Planet Fitness Targets Christian Values
Recently, Libs of TikTok leveled accusations against Planet Fitness, alleging the gym chain’s disregard for the safety of its female members. The controversy arose following reports that Planet Fitness revoked the membership of a Christian woman who raised concerns about a man shaving in the women’s locker room in the presence of a 12-year-old girl.
The incident unfolded when the former Planet Fitness member from Alaska shared a photo on March 11, capturing an adult man shaving in the women’s bathroom area. In a subsequent video detailing the encounter, the woman expressed discomfort with a man occupying a space designated for women, despite his self-identification as a woman. While she emphasized her Christian compassion towards the individual, she voiced unease about the situation.
Libs of TikTok provided an update from the woman, revealing that her membership was terminated by Planet Fitness. In her account, she described finding a young girl, approximately 12 years old, visibly distressed by the man’s presence in the locker room. Despite her objections, the man purportedly justified his presence based on his LGBTQ+ identity.
The woman criticized Planet Fitness for prioritizing the man’s access over the safety and comfort of female patrons, particularly the young girl. She urged women to advocate for their rights and oppose such occurrences, emphasizing the need to speak out against perceived injustices.
Feeling unsafe in the environment, the woman had taken the photo as evidence and intended to involve law enforcement. She expressed gratitude to the Planet Fitness employees who terminated her membership, viewing it as a validation of her concerns.
In a statement to The Christian Post, McCall Gosselin, chief corporate affairs officer at Planet Fitness, defended the company’s inclusive policies but cited the woman’s violation of their mobile device policy as grounds for membership termination.
This incident adds to the ongoing debate surrounding transgender rights and women’s safety, exemplified by a lawsuit filed by Riley Gaines and other female athletes against the NCAA. The lawsuit alleges violations of Title IX civil rights law, particularly regarding transgender athletes competing in women’s sports and sharing locker room facilities.
Gaines, a former competitive swimmer, highlighted the discomfort of competing against Lia (Will) Thomas, a transgender athlete, and the implications for women’s sports. The lawsuit, backed by the Independent Council on Women’s Sports, aims to protect the integrity of women’s athletics and advocate for gender equity in sports participation.