Using the locker room at the gym

[Pinkkatie]

I've been going to a local community gym for a long time now. Usually I'll go there two or three days a week. I would like to start going more.

I get clocked as a guy when I'm there which I'm sure what makes it uncomfortable for me to go. In order to use the locker rooms there you have to check out a key, so I just never use the locker room. Now that it is starting to get colder here I want to change at the gym. I'm not sure how to go about doing this.

I got my name legally changed and my gender marker corrected as well a few weeks ago.


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[adrian]

Hello Katie,

you have every right to use the women's locker room, but I understand it makes you uncomfortable if you have the impression people "clock" you. Do you have the support of the management to use the women's locker room? While I don't think you should feel you have to discuss this with them, it might be reassuring for you to know that they will handle this professionally.

Also, do you have a female friend that you could go to workouts together with? Maybe it'll help you to feel a bit more comfortable and confident there. Locker rooms are truly terrifying!

[Pinkkatie]

I told them about my name and gender change, and the staff wanted to meet with me. I meet up with the community manager and was informed they were setting up a policy for transgender people. They are only letting me use the family changing rooms and lockers that are in a hallway. They are not allowing me to have access to the women's locker room, but are allowing me access to the woman only fitness area.

For those that do go to a gym regularly or semi-regularly, what are their policy for their transgender members?

[Cindy]

I told them I was TG and had a letter from my psych saying I was hormonally reassigned. They had known me as Peter, they changed my name to Cindy and said go girl.

Not an issue.

Oh except the female trainer has decided she wants me super fit for my surgery. So after most sessions I'm a wreck.

[adrian]

I told them about my name and gender change, and the staff wanted to meet with me. I meet up with the community manager and was informed they were setting up a policy for transgender people. They are only letting me use the family changing rooms and lockers that are in a hallway. They are not allowing me to have access to the women's locker room, but are allowing me access to the woman only fitness area.

For those that do go to a gym regularly or semi-regularly, what are their policy for their transgender members?

I'm sorry they're not fully supportive. It would be interesting to see what the policy looks like. I wonder, if it hasn't been composed yet, whether they'd be open to being educated about trans* issues.

[Jill F]

I told them I was TG and had a letter from my psych saying I was hormonally reassigned. They had known me as Peter, they changed my name to Cindy and said go girl.

In OZ, does that generally get pronounced as "Poida"?

[ImagineKate]

I don't tell
they don't ask

My plan.

[Emmaline]

Well, I will find out how Fitness First handles this soon enough.

[Emmaline]

I am going the 'none of their business til they make it my business' route.

[Pinkkatie]

I don't tell
they don't ask

I had to tell them since my gender marker with them when I signed up four years ago said "male". I also had to tell them because in order to get into one of the lockers I need to check out a key from the staff. I also don't "pass" very much at all. I'm always called "sir" by the cashier whenever I purchase anything.

[palexander]

what about wearing a track jacket and basketball warm up pants? (ones that button up along the sides)

[awilliams1701]

I can understand the issue from two different sides. I get that it would be frustrating from your point of view, but also from there point of view a locker room and a bathroom are 2 different things. A bathroom has privacy on all the stalls. In my experience a locker room doesn't really have much privacy and if the other women have a problem, they could end up loosing clients. Personally I would be glad that they have a 3rd alternative available rather than forcing you into the men's locker room. However the question is where do you draw the line. I would hope at some point they let you in the women's. Its tough because it could be a subjective does she pass? which would suck because who is making the judgement as well as the show proof of surgery for a lack of your privacy.

[awilliams1701]

That's certainly true this country is sold on the idea that public female nipples will cause the end of society and is far worse than a movie with blood and guts.

[Pinkkatie]

I can understand the issue from two different sides. I get that it would be frustrating from your point of view, but also from there point of view a locker room and a bathroom are 2 different things. A bathroom has privacy on all the stalls. In my experience a locker room doesn't really have much privacy and if the other women have a problem, they could end up loosing clients. Personally I would be glad that they have a 3rd alternative available rather than forcing you into the men's locker room. However the question is where do you draw the line. I would hope at some point they let you in the women's. Its tough because it could be a subjective does she pass? which would suck because who is making the judgement as well as the show proof of surgery for a lack of your privacy.

I don't necessarily agree with all of this. I don't think that is right to segregate anyone just because others feel uncomfortable around someone else. Would it also be okay to do this if someone is handicapped and they are uncomfortable seeing them. Or of a different ethnicity? I don't think so.

I've heard people say that it is okay for a transwoman to use the female bathroom because there are stalls with high walls. I always thought that was odd too. Are what height would it be allowable to discriminate transwomen?

[awilliams1701]

Its two fold. They don't want to be seen naked by a random guy or see some random guy's penis. Even if you could convince them that a trans girl isn't going to be checking them out like a guy would be and that she would make efforts to hide her penis, they are concerned that someone could claim to be trans when in fact they are just lying to get a peak in the ladies room. The unfortunate truth is that yes there are sick guys out there that would be willing to go through any length to get a peak at as many random women as possible.

As for the bathroom as long as the dividers are big enough to prevent exposure of anyone's genitals that would cover most people's privacy requirements.

[Pinkkatie]

Oh my gawd!

I went to the gym today and I got into the woman's locker room! I just asked for a key and she gave me one for the right locker room. It was delightfully uneventful! Maybe I pass better than I think I do.

[awilliams1701]

Glad its working out. You go girl!

Oh my gawd!

I went to the gym today and I got into the woman's locker room! I just asked for a key and she gave me one for the right locker room. It was delightfully uneventful! Maybe I pass better than I think I do.

[Jake25]

Can't you change in a bathroom stall so no one will see anything?