'Give Planet Fitness The Bud Light Treatment' — Calls Grow To Boycott Gym After String Of Sexual Abuse From Men In Women's Bathrooms

Growing concerns and controversy surrounding Planet Fitness’s inclusive policies have sparked significant debate and calls for boycotts, reminiscent of the backlash against Bud Light for its marketing decisions. 

The gym’s policy, which allows members to use the locker room that corresponds with their gender identity, has been at the center of this contention. A standing Planet Fitness policy states, "If it is confirmed that a member is acting in bad faith and improperly asserts a gender identity, they may be asked to leave and their membership may be terminated."

Most recently, Patricia Silva encountered a "man in women's locker room shaving" at a Planet Fitness location in Alaska with underage girls present during the interaction. After posting the video online and complaining to Planet Fitness, her membership was canceled.

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The issue has been going on since at least 2015 when Planet Fitness revoked the membership of Yvette Cormier after she voiced concerns upon encountering a biological man identifying as a transgender woman at a Michigan location. This resulted in a lawsuit against Planet Fitness. Cormier's complaint ultimately succeeded with the Appeals Court for the State of Michigan finding that Planet Fitness violated the Consumer Protection Act and its contract with Cormier because her membership promised access to a private women’s locker room, which was not provided. 

This incident has fueled debates over safety, privacy and the rights of transgender individuals, with many conservative voices on X calling for boycotts against Planet Fitness. 

One notable X account, Wall Street Silver, posted, "Is it time to give Planet Fitness the Bud Light treatment? #BoycottPlanetFitness."

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They argue that the gym’s policies endanger women and girls by allowing men who self-identify as transgender to access women’s facilities, potentially putting them at risk. The boycotts aim to pressure the gym into revising its policies to prioritize the safety and privacy of all its members over inclusivity for transgender individuals. These actions underscore a broader societal debate over the balance between ensuring safety and respecting the rights and identities of transgender people​​.

In 2023, a biological male was arrested after exposing himself to a 15-year-old in a Planet Fitness women's locker room. The male, who was arrested, allegedly approached the minor in a Planet Fitness restroom while she was showering and pulled back the curtain while he was standing completely exposed, then harassed her until she left. It's unclear whether this incident was connected to the Planet Fitness policy or the perpetrator’s gender identity. 

Planet Fitness maintains that its policy is part of a broader mission to create a nonjudgmental and inclusive environment where all members feel welcomed and respected. This policy is in line with the gym’s efforts to protect LGBTQ+ rights and provide a safe space for people of all gender identities. Despite the backlash and calls for boycotts, Planet Fitness has received support from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and others who applaud the gym for its stance on nondiscrimination and its commitment to creating an inclusive environment for all members​​.

This ongoing controversy highlights the complexities of navigating gender identity, privacy and safety in public spaces, reflecting broader societal debates on these issues. As the conversation continues, it remains to be seen how businesses like Planet Fitness will balance these competing interests and what impact these debates will have on policies and practices moving forward.

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