Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – John Hart-Battles, a 17-year-old high school junior and member of the school’s color guard team, joined Planet Fitness last June to stay in shape. As a young gay man, he appreciated the gym’s focus on inclusivity. However, he, like many other LGBTQ Planet Fitness patrons and staff, has been avoiding the gym due to the recent surge in bomb threats targeting the chain nationwide. At least 54 bomb threats have forced evacuations at various Planet Fitness locations, causing fear and anxiety among LGBTQ individuals.
Authorities, including local police and the FBI, are still investigating the source of these threats, which have disrupted not only Planet Fitness locations but also businesses nearby. LGBTQ activists have connected the threats to a far-right influencer named Chaya Raichik, who has been critical of Planet Fitness for its trans-inclusive policies. Raichik’s social media campaign against the gym has sparked outrage and led to a boycott among her millions of followers.
The chain’s gender identity non-discrimination policy allows members and guests to use gym facilities aligned with their self-reported gender identity. However, a recent incident in Alaska, where a woman’s membership was revoked for violating the gym’s policy on taking photos in the locker room, triggered a series of attacks on Planet Fitness. Despite only a few locations being directly impacted, LGBTQ individuals across the country have expressed concerns about their safety at the gym.
Planet Fitness has faced a decline in its stock price following the Alaska incident, raising questions about the impact of Raichik’s boycott. The company’s value has dropped over the past year amid executive turnover and scandal. Meanwhile, the ongoing bomb threats have prompted Media Matters to document the attacks as part of its efforts to combat online hate against LGBTQ communities.
The threats are not limited to specific regions, with multiple Planet Fitness locations targeted nationwide. In some cases, evacuations have also affected neighboring businesses, causing disruptions and alarm among patrons and employees. The safety and well-being of LGBTQ individuals working at Planet Fitness have been called into question, with one transgender staff member recounting a disturbing encounter with a hostile caller.
Former Planet Fitness CEO Michael Grondahl has spoken out against the threats and defended the company’s inclusive policies. Grondahl, who founded the gym chain on the principles of acceptance and inclusivity, has distanced himself from the current controversy and emphasized the importance of creating a welcoming environment for all members. Despite the challenges facing the company, Grondahl remains committed to upholding the values that shaped Planet Fitness’s success.
As the situation unfolds, LGBTQ advocates and supporters of Planet Fitness are urging the company to stand firm in its commitment to diversity and inclusion. With tensions running high and online attacks intensifying, the future of Planet Fitness and its reputation as a safe space for all members hangs in the balance. The ongoing threats underscore the importance of fostering a culture of respect and understanding within the fitness industry and beyond.