Owner of Large US 'Curves' Fitness Chain Attacked for Contributing to Pro-Life Cause

Life Site News ^ | 4-30-04

[truthandlife]

A successful Christian business owner has come under attack by feminist extremists for using his profits to support pro-life charities.

Gary Heavin, the owner of a chain of extremely successful health and fitness centres for women, is a born-again Christian who gives 10% of his gross annual income to charities. Heavin is also the author of two books on fitness that take a Christian approach. His wife, Diana produces Christian music. Curves fitness centres cater particularly to middle-aged women who may be intimidated by other more youth-oriented fitness venues.

Curves franchises have surpassed Starbucks in numbers in the United States and are closing on McDonalds with sales that have hit $750 million a year. Heavin chooses to support the pro-life movement and that has elicited a powerful response from some feminist organizations and writers. We get a lot of heat because we're so expressive of our faith, and we encourage our faith,'' Heavin says.

In a vitriolic article in the San Francisco Chronicle, Heavin's contributions are described in terms often employed for supporters of terrorist organizations. He is accused of supporting Operation Save America that "blamed the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on God's retribution for abortions and whose purpose, as described on its Web site, is to 'unashamedly take up the cause of pre-born children in the name of Jesus Christ.'" The implication strongly appears to be that, if a successful business owner gives money to charity, he may not support organizations that oppose the feminist pro-abortion agenda.

A quick search on Google reveals that Heavin has come under fire from a phalanx of feminist writers in magazines such as "Bitch" and on listserves and weblogs where he is variously called a "pro-life-deadbeat-dad" and accused of the crime of supporting "fake pregnancy crisis centres." Some writers speak of "sounding the alarm" on Heavin's activities in a tone that suggests that to give money to the pro-life cause is tantamount to terrorism or conspiracy.

Annie Lamott, a feminist writer, said of the Curves franchises, "I hate the idea that this right-wing fundamentalist is making a profit on these places that make it easy for women to exercise. I don't see how, in good conscience, someone like me, a staunch feminist and progressive, can in any way contribute to any organization that undermines women's rights."

"It seems everything is tolerated except the Christian, and that's a tragedy because of the need to put values in our boardrooms and classrooms," Heavin says.

Read about Heavin's success story: http://www.christianitytoday.com/tc/2004 /001/3.30.html

San Francisco Chronicle article: http://www.sfgate.com/cgibin/article.cgi ?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/04/29/EDGA B6C1IO1.DTL

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Ladysmith]

Good grief, it must be "Post an Ugly Woman Image Day" today. Here's another...

I didn't realize the owner of Curves was Christian. He must be pretty effective to be attacked so. God bless him and all who work with him! As a note to anyone who doesn't know this, Leslie Sansone is also Christian - I love her workouts!!

[anonymous_user]

I was pleasantly surprised that she didn't weigh 500 lbs. since she was picking on "Curves."

Still, no one beat her with the ugly stick. She fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down.

[xsmommy]

me too! my Sisterinlaw has been very successful at losing inches at Curves in Ohio and i just emailed her this story. i am not sure she even knew they were a prolife, Christian enterprise. Cool!

[Hacksaw]

If Annie Lamott can fit her bulk through the doors of most any swine barn, I'm sure she'll find all the company and special dietary needs she could ever wish for in the company of others that have no Right-Wing connections whatsoever.

LOL - I am in awe!

[cyborg]

:O

[AmericanChef]

Oh, no! They made it easy for women to exercise! Stop the presses, they're...erk!...Christians!!

I demand they immediately make matching donations to baby-killing charities, OR they can renounce their evil God so we can all exercise in "peace".

Why not just shut up and exercise at home, lady (and I use that term loosely)?

[cyborg]

Dang I'm jealous at his/her skills *lol*

[Lockbar]

I am not particularly religious or even consider myself to be a Christian, but I appreciate that ideals that the Curves founder lives by. I think he should go on the offensive and openly declare "Curves" to be a Christian friendly business. Except since he is the president of a franchise, some of his franchises might not want to go that route.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

ROFL at the dreadlocks - does she speak with a "blackcent" too?

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

I guess one of these leftist feminists wouldn't eat at a Chick Fil'a either....since that is a Christian owned company.....

[ColdSteelTalon]

I just love it when a feminazi blows a gasket!!!

[tioga]

Egads....put a warning on that pic.

[alnick]

When I was considering joining my local Curves, I did some research on some Google groups. I read a post by an idiot liberal, who was upset about the fact that Heavin donates a portion of his profits to the church. She said that anyone who believes in separation of church and state should stay away from Curves. I kid you not; she actually said that. I'm still shaking my head over the depth of stupidity of that one.

[tioga]

Praise God, a Christian business owner. God Bless him.

[Doctor Raoul]

In a vitriolic article in the San Francisco Chronicle...

Hate speech against Christians, smokers and white males,...uh excuse me..., Eurocentir opperssors of testosreone, is authorized.

[2nd amendment mama]

Oh wow! I'm getting ready to join a gym and now I know exactly which one it will be! This is a win-win situation....lose inches/weight and contribute to pro-life charities at the same time. God Bless Mr. Heavin.

[SuziQ]

Annie Lamott, a feminist writer, said of the Curves franchises, "I hate the idea that this right-wing fundamentalist is making a profit on these places that make it easy for women to exercise. I don't see how, in good conscience, someone like me, a staunch feminist and progressive, can in any way contribute to any organization that undermines women's rights."

Then, don't go there, twit! You have a CHOICE, remember? If the man is filling a need women have to have a place to exercise, what's it to you and all your CRONIES?

[Alia]

Annie LaMott is located in Marin County (or just north of Marin) in the San Francisco Bay Area. Feminists posit that the "personal is political" -- it's been their guiding mantra since the early 70s (and before); The Christian businessman is also operating on the "personal is political" -- so it makes no sense feminists should be hysterical, again, and again, and again.

[Doctor Raoul]

"I hate the idea that this right-wing fundamentalist is making a profit on these places that make it easy for women to exercise. I don't see how, in good conscience, someone like me, a staunch feminist and progressive, can in any way contribute to any organization that undermines women's rights."

A characteristic of fascism is the ruthless elimination of any view other than that held by the fascists. Pat Ireland, Martha Burk and the geek that now runs N.O.W. are all fascists.

[Doctor Raoul]

"When Briards Go Bad" starring Anne Lamott. Woof, Woof...