Michigan Woman Sues Gym For Allowing Transgender Woman To Use Women's Locker Room

A Michigan woman is now suing Planet Fitness claiming embarrassment, humiliation, severe emotional distress and damage to her reputation after the gym stripped her membership and supported a transgender woman using ladies locker room. 

Earlier this month you probably saw where Planet Fitness made National headlines for something other than serving pizza and bagels at their "fitness facility" known for their Judgement Free Zone.

Planet Fitness says its staff stood by that company mantra when they canceled the membership of a woman who they say "inappropriately" responded to the presence of a transgender woman in the locker room.

Member Yvette Cormier complained to a front desk employee after seeing a transgender woman in the woman's locker room at a Planet Fitness facility in Midland, Michigan. An employee told Cormier it's the companies policy to allow members to use whichever locker room associates with their gender identity.  Then, on Cormier's visits to the gym March 2-4, she allegedly started warning women at the gym about the gym policy and telling them to be careful when using the women's locker room. Planet Fitness says they told her to stop doing that or risk having her membership terminated. 

McCall Gosselin, director of public relations at Planet Fitness Corporate, released a statement to The Huffington Post on the decision:

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 membership of the member in question was not cancelled as a result of complaints about the policy, as we welcome all feedback from our members. Rather, the manner in which she expressed her concerns about the policy exhibited behavior that club management deemed inappropriate and disruptive to other members, which is a violation of the membership agreement and as a result her membership was cancelled.

The transgender woman in the center of the controversy told one Michigan news source that she was a guest of a member and only went into the locker room twice, fully clothed and never observed anyone troubled by her presence. 

This isn't stopping major backlash. One Michigan State Rep (R - Gary Glenn) is even quoted saying, "Planet Fitness' policy "in-your-face policy" and said it threatens the safety of female members."

Now, Cormier is suing Planet Fitness saying she "suffered embarrassment and humiliation, severe emotional distress and damage to her reputation as a result of the entire incident." Court documents say that there were no posted signs about men being permitted to use the women's locker room and no language in Cormier's membership agreement about it.

Planet Fitness says they can not comment on the lawsuit because as a matter of policy they can not discuss pending litigation. 

Food For Thought: So I have to know what you think. Do you agree with the gyms decision to allow the transgender woman to use the woman's locker room? This is no doubt a rather touchy subject. All I will say is that as a true fitness enthusiast, I AM NOT a fan of Planet Fitness. I mean no gallon water jugs allowed, no "intimidating" cardio or lifting, no using machines for any other exercise than what they are "designed" for, serving pizza, etc. I mean .. that isn't judgement free AT ALL... is it, lol!?  It certainly is. It is judging those that are into fitness on a more serious level!  Anyway, that said, I do applaud them for standing their ground on this "mantra" and not making this woman feel anymore unaccepted in society than I am sure she already feels. 

While I can see how a man being in a woman's locker room could be uncomfortable for those that are not educated or exposed to the transgender lifestyle, the WOMAN in question does not live her life as a man. She is a woman. She checked into the gym as a woman. She lives her day to day life as a woman and I think she should be treated as such. Why should she be forced to use a MENS restroom or locker room when out in public, when in her life/eyes is NOT a man?! Maybe I'm just more openminded than some/most. But I don't see the problem. If you feel so embarrassed or threatened, then why not just wait until she is gone, or go into a private area? BTW .. the chances of this happening are pretty darn slim to none considering the National Center for Transgender Equality in Washington states that only 0.25-1% of the population is transsexual.