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’

This. It's an outrage women can't change without biological males about.

I'm not saying you're lying but perhaps you've got the wrong end of the stick? It is kind of difficult to believe that a gym would do this if it's really as you say, that people of all genders/ sexes have to get changed together in one space with no cubicles.

I really can't imagine any gym implementing that and customers being OK with it. Is that really what's happening or have you misunderstood something?

Have you read the thread frog? Or even just the OP's posts?
Because if you have, you'd never make that comment. 🙄

Yes, I have read OP's posts, and that's why I'm confused because I really can't see this happening.

"One person connected with the gym has replied that there’s nothing to worry about, it’s only for one class" implies that there might have been some small misunderstanding on OP's part.

I think OP needs to clarify what the gym are actually planning to do because it's not very clear.

Yes OP, when it's peer reviewed and reported in the right newspapers, by the right people, and when something happens AND it's then proven beyond doubt to have been what you said it was from the start...

then we'll all be allowed to use our less nice voices and be less lovely and reasonable and positive.

Like that spa wasn't it? I've lost count now of how many times women have been scolded by other women and it's turned out to be the bleeding obvious thing a woman said it was from the start.

Urgh! Involuntary flashbacks to that smug hipster with the moustache merrily mansplaining away multiple women’s objections to a bepenised convicted sex offender in the ladies nude spa area.

(some) Men really do prioritise the fetishy peccadilloes and perversions of men over the privacy, dignity and safety of women.

"One person connected with the gym has replied that there’s nothing to worry about, it’s only for one class" implies that there might have been some small misunderstanding on OP's part.

Let's hope so, eh? And that the gym management will say "of course that's not what we meant!" and then we can all go home happy.

I really can't see this happening.

You'd think. Sadly, there have been times when I have thought "they really can't mean that, it's too obviously crazy" but yes, they really did.

that really what's happening or have you misunderstood something?

Or - more likely than either- has someone at the gym misunderstood something? Or forgotten to say something?

Following up a proud general announcement of gender neutral changing with "It's only for one class" suggests that someone at the gym got something wrong. It's not clear what.

I think OP needs to clarify what the gym are actually planning to do because it's not very clear.

The OP is still trying to clarify it. She's told us what the gym told her. She's waiting to hear more.

Which class is it OP? Because from the title of the class maybe you can guess if it’s a transman you’ll be changing with or a transwomen.

We're talking about people/companies choosing how they manage the private property they own which they aren't obligated to let the public use and the public aren't obligated to attend.

Of.course if you have private property you are not obliged to let the public use it. But if you do choose to open it to the public, by opening a business, you are then obliged to follow the law about discrimination.

Unless the class is called something like 'Spin for transwomen' I don't see how you could possibly guess.

Well there is an established pattern that a type of customer that wants changes to the changing room policy of a business would also want to join a class that caters for their new gender. So if the class was called ‘Spin for men’ I expect it would be a transman.

It appears that a transman wants to use the mens or a transwoman wants to use the womens.

Or it could be a woman who doesn’t identify as a woman but still wants to use the women’s but doesn’t want it to be called women’s to accommodate her new identity (that happened to a venue near me - but backfired as the gender neutral toilets she/they campaigned for, she stopped using as they got dirty and were full of men).

"Walk like a lady"

I'm on the same page as you entirely. I just feel that talking about clownfish, inclusivity, and heteronormative perspectives etc....it all sounds unnecessarily niche for people not well versed in the GC perspective.

Saying that "they expect us to shower in front of the blokes" is simple, relatable, and something that can't reasonably be justified. To do so will likely involve them resorting to obscure arguments about gender identity or wooly/vague notions of womanly feelz. I think it's better to hit hard and simple and let them tie themselves in knots trying to justify it rather than indulge their argument and turn it into a debate/'matter of differing perspectives'.

You want to be the one talking 'simple obvious facts' while they weasel around trying to justify it.

I'm getting Little Britain flashbacks. 😂

@AmaryllisNightAndDay Yes exactly, I look forward to OP's update when she has clarified the situation.

Perhaps a bit pre-emptive to start a thread without having the facts of what is actually happening, though, especially when this is a topic that people do have such strong views on and get very upset about (understandably).

I should have waited for them to reply to my email asking for clarification before I started a thread?

Ah OP getting the 'woman, be told what you must do and talk about and exactly when' there. So much fun. Happens a lot around these parts.

Just for the avoidance of doubt this is a CHAT forum so women can talk about whatever the fuck they want (within talk guidelines) whenever they decide to post.

Maybe the gym should work on being crystal clear before they tell customers about major changes rather than the customer having to follow up and clarify.

Hear hear!

Well you have started a thread which is getting people very worked up and upset about something that might not actually be happening?

Of course you can talk about/ discuss whatever you want, I'm just saying it was a bit preemptive when actually it's probably not the case that they are making women to get changed in front of men?

“During this period, we will be making our changing rooms into gender neutral spaces” While it may not actually be happening, this is copied from their email, which suggests it is happening.

During what period?

FFS! No OP. You are absolutely right to have started the thread when you did. The point being that you wanted to write an informed email questioning the decision. You have been able to formulate your thoughts over the days and you are more prepped so that you know what you want to say and do.

So no OP. You didn’t need to wait. You did the right thing .

For clarity - I hope - the paragraph began with ‘starting this month’.

To be honest, I’m okay with the disbelief that this company is ‘making women get changed in front of men’ because it’s shocking and it isn’t okay.

I’m not exactly overjoyed with being told when I can post, but people are entitled to their opinions.

Your last paragraph - absolutely, a clear message with all the relevant details would have been helpful, it’s all a big vague for me.