Client ‘not woman enough’
A transgender woman has been denied entry to a Wellington women’s gym for not being woman enough.
The gender-exclusive Revive Fitness, which has three Wellington branches, advertises with the tagline ‘‘For all women’’.
But when Penelopy Mansell enquired about joining on Monday, she encountered staff who questioned her gender and closed the door.
Revive Fitness requires more than just legal documentation proving womanhood; it wants affirmation of sexual reassignment surgery. The company now says it will reevaluate that policy.
Mansell, who returned to Wellington two weeks ago, was keen to join a women’s gym as she doesn’t feel safe in a gym with male clients. She visited Revive’s Willis St branch and was initially engaged by chatty staff.
But then came the question: ‘‘Can I ask you, have you had the operation?’’
Mansell has not but she has gone through a two-year process to change her legal gender on her birth certificate.
‘‘I don’t have Caitlyn Jenner’s money to look like the female I’m supposed to.’’
Even if she could afford the expensive sexual reassignment surgery, there is only one qualified surgeon in New Zealand. For some cases, the waiting list is 70 years.
Mansell was told all transgendered persons must have a medically-recognised sexual reassignment surgery prior to using the gym. ‘‘How can a gym just be solely women, and what grounds do they accept women on? I actually showed her my New Zealand birth certificate, which stated I’m female.’’
The staffer took a photo of the birth certificate and said the manager would be in touch. ‘‘We’re still left behind in the law. People should be aware that transphobia is rampant in New Zealand.’’
Revive Fitness, despite numerous enquiries, declined to respond to questions. Staff declined to provide a manager’s name or provide a contact phone number.
Area manager Cherie Cooper apologised by email for any harm caused. She said Revive was urgently looking to engage with LGBTI+ groups ‘‘for guidance’’ to review its policy.