News/Commentary

Planet Fitness takes a major hit after woman sounds off on transgender in locker room

March 21, 2024 | | Print Article

Planet Fitness stock has reportedly taken a major hit after the company decided to stand by its ban on a member who complained of a transgender “woman” shaving in the female locker room.

The fitness club franchise saw a $400 million value loss just five days after banning Patricia Silva who had posted her complaint after she found a ‘”trans woman” shaving in a women’s locker room in a Fairbanks, Alaska location.

Silva had complained to the owners at the location where she was a member after confronting the shaving transgender, but Planet Fitness informed her that it had terminated her membership and banned her from the facility. The gym cited a “no judgment policy” that allows the use of locker rooms based on one’s “sincere, self-reported gender identity.” A police report was reportedly filed against Silva as well for taking the photo in the locker room.

Planet Fitness immediately came under fire after the story circulated, and calls for boycotts quickly circulated online. The effects of those seem evident in the valuation of the company which reports over 2,000 locations.

“The company’s value dropped from $5.3 billion on March 14 to $4.9 billion on March 19, and its shares are down by 13.59 percent compared to a month ago,” Daily Mail reported.

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“The company’s stock fell by 7.8 percent on Tuesday, going from its opening price of $59.44 to a five-month low of $54.80, it then rebounded slightly,” the outlet added.

Silva’s encounter is not isolated, however, as the gym’s policy has previously been at the center of other reports.

According to Yahoo!Finance:

The issue has been going on since at least 2015 when Planet Fitness revoked the membership of Yvette Cormier after she voiced concerns upon encountering a biological man identifying as a transgender woman at a Michigan location. This resulted in a lawsuit against Planet Fitness. Cormier’s complaint ultimately succeeded with the Appeals Court for the State of Michigan finding that Planet Fitness violated the Consumer Protection Act and its contract with Cormier because her membership promised access to a private women’s locker room, which was not provided.

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Social media users have called out the company for policies that potentially endanger women.


Calls continue for a boycott and, from the plummeting stock prices, it seems it may be working.

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Frieda Powers
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