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.
Well it is finally come full circle... so in about 5 years all this liberal crap about "fairness" should be dead.
Heh heh! With hands like that you'd probably crush me like a grape!
:P
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.
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! ; )
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!
THat fact alone should boost membership.
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.
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.
aka loser males who can't find dates.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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