Midland, Michigan are now facing a lawsuit over that stance. Yvette Cromier of Midland was shocked that a transgender woman would be allowed to use a woman's locker room to stow her purse. So she bothered many of the other gym members about it. In response, Planet Fitness called her and explained their no judgement policy and why the woman was allowed to use the locker room. Officials asked Cromier if she was going to stop hounding the woman and other patrons. She said she wouldn't, the Midland Daily News reports. In response, Planet Fitness revoked her membership. Now Cromier is suing the gym. She claims the revocation of her membership caused "aggravation, annoyance, discomfort, disgrace, feelings of oppression, humiliation, inconvenience, indignation, insult, mental anxiety, mental suffering, mortification, outrage, scorn, shame, sorrow, vexation and worry." Not that her insistent harassment of others in the gym could possibly have caused those same responses, or caused the same trauma for the transwoman in question, right? Anyway, Cromier argues in her lawsuit that the revocation of her membership was a "breach of contract, an exemplary damages claim, invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress and three counts of sexual harassment under the Elliott-Larsen Act." She's hired a crack right-wing lawyer for the gig too — David Kallman and Stephen Kallman are the genius attorneys behind the Kallman Legal Group. They penned a multipage document slamming a Delta Township human rights ordinance for protecting gender identity and sexual orientation, but failed to acknowledge in public statements that Kallman serves on the board of directors of the Salt and Light Foundation. Salt and Light is a Colorado based nonprofit which believes the Bible is infallible, and that all governments should be ruled by their distinct Christianity. Because you know, religious freedom — as long as you are a straight, white, charismatic Christian. Otherwise, shut up.
Planet Fitness Sued Over Transgender Support
Read More
I Was Invited to the White House for Pride. Here's Everything I Saw and Everyone I Spoke With.
One sentiment shared among some LGBTQ+ people at the White House on June 26 for its Pride picnic: My younger self wouldn’t believe I’d one day be [...]
Why the Upcoming Michigan Supreme Court Race Is Vital to the LGBTQ+ Community
If anyone doubts the importance of Michigan’s Supreme Court race this November, and the massive impact it can have on our state’s LGBTQ+ residents, [...]
Meet Your Gaming Neighbor: Angela Washko Joins University of Michigan Arts Scene
Somewhere, a track coach is barking something — maybe motivational, definitely deafening — into the ear of a college freshman. If she listens [...]
Summer Books That’ll Have You Feeling a Sense of Pride
Embrace the vibrant spectrum of LGBTQ+ experiences this Pride Month with our curated list of enlightening reads for readers of all ages. From stirring memoirs [...]
Supreme Court to Consider Challenge to Tenn. Law Challenging Gender-Affirming Case for Minors
Washington Blade, Courtesy of the National LGBT Media AssociationThe U.S. Supreme Court on Monday agreed to consider a challenge to a Tennessee law that bans [...]
The Case for Queer Summer Camps
In the summer of 2015, I worked as a camp counselor in northern Michigan. It was one of the most enriching summers of my life. Despite the overriding [...]