Non Binary Gym Changing Rooms

[NevermindNelson]

I’ve just had an email from a gym I use explaining that their changing rooms are going to become gender neutral. I don’t even know where to start to reply. The email states that they’re proud to do this.

I want to reply with the reasons that I’m cancelling my membership, but all I’ve got so far is, “What, seriously?”

Maybe I should just send this - Just under 90 per cent of complaints regarding changing room sexual assaults, voyeurism and harassment are about incidents in unisex facilities. Because they have made the changing rooms unisex, haven’t they?

Edited to correct the term as ‘gender neutral’

Do you mean gender neutral?

Yes, I do. Sorry, have been picking bits out of their email.

I guess tell them that you're not comfortable getting changed with biological males so are cancelling your membership.

I could understand if gyms created a 3rd space for those who want to gender neutral/fluid/whatever they want, but those of us who want to remain as we were born ee should have that choice.

Unless of course they go down the “family” cubicle route, so big space, lots of cubicles with locks…

Here you are OP:

https://fairplayforwomen.com/unisex-changing-rooms-put-women-in-danger/

That’s what I’m going to do as I’m not going to use a unisex changing room.

Sending a copy of their email to the Times, Telegraph or Mail is always good. They all now take women's safety & child safeguarding very seriously.

Arseholes aren't they. Putting women at risk to pander to male fantasy and fetish.

If you do email, use 'mixed sex' and not the cutesy 'gender neutral'

Are they fully enclosed lockable cubicles for both showers and changing rooms?

Or are they expecting that users will think it's ok to be in a state of undress in front of the opposite sex?

I assume that a fundamental change like this means that anyone in a 12 month contract will be able to invoke termination of that contract without any fees?

I'd call them 'mixed sex' changing rooms - which is what they are. Terms like 'unisex' or 'gender neutral' tend to disguise the danger they pose to women.

@MrsOvertonsWindow Thank you, that’s exactly the link I needed.

Idiots.
Of course all their changing rooms should be gender neutral, but they still need to have them segregated by sex.

Ask them about the equality impact assessment that they will definitely not have done. (not obligatory for private sector but good practice).

Ask them how they assessed the impact on women (sex being a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010), including women from particular religions (religious belief being another protected characteristic) who due to their beliefs will not be able to get changed in the presence of male non-relatives so will have to self-exclude.

And also the impact on women who have been sexually assaulted (c.20% of adult women) and are also likely to self exclude rather than get changed in the presence of male strangers.

@Whatsnewpussyhat Yes, I was going with unisex, but mixed sex is clearer.

If they make them 'mixed sex' they're liable to rapidly become truly 'unisex' when the women cancel their memberships and they've only men left.

Is it part of a chain?

What @CraggyIslandTouristBoard said 👌🏼

Absolutely not. They’re small spaces with a small area for changing, three or four showers and one toilet at the end. So I’m assuming that they think your second paragraph is true.

Good luck OP! You’ll get great help from the wise women of Mumsnet. Cancelling your membership is your best and only weapon, and they need to know the reasons. No lengthy essays that they won’t bother reading, though, short pithy bullet points.

do you have any way to contact other gym users? and co ordinate a response? if they get 12 or so emails within a day or so they might rethink

think about asking male users too- they may also be unhappy with this

Sorry, I should have made clear that if they’ve not done an equality impact assessment and can’t objectively justify this approach they are likely to be indirectly discriminating against women.
So you might also want to ask if they have taken legal advice on possible discrimination claims and if they have also notified their insurers.

@CraggyIslandTouristBoard thank you, I’m drafting as we speak and that’s really helpful.

Totally agree with Corlan: call them mixed sex and not 'gender neutral'.

Do they include showers, so you'd be expected to be naked in front of men and them in front of you? It's quite acceptable to have single sex changing rooms, according to the Equality Act 2010, but most organisations don't (are frightened to?) enforce that.

I'm not a lawyer but, AFAIK, a significant change in the terms of a contract entitles you to terminate without any penalty. Which may not be what you want but what else can you do?

@HermioneWeasley Yes, but a very, very small chain.

Thank you! Bullet points and a couple of links only. I’m gutted, I loved that place.