Planet Fitness has refused to go back on its decision to ban a member who revealed a ‘transgender’ shave in the women’s changing room.
The statement, shared by the Libs of TikTok Twitter account, said while some members may feel uncomfortable sharing facilities, “This discomfort is not a reason to deny access to the transgender member.”
The comments come after Patricia Silva detailed an incident at her gym in Alaska where she saw a transgender woman shaving in her locker room.
Silva had just finished working out at Planet Fitness’ Fairbanks location when she saw the person she called ‘a man with a penis’ perform his routine in front of a 12-year-old girl.
Silva, who has previously run for Fairbanks Borough Assembly, told the ‘trans woman’ that they should really use the male locker room.
Patricia Silva was banned from Planet Fitness after she shared a photo of ‘a man with a penis’ using the women’s changing room to shave
After her encounter, Silva took to Facebook to tell people about her experience and recounted her altercation with the transgender individual — Planet Fitness would go on to ban Silva and file a police report against her
Planet Fitness’ policy said that “discomfort is not a reason to deny entry to the transgender member.”
The trans woman replied that they were ‘LGB’.
Silva took a picture of the person and shared it online. And she was so shocked by what she had seen that she shared her experience in a Facebook video.
‘I just got out of Planet Fitness. There is a man shaving in the women’s bathroom. I love him in Christ,’ Silva began. ‘He is a spiritual being having a human experience. He doesn’t like his gender so he wants to be female, but I’m not comfortable with him shaving in my bathroom. I just thought I’d say it out loud.’
Silva — who has shared QAnon conspiracy theories on social media — also described the encounter in a written post online.
‘I went to the gym… Went to the bathroom and there’s a MAN shaving… I looked at him, said ‘hello’… he looked up… and I said, ‘You’re a man shaving in the women’s bathroom and I’m not ok with that.’
‘He replied…’Well I’m LGB…’
‘Whatever it is… nevertheless I told him ‘You’re a MAN and you’re invading my space!’
‘He wanted to make an argument to justify why he can be there… I walked away…
‘I stepped out of the dressing room and loudly asked the reception: ‘Are you aware that there is a man shaving in the women’s bathroom… I’m not ok with that ⁉️’ The two men standing at the desk put head down, and their tail between their legs! As I walked out the door…on my back a woman shouts ‘it’s a girl’… I shouted back ‘it’s a man!”
‘PF canceled my membership and let the pedo stay ‼️,’ she said.
Planet Fitness revoked Silva’s membership and filed a police report against her, citing her violation of gym policy by taking pictures and/or videos in the locker room.
Former Planet Fitness gym-goer Patricia Silva has defended her reaction in a series of Facebook posts
Her actions clashed with the gym’s commitment to ‘creating an inclusive and safe environment.’
Planet Fitness’ statement shared by Libs from TikTok followed the same line. They redoubled their resolve.
In their statement, the gym said staff should ‘work with members and staff to resolve this discomfort (sharing facilities with transgender members) and to promote a climate of understanding consistent with Planet Fitness’ Judgment Free character.’
The statement continued: ‘Planet Fitness staff shall strive to address transgender members by names, titles, pronouns and other terms consistent with their self-reported gender identity if reasonably known to Planet Fitness staff.’
The statement said that “a transgender woman shall be referred to by her preferred name and female pronouns.”
And a ‘transgender man must be referred to by his preferred name and male pronouns.’
The statement concluded that the gym ‘reserves the right to terminate an individual’s membership immediately for any violation of this policy’.
When DailyMail.com contacted Planet Fitness about their policy, they reiterated their statement that was issued after Silva went viral.
‘As the home of the Judgment Free Zone, Planet Fitness is committed to creating an inclusive environment. Our gender identity non-discrimination policy states that members and guests may use the fitness facilities that best match their honest, self-reported gender identity,” it read.
“The member who posted on social media violated our mobile device policy that prohibits taking pictures of people in the locker room, resulting in their membership being terminated”
Planet Fitness in Fairbanks, Alaska touts its ‘judgment-free zone’ to its members
Silva, from Alaska, is seen in Facebook photos with her husband and daughter
The gym has defended its “judgment-free” inclusion policy and has banned Silva from returning to the gym, canceling her membership
The Planet Fitness decision raised eyebrows and drew criticism and comments from Utah Congressman Phil Lyman and Tesla’s Elon Musk.
Lyman wrote: ‘transgender ‘rights’ supersede women’s rights.’
Musk wryly responded to one of Silva’s videos with an exclamation point.
Other users were far more blunt in their assessments of Planet Fitness’ actions.
One person wrote on X.com, formerly known as Twitter: ‘Planetfitness is not safe for women. Cancel your membership and get some free weights. Cheaper and less travel time.’
Another user said: ‘Give Planet Fitness the Bud Light treatment, cancel your membership and let them know why.’
Another person echoed this sentiment: ‘Well Planet Fitness deserves a bud light treatment.’
Someone claimed they had taken action and wrote: I have canceled my membership. #BoycottPlanetFitness.’
Another user wrote: “A transgender should be referred to by her preferred name and female pronouns.” This is what is known as compelled speech and it is unconstitutional. If we had a real DOJ, they would prosecute this attack on the First Amendment. #BoycottPlanetFitness.’