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Petaluma women's gym faces bias suit
The Press Democrat ^ | October 28, 2004 | STEVE HART

Posted on 10/28/2004 9:24:19 AM PDT by Tamar1973

In a case that could affect women's health clubs across California, the state filed a lawsuit accusing a Petaluma women's fitness center of sex discrimination.

The lawsuit in Sonoma County Superior Court alleges Elan Fitness Center fails to provide "full and equal accommodations" for men, in violation of the state's civil rights law.

The suit stems from a discrimination complaint filed last year by a Santa Rosa man who said he was discouraged from joining the fitness club.

The state Department of Fair Employment and Housing said Phillip Kottle was the victim of discrimination because of his gender . The department is seeking a court order requiring Elan Fitness to provide equal services and facilities for men.

The case could test a 1995 state Supreme Court decision that limits the ability of private organizations to discriminate on the basis of sex or race.

The ruling said private clubs that operate as businesses are subject to state laws that prohibit discrimination.

Albert Cordova, attorney for Elan Fitness, said the Sonoma County case could affect large chains of women's health clubs, a growing niche in the multimillion-dollar fitness industry.

Marin County-based Elan Fitness operates health clubs in San Anselmo and Petaluma.

"Here, they are picking on a very small club," Cordova said. "But this has potential ramifications for the larger folks."

Elan Fitness owner Joyce Brown couldn't be reached for comment.

All-female fitness clubs are popular with women who don't want to be ogled by men while they're exercising, supporters said. They say there are plenty of co-ed clubs for men.

Cordova said Elan Fitness had no written policy about admitting men because it was never an issue.

"There had been virtually no inquiries by men," he said.

He said other women's health clubs have varying policies about admitting men.

In his complaint to the state civil rights agency, Kottle said he went to the Petaluma fitness club in July 2003 to ask about a $99 membership offer.

He said the manager told him that men can use the club only one day a week. Another club representative said women can use the facilities at any time, Kottle complained.

He said he also was told that monthly fees are the same for men and women.

When contacted at his Santa Rosa home this week, Kottle declined to comment, saying he hasn't seen the state's lawsuit.

Cordova wouldn't respond to the specifics of Kottle's complaint but said Elan Fitness wants to settle the dispute by giving men full access to the club's classes and facilities, with the exception of lockers and showers.

He said Elan Fitness doesn't have separate lockers and showers for men.

"We don't believe the law would require it," Cordova said.

Nelson Chan, an attorney for the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, didn't return several calls seeking comment.

In the lawsuit, he alleged Elan Fitness "maintained a business practice that excluded all men from enjoying the full and equal access to accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges and services" at the club.

In addition to a court order opening the club to men on an equal basis, the lawsuit seeks unspecified punitive damages and an administrative fine.

It also seeks an order requiring the Petaluma club to adopt a policy against sexual harassment and implement an anti-discrimination training program for employees.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Philosophy; US: California
KEYWORDS: bias; discrimination; equality; goosegander; lawsuit; mensrights; schadenfreude; womensrights
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To: Tamar1973

Well it is finally come full circle... so in about 5 years all this liberal crap about "fairness" should be dead.


41 posted on 10/28/2004 10:08:42 AM PDT by Porterville (NEED SOME WOOD?)
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To: Conspiracy Guy

Heh heh! With hands like that you'd probably crush me like a grape!


42 posted on 10/28/2004 10:12:33 AM PDT by refermech
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To: yarddog

:P


43 posted on 10/28/2004 10:13:50 AM PDT by Laura Earl (No man is an island, but some are peninsulas.)
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To: yarddog

LOL.

In the late 70's I had the best damn job on campus. The women's dance group wanted live music to dance to. Twice a week, for 2 hours, took my guitar and played for them.

To say I was envied a tad by my friends is an understatement.


44 posted on 10/28/2004 10:16:50 AM PDT by dmz
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To: refermech

I have small hands. I'm not into crushing folks unless they are left wing wacko America hating gun grabbing baby killin Kerry supporters. You're not one of those! ; )


45 posted on 10/28/2004 10:18:18 AM PDT by Conspiracy Guy (Ignorance, bigotry, envy, and gluttony are a few floor joists in the democratic platform.)
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To: Tamar1973

I'm all for pointing out the hypocrisy of the left, but I do believe that men and women should have places where they're allowed to be away from "the other side".

I believe BOY Scouts should be for BOYS and that GIRL Scouts should be for GIRLS! If you want to mix then join something else!


46 posted on 10/28/2004 10:19:11 AM PDT by MarineBrat
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To: Tamar1973
I wouldn't want separate change facilities if they decided to allow men!
47 posted on 10/28/2004 10:28:49 AM PDT by RightWingAtheist (Feynman Lives!)
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To: Tamar1973
"All-female fitness clubs are popular with women who don't want to be ogled by men while they're exercising, supporters said. They say there are plenty of co-ed clubs for men."

Sorry, if women must be allowed to join mens clubs so that there is no place men can go without being "ogled" by women, then it is only fair that women not be allowed any clubs where they can go and not be "ogled" by men.

In fact I feel the urge to go join a womens club so I can start "ogling" right now! Just kidding...
48 posted on 10/28/2004 10:29:31 AM PDT by monday
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To: Tamar1973
He said Elan Fitness doesn't have separate lockers and showers for men. "We don't believe the law would require it," Cordova said.

THat fact alone should boost membership.

49 posted on 10/28/2004 10:29:59 AM PDT by The Great RJ
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To: misterrob
don't know too many men who would want to work out at Curves...

MOOOOOOOO!!!

I work out at Curves and I am NOT a MOOOOOO! Furthermore, I have NOT come across any LESBIANS there. There are some MOB members "Mother's Opposed to Bush" that I tolerate. But our owner is a Bush supporter. I joined because I do not want to work out with men. If men have their own club that is fine with me. If they make Curves accept men then I will support sexual harrassment lawsuits against any man that joins.

50 posted on 10/28/2004 10:31:11 AM PDT by TXBubba ( Democrats: If they don't abort you then they will tax you to death.)
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To: MarineBrat
"I believe BOY Scouts should be for BOYS and that GIRL Scouts should be for GIRLS!"

I believe BOY Scouts should be for GIRLS only and that GIRL Scouts should be for BOYS only!...hehe
51 posted on 10/28/2004 10:31:29 AM PDT by monday
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To: Tamar1973
Inevitable as the day. Part of it is a perfectly natural desire for equal facilities, but somewhere in the 70s single-sex gymnasiums became just another male patriarchical hide for feminist activists to tack on the barn door. Once it went to law all common sense left the building, as usual.

If there are insufficient restroom facilities for each sex to have its own, what happens? Uh...they share. And when sufficient facilities are available, they do not. Is this difficult?

While I do take a certain dark satisfaction in a male barging in where he's not wanted since it's been so often by feminists, it isn't really a very good common-sense solution. My guess is that there are sufficient facilities elsewhere in a town the size of Petaluma.

52 posted on 10/28/2004 10:31:38 AM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: Billthedrill
While I do take a certain dark satisfaction in a male barging in where he's not wanted

aka loser males who can't find dates.

53 posted on 10/28/2004 10:34:02 AM PDT by TXBubba ( Democrats: If they don't abort you then they will tax you to death.)
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To: Tamar1973

About 20 or so years ago an all womens health club in LA was sued by a man for discrimination and the case never got anywhere. I believe Gloria Allred was en voled on one side or the other. As an aside, my wife goes to Curves, which is basically an aerobics club for older women, and one of their appeals to potential members is that since there are no men allowed as members women can feel free to exercise and not worry that some man is going intimidate them. Thus the woman can exercise and not care how she looks. These clubs are very popular among 50 and older women and the guy that founded they has made a fortune syndicating them.


54 posted on 10/28/2004 10:36:26 AM PDT by Uncle Hal
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To: Uncle Hal
Your wife may be working with older women. Our Curves is mostly women age 20 to 35. Depends on where you live. And again, most of us are NOT fat. I wanted the weight machines myself.

Those on this thread who support defeating this as a payback to feminism are actually supporting feminism. They are taking the option away from women to exercise in a same gender gym just like the feminists took it freedom of association away from men. Therefore they are promoting the same feminists ideas. Perhaps posters should spend their time defending the all women's gyms and leading the way back to all male groups.

55 posted on 10/28/2004 10:40:05 AM PDT by TXBubba ( Democrats: If they don't abort you then they will tax you to death.)
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To: TXBubba
"I joined because I do not want to work out with men. If men have their own club that is fine with me. If they make Curves accept men then I will support sexual harrassment lawsuits against any man that joins."

The whole point is men cannot have their own club. Just because it is fine with you means nothing. I would like to join a male only gym, but there aren't any.

You would sue a man for sexual harassment just for joining?
56 posted on 10/28/2004 10:51:56 AM PDT by monday
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To: monday
Those on this thread who support defeating this as a payback to feminism are actually supporting feminism. They are taking the option away from women to exercise in a same gender gym just like the feminists took it freedom of association away from men. Therefore they are promoting the same feminists ideas. Perhaps posters should spend their time defending the all women's gyms and leading the way back to all male groups

No. I really wouldn't. He would obviously be such a big loser this would be his only chance at seeing a partially dressed woman.

57 posted on 10/28/2004 10:54:17 AM PDT by TXBubba ( Democrats: If they don't abort you then they will tax you to death.)
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To: monday

My other thought is that a man who joins Curves would probably be gay. Since the machines are geared for the woman's body he would obviously be trying to get a girlie figure.


58 posted on 10/28/2004 10:56:56 AM PDT by TXBubba ( Democrats: If they don't abort you then they will tax you to death.)
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To: TXBubba

What I am doing is cheering the pointing out of blatant hypocrisy. Men *and* women should be allowed to exclude whomever they wish in private associations, so places like "Curves" would be perfectly legal and welcome.

But if every place men gather *must* be open to women so they can have "access to power", etc. then fair is fair.
Women should have no places that are gender-exclusive if men can't have them.

Don't fear that the suit will win. The blatant hypocrisy of "affirmative action" survives at all levels on the weak premise of past discrimination so this will also survive.

The message should be that women shouldn't take their exclusiveness for granted while demanding a different standard from men.


59 posted on 10/28/2004 11:00:27 AM PDT by Tall_Texan (Let's REALLY Split The Country! (http://righteverytime3.blogspot.com))
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To: TXBubba
"Perhaps posters should spend their time defending the all women's gyms and leading the way back to all male groups."

But don't you see? That will never happen as long as it is only males whose freedoms are trampled on. We are only half the population, and the half who has to shut up and take it whenever we are told what to do. The PC world is deaf to us. If some women were on our side however, then who knows? Perhaps rationality might return.
60 posted on 10/28/2004 11:00:58 AM PDT by monday
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