Gym could face ‘consequences’ over trans locker-room policy

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A Missouri gym could be investigated because it allows biological men into its women’s locker-room.

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A Life Time Fitness location in St. Louis that “adopted a policy” that allows transgender women into the female-only space was blasted by Andrew Bailey, the state’s attorney general, on Friday.

Bailey wrote a letter to the CEO of Life Time Fitness, stating that allowing trans women to enter whatever restroom they choose will not be tolerated under his jurisdiction.

“While it might be considered fashionable in certain corporate boardrooms to pretend that biology is irrelevant, the American heartland still lives in reality,” he wrote, according to Fox News.

“Missourians recognize that allowing adult men to openly invade and disrobe in spaces set aside for women and young girls is indefensible and places political correctness above public safety.”

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An investigation was launched following an incident where a 52-year-old transgender woman entered the women’s locker-room to the shock and anger of some members.

Some of the staff allegedly corrected gymgoers, instructing them to use inclusive language when discussing the trans member.

“Even more concerning is the fact that instead of taking the safety concerns from your gym members seriously, you rudely correct them and insist they call this biological male by the ‘correct pronouns,’” Bailey said.

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He added that he was looking into filing criminal charges against them under various statutes after numerous constituents complained to his office, alleging “the gym has actively allowed a biological male to use women and girls’ private spaces.”

Bailey cited the “trespass in the first degree” statute, arguing that he had previously established a precedent that a biological male entering a female-only space was a violation of the law.

“Court confirmed that a male’s presence in a females’ public restroom constitutes criminal trespass,” he said. “When restrooms are separately designated for males and females, one is only permitted to use the restroom designed for his or her gender.”

The attorney general alleged that a biological male exposing himself in a female space “may be subject to further criminal liability for multiple sexual offences, including sexual misconduct in the first degree and the felony offence of sexual misconduct involving a child.”

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He said the gym’s policies are allegedly “enabling potentially criminal behaviour.”

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Bailey added: “I am writing to assure you that it will not continue on my watch. If you insist on endangering women and young girls in our state, in open defiance of the law, be assured you will face the consequences.”

The company previously released a statement that said it was complying with existing state laws.

“At Life Time, we recognize that there are varying opinions regarding locker-room access. As a company, we are committed to following the law in every area we operate with respect to public accommodation.”

The company added that it reviews state-issued IDs to confirm identities and in the instance of the trans woman, her licence said she was female.

“Based on Missouri laws, we cannot deny or discriminate on the basis of sex,” the statement said. “Therefore, the member is to use Life Time’s women’s locker-room.”

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