Planet Fitness continued its financial nosedive in recent days in the aftermath of permitting biological males access to previously female-only gym facilities.
An Alaska woman set off the firestorm when she photographed a man shaving in the gym’s women’s bathroom. This led to Planet Fitness canceling her membership, and the story and public outrage quickly caught fire.
The chain has already seen its market value drop by a staggering $400 million since the egregious mistake. This for a company that promotes itself as a “judgment free zone.”
The company’s value slid from $5.3 billion to $4.9 billion in a very competitive industry with little margin for error. Permitting biological males to invade women’s private spaces is the definition of an error.
The image of the man shaving in the ladies sink went viral after being posted on the influential Libs of TikTok account. The picture was accompanied by an admonition to Planet Fitness for emphasizing “inclusivity” over protecting the safety and privacy of women.
Planet Fitness stock continues it's downward spiral after it was revealed they will allow men into the women's locker rooms, bathrooms, and showers based upon their 'preferred gender identity', and thousands across the nation have cancelled their memberships in protest – with… pic.twitter.com/FAVAla9H7d
— Conservative Brief (@ConservBrief) March 19, 2024
The platform on Tuesday noted the immediate success of conservatives voting with their wallets.
Libs of TikTok posted, “Whoa. Planet Fitness saw $400 million wiped off its value since we broke the story of them allowing men in female locker rooms and then banning the woman who exposed it.”
The note added that it is obvious that the public does not support businesses that cater to “gender pseudoscience.”
Besides the gym revoking Patricia Silva’s membership, there was also the issue of an underage girl being present with the male. The outraged witness reported that a 12-year-old female in the locker room was uncomfortable with the man’s surprising presence.
Planet Fitness attempted to justify its policies and actions in a statement to Fox News Digital. Its primary goal apparently is an “inclusive environment.”
The company wrote, “Our gender identity non-discrimination policy states that members and guests may use the gym facilities that best align with their sincere, self-reported gender identity. The member who posted on social media violated our mobile device policy.”
The backlash against the company included billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. Responding to a Libs of TikTok post, he wrote, “Planet Fitness sounds like a creepy place.”
