LA gym allegedly discriminates against trans woman

[Bardoux]

LA gym allegedly discriminates against trans woman
Jason St.Amand, October 31st

A manager from an LA Fitness health club in Montclair, Calif. (about 35 miles east of Los Angeles), is being accused of telling a transgender woman she could not use the women's locker rooms and restrooms, CBS Los Angeles reports.

The incident occurred after Valenzuela told another employee shared her transitioning story and that she wanted a workout catered to her needs.

Valenzuela showed the manager her California's driver's license, which says she is a female and even a letter from her doctor that states she was born a man, but it did not persuade the manager

"I hope this never happens to anybody again because it's not fair for me to be disrespected in front of clients and the members that come here," Valenzuela said.

http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc2=news&sc3=&id=151353

[Jennygirl]

lol...



yep.

Okay I know this is a broad generalization, but this news story is not helping!

[genderhell]

Valenzuela showed the manager her California's driver's license, which says she is a female and even a letter from her doctor that states she was born a man, but it did not persuade the manager

Huh?

She carries a letter around that proves she was born a man (presumably male-bodied), and she shows it to people to prove she is a woman?

The illogic escaped the author.

[Bardoux]

Yeah i thought that, but presumably the journalist was trying to say that she produced a letter from her doctor that stated she has transitioned from a man. Or the journo could just of been an as*hat and decided to stick that in there deliberately.

[Red Leicester]

Here is the Huffington Post story, with a video of Ms Valenzuela.

Yanel Valenzuela, Transgender Woman, Allegedly Barred From LA Fitness Locker Room

The Huffington Post  |  By James Nichols   
Posted: 10/30/2013 3:49 pm EDT

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/30/transgender-la-fitness_n_4178487.html

opular health club LA fitness is coming under fire after allegedly telling a transgender woman that she is no longer allowed to use the women's locker room at her local facility.

Yanel Valenzuela told reporters that the manager at a Montclair, Calif., branch of the establishment allegedly requested she no longer use the women's locker room. The incident reportedly occurred after Valenzuela shared her personal transition story with an employee in an effort to seek workout advice catered to her specific needs.

"It gave me emotional stress," Valenzuela told reporters. "I don't think it was fair... I felt hurt because I don't understand why she did it. She had no reason. She had no complaints from anyone."

Not only was Valenzuela asked to no longer use the women's locker room, the manager was reportedly unmoved after Valenzuela showed her drivers license, which reflected her legal sex as female. She also had a formal letter from her doctor regarding her transition.
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edited to comply w/ News Posting Guidelines