Branford Planet Fitness Members: Do You Agree With Their Judgment-Free Zone Policy on Transgenders?

Written by WENDY ANN MITCHELL (Patch Staff)

Branford Planet Fitness members: Do you agree with the gym’s ”no judgment” policy of its transgender members? According to Clubindustry.com, an ex-member of a Planet Fitness gym in Michigan did not agree and that is now the basis of her lawsuit against the company.

On Monday, March 23, Yvette Cormier filed a 15-page summons and complaint against the Planet Fitness franchisee in Midland, MI and the corporate Planet Fitness in Newington, NH. The complaint states that while in the women’s locker room on Feb. 28, Cormier “came into contact with a large, tall man who was also inside the open common area of the women’s locker room.”

The complaint further states upon seeing the man “Mrs. Cormier was surprised, stunned and shocked and did not feel comfortable changing her clothes of showering with a man present and watching.”

After complaining to the front desk employee, she was told that it was Planet Fitness’ policy that whatever sex an individual self-identifies with allows the person to have full access to the corresponding facilities, according to the complaint. She was told by the corporate office that because of their “no judgment policy,” they could not judge whether an individual is a man or a woman.

The gym canceled Cormier’s membership for “inappropriate and disruptive” behavior. Over the course of two days, Cormier told female members of the gym that transgender people are allowed to use the locker room of their choice at Planet Fitness.

Cormier is suing the national fitness chain for damages in excess of $25,000 for the following counts:

• Invasion of privacy
• Breach of contract
• Intentional infliction of emotional distress
• Exemplary damages claim
• Three violations of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act on Sexual Harassment
• Loss of use of gym facilities and fear about using the gym facilities
• Embarrassment and humiliation and severe emotional distress
• Damage to reputation and “all other damages that reasonably flow from Defendants’ outrageous behavior”

The public relations director for Planet Fitness, McCall Gosselin, stated that the company does not comment on pending litigation but that Planet Fitness ”is committed to creating a non-intimidating, welcoming environment for its members, and that its gender identity non-discrimination policy states that members and guests may use all gym facilities based on their sincere self-reported gender identity,” according to Clubindustry.com.

What do you think? Tell us in the comments.

Photo: Mike Mozart via Flickr Creative Commons