Michelle Dewberry expressed astonishment and discomfort after discovering a biological guy in the female changing area at her Virgin Active gym. The event has ignited a discussion over changing room policy and transgender inclusion in female-only places.
Dewberry claims she immediately questioned the gym’s policy, but the response left her frustrated and concerned about the safety of single-sex spaces.
What Happened at Virgin Active?
1. Encounter with a Male in the Female Changing Room
- Dewberry described her surprise and discomfort at finding a male inside the female-only changing area.
- She questioned Virgin Active about their policy on who is allowed in female spaces.
2. Virgin Active’s Response
- The gym stated that their changing rooms are split into male and female sections, with boys under eight allowed in female spaces when accompanied by their mothers.
- However, the policy explicitly allows transgender females (biological males) and non-binary members to use female spaces.
“This is a space where any man can just go into the changing room, tell me he’s a non-binary person, and I’m supposed to be okay with that?”
- Feeling uncomfortable and unheard, Dewberry canceled her membership in protest.
Backlash Over Female-Only Gyms
The incident at Virgin Active comes amid growing tensions over single-sex spaces in fitness facilities.
3. Girls Spot Gym Faces Online Attacks
- The Girls Spot, a women-only gym in Wandsworth, London, has faced intense backlash after announcing it would be a single-sex space for biological women only.
- TikTok star Barnett, who supports the gym’s policy, has been forced to restrict her social media accounts due to harassment from activists.
“She has been absolutely battered by activists online, calling her all names under the sun,” said Dewberry.
4. Transgender Activists Criticize the Policy
- Transgender broadcaster India Willoughby sarcastically suggested that gyms enforcing biological female-only spaces might require women to undergo an “undie inspection”.
- Critics argue that transgender women face harassment too and should not be excluded from women’s spaces.
The Debate Over Transgender Inclusion vs. Single-Sex Spaces
The clash between inclusivity and women’s rights continues to divide opinions.
Concerns Over Changing Room Policies:
Women’s safety & comfort in single-sex spaces.
The right to female-only spaces without fear of male presence.
Potential for abuse if policies allow self-identification into women’s areas.
Arguments for Transgender Inclusion:
Transgender individuals also face discrimination and harassment.
Preventing access to changing rooms could be seen as exclusionary.
Many gyms adopt inclusive policies to accommodate non-binary and trans members.
Michelle Dewberry’s experience at Virgin Active and the backlash against The Girls Spot gym highlight the growing tensions over transgender inclusion in female-only spaces. While some argue that inclusivity should be prioritized, others believe that single-sex spaces must remain protected.
With big-name gyms adopting gender-inclusive policies, the debate over privacy, safety, and fairness in public facilities is far from over.
