Mich. Woman Sues Gym Over Pro-Trans Policy for $25,000

A Michigan woman who had her membership revoked from a Planet Fitness because she refused to stop complaining about the facility's pro-transgender policy, is now taking matters in her own hands and is suing the gym, MLive reports.

Yvette Cormier, 48, filed a lawsuit against a Planet Fitness in Midland County, Mich., with Midland County Circuit Court for more than $25,000 in damages after the gym's employees took away her membership for complaining about a transgender woman she saw in the locker room.

"I was blocked, because a man was standing there. It freaked me out because, why is a man in here?" Cormier said last month about Planet Fitness canceling her membership on Feb. 28.

But the gym's employees told her that have a "non judgment" policy where "members and guests may use all gym facilities based on their sincere self-reported gender identity."

In her complaint, Cormier argues that the policy is an "invasion of privacy [that] enables sexual harassment and possible criminal activity, and endangers women and children."

The suit also claims a number of alleged damages Cormier, who is represented by the Kallman Legal Group, suffered, like "loss of gym facilities," "fear of using the gym's facilities," "embarrassment and humiliation," "severe emotional distress" and "damage to reputation."

"Ms. Cormier was wrongfully denied the benefits of her contract with Planet Fitness and wrongfully denied the use of the public accommodations at Defendant's gym because she objected to Defendant's unknown policy," a press release from Kallman Legal Group reads. "The policy allows men who self-identify as women to use the women's facilities, including the women's locker room and showers."

It goes on to say: "Mrs. Cormier has filed this lawsuit to protect Michigan women and children and to hold Planet Fitness accountable for its irresponsible policy and actions," the press release states. "This case further illustrates the potential harm caused by adding the proposed new categories of sexual orientation/gender identity to the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act."