The Missouri Attorney General is investigating a major gym chain after allowing a trans woman to use a women’s locker room.
Eris Montano, who legally changed her gender, was approached by a fellow gym member while at Ellisville Lifetime Fitness on Monday.
A dispute has since broken out and the police have had to intervene after someone filed a complaint on Friday morning. FirstAlert4 reports.
Following constituent complaints, Rep. Justin Sparks called for an investigation and the matter was taken up by Attorney General Andrew Bailey.
“While it may be considered fashionable in certain corporate boardrooms to pretend that biology is irrelevant, the heart of America still lives in reality,” Bailey said in a statement.
Lifetime Fitness chain is under investigation by the Missouri Attorney General after allowing trans woman Eris Montano to use a women’s locker room
‘Missouri residents recognize that allowing adult men to invade and openly undress in spaces reserved for women and girls is indefensible and places political correctness above public safety.’
He confirmed that he is “issuing citations” and that the gym faces potential criminal and civil liability for putting, ‘Missouri women and girls in danger’.
He said Montano’s presence in the women’s locker room could constitute a crime of trespassing.
Montano, 52, became the subject of a protest against the gym’s trans-inclusive policy after Sparks called a press conference demanding the investigation.
“We have decided to take a stand and ensure that the safety of our community comes first,” Sparks told the crowd.
However, counter-protesters also appeared to offer their support.
Montano insists she was simply exercising her right to exist in public and says she is careful to maintain her privacy and avoid conflict.
Montano, who has legally changed her gender, was approached by a fellow gym member while at the Ellisville facility on Monday.
Rep. Justin Sparks (R-Wildwood) called a news conference after receiving complaints from constituents on the issue.
Protesters and counter-protesters attended the press conference.
“There have been a lot more people in the locker room who have come up to me to give me hugs and tell me I belong there,” he said.
“People who think others would find locker room nudity tempting are literally giving themselves away – none of us get even the slightest bit turned on by that stuff,” she added in a post on X.
Minnesota-based Life Time Fitness said its policies were merely complicit in Missouri law.
“In this case, the representative presented a state-issued driver’s license that identified her as a woman, and under Missouri law, we cannot deny or discriminate on the basis of sex,” the statement said.
‘Therefore, the member will be required to use the Life Time women’s locker room.’
Montana said he had also reached a solution with lawmakers on Friday, without specifying what it was.
Attorney General Andrew Bailey pledged to “issue subpoenas” and said the gym could be held criminally and civilly liable.
Lifetime Fitness said it was simply following state law since Montano legally changed her gender.
“Tonight I sat down with rural Missouri conservatives and we looked for a solution to the locker room conundrum that should satisfy everyone who wants a real resolution (the idea was mostly theirs and I am VERY grateful),” Montana wrote.
“I will never stop believing in commitment and listening and I will continue to demand justice from anyone who has defamed me or misused their position in government to deny my rights as a citizen.”
Ellisville police confirmed they are investigating to determine if a crime actually occurred.