Planet Fitness Puts Transphobic Customer On A Treadmill Out the Door

Fitness superchain Planet Fitness lived up to its slogan as a "Judgement Free Zone" when it gave the old clean and jerk to a member who kept complaining about a "man" in the women's locker room.

"I was blocked, because a man was standing there. It freaked me out because, why is a man in here?" Midland, MI's Yvette Cormier told MLive, referring to Carlotta Sklodowska.

Cormier had complained to staff over the course of several days about Sklodowska's presence in the locker room, though Carlotta maintains that she only used the facilities twice, and then only to hang up and subsequently retrieve her coat and purse.

"I'm not actually a member," Sklodowska said. "I was there as a guest of one of my friends."

Nevertheless, Cormier took her complaints to Planet Fitness's corporate office, which told her that the gym is a "no judgement zone" and therefore would not ask Sklodowska to stay out of the women's locker room.

In a statement released by PF's PR Director, McCall Gosselin, the chain reiterated its commitment to inclusiveness:

Planet Fitness is committed to creating a non-intimidating, welcoming environment for our members. Our gender identity non-discrimination policy states that members and guests may use all gym facilities based on their sincere self-reported gender identity. The manner in which this member expressed her concerns about the policy exhibited behavior that management at the Midland club deemed inappropriate and disruptive to other members, which is a violation of the membership agreement and as a result her membership was cancelled.

Cormier, however, feels like she's the real victim here.

"I feel it's kind of one sided," she said about the policy. "I feel like I am the one who is being punished."

Having used public bathrooms all around town, this is the first time Sklodowska's had any trouble. Though she was not orignally identified, once the story gained traction, she felt it was important to come forward as a member of the Midland community, which she notes has been very supportive.

"I have loads of friends around town," she said. "They are all straight ladies. We have wonderful times together."

Cormier is, presumably, not among those fun-loving straight ladies.