The Supreme Court ruling earlier this year regarding the Equality Act has had several negative consequences for transgender people in the UK. Here, I’ll share an example that has personally impacted me.
Back Story
I want to lose weight, so I joined a gym like a lot of people do. I chose Pure Gym because they recently opened a new one just five minutes from my home. They had an offer where they waived the joining fee and offered six months of membership for £15.99 per month, with the option to cancel at any time.
This would be ideal for me personally because it means I don’t have to worry about going into the changing rooms. I even had a friend who wanted to join too.
After going a few times, I noticed men starting to stare at my chest with the usual side-eye. All I do in the gym is use the exercise bikes because I have an old army injury that sometimes flares up if I put too much pressure on my back.
There’s a separate women’s section in the gym, so I thought about going in there.
Problems started
Now, being the good citizen I am, I thought I would check first before I went into the women’s section, as I don’t want to make a scene. After speaking to the manager, I was told I am not allowed in the women’s section as a transgender woman.
So I thought, well this is going well. Let’s email the head office and see what they say. This is the reply I got: –
The women’s work out spaces are reserved for biological women to work out, offering a place to ensure the safety, privacy, and dignity of female members.
Only if a concern is brought to our attention from other female members would we meet with individuals to agree if this is an appropriate area to use.
As soon as I got that reply I immediately cancelled my membership.
Where does this leave me now?
Another friend of mine has told me about another gym, but it’s in the town centre, about 20 minutes away walking. I will be visiting it next week.
However, if they don’t allow transgender women in the women’s section, I’ll have to get my own exercise bike, which costs around £100 on Temu plus shipping for a cheap one.
After posting this story on Threads, I have received a lot of abuse on there and had to put my account on private for now. Many people were quoting the Supreme Court’s ruling.
This is going to get worse
I fear this will only get worse before it gets better. The only light at the end of the tunnel I can see is the Good Law Project’s court case against the EHRC about its guidance.
Cases like this will only push transgender people out of public life, remind you of 1930’s in a European country?
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