FITNESS
Equinox Accused of Humiliating Trans Man in Manhattan
Gym vows to investigate after lifeguard allegedly directs trans man to wear “one piece”
BY TAT BELLAMY-WALKER
A lifeguard at the high-end sports club
Equinox in Manhattan allegedly left
a transgender man humiliated and
in tears on August 20 after requesting
that he wear a women’s swimsuit to enter
the gym’s pool.
Gabi Young, a teacher’s assistant for New
York City Public Schools and a pre-medical
student, said he was about to enter the gym’s
swimming pool at 817 Lexington Avenue on
East 63rd Street in Manhattan when an Equinox
lifeguard approached him and criticized
his outfi t — which was a blue swim tank and
trunks — for not meeting the facility’s dress
code. Moments later, Young said the lifeguard
suggested that he wear a women’s one piece.
Young, who has been going to the Equinox
gym since 2015 and joined as a member last
month, uses the pool as a way to manage their
chronic pain. The individual said the incident
occurred in front of other gym members following
a yoga class at the facility.
“I was embarrassed that she came up to me
in front of everyone, actually in front of the
people that I did the yoga classes with,” said
Young, who uses “he” and “they” pronouns. “I’m
being policed for what I’m wearing like I’m supposed
to fi t into a female box just because I have
breasts. ”
“No, they’re men and non-binary people with
breasts,” he added. “Why should I fi t into a
box?”
Young said the lifeguard abruptly stopped
him just before he dipped into the pool.
“Excuse me, can I help you?” the lifeguard
allegedly said.
“I’m going into the pool,” Young replied.
“You need a bathing suit to go into the pool,”
the lifeguard said, according to Young.
Young said he was confused because he had
not faced scrutiny for wearing this outfi t at the
gym’s other locations. The lifeguard then pointed
to Young’s outfi t and suggested that he wear
a “one piece.” When Young asked the lifeguard
to clarify her comments, she allegedly said, “a
female one piece.”
Young defended his bathing suit, and eventually,
the lifeguard allowed him to use the pool.
But, Young, who described feeling shocked,
hurt, and humiliated, did not go into the pool
and instead opted to leave the facility due to the
incident.
Young proceeded to alert the club’s managers
about the incident, and they said they would
talk to the employee. The club has not responded
to Young’s complaint via email, which was
obtained by Gay City News.
GABI YOUNG
Gabi Young, a transgender man, said a lifeguard told him to wear a
women’s one piece to enter the pool.
GABI YOUNG
Equinox gym is reviewing the discriminatory incident that occurred
at the sports club on August 20.
Young said they struggled to sleep and eat in
the aftermath of the encounter, and the following
day, he went back to the facility for another
gym class — but he was hit with anxiety.
“I’m an emotional mess,” Young said. “I was
having panic attacks just to return to that location.”
He added, “I never thought of it before, but
now I’m thinking, am I being judged on how I’m
dressed going through the door? ”
In a statement, John Gallagher, a spokesperson
for Equinox, said the company stands in
solidarity with the victim and is reviewing the
incident. The club’s Manhattan location told the
company that the lifeguard misread the member’s
swimwear for street clothes, which are not
allowed in the pool.
“The diversity of our members and employees
is a hallmark of our business and contributes
to the strength of our brand,” Gallagher
said in a written statement to Gay City News.
“We strive to be supportive of all members and
want everyone to be able to enjoy the benefi ts
of membership in the way that maximizes
their comfort. Equinox takes the member’s
concern very seriously and is reviewing it with
club staff.”
Equinox did not respond to Gay City News’
request to review the club’s employee handbook
or LGBTQ-inclusion policies. The popular gym
chain, which is advertised as an LGBTQ-friendly
space, came under fi re in 2019 for holding a
re-election fundraiser for former President Donald
Trump. In response, dozens of queer and
transgender members quit the club.
Since then, Young has fi led a complaint with
the New York City Human Rights Commission.
While the commission could not comment on
this encounter because they have not yet spoken
with Young, they urged others to report similar
incidents of anti-LGBTQ discrimination.
“The New York City Human Rights Law provides
strong protections for transgender, nonbinary,
and gender-nonconforming people,
including prohibiting discrimination and harassment
in accessing facilities in places of
public accommodation,” the commission said
in a written statement.
Young is not canceling their membership
anytime soon, but they are avoiding the gym’s
pool for now. They are calling for the gym to implement
an LGBTQ-inclusive training for employees
and expressing hope that fi tness companies
can create a safe space for queer and
transgender members.
“I do love the community, and I do love the
classes,” he said. “That’s why a lot of trans people
don’t want to go to gyms…they feel uncomfortable.
It’s not welcoming.”
Recently, separate investigations by the
New York City Human Rights Commission
into YMCA and LA Fitness locations in New
York City revealed that trans and non-binary
patrons were denied access to gendered bathrooms
and locker rooms. The YMCA of Greater
New York was slapped with $10,000 in emotional
distress damages and managers at both
gym facilities were told they must attend a New
York City Human Rights Law training and post
trans-inclusive bathroom signs.
AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 8,12 2021 | GayCityNews.com
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