At least 28 Planet Fitness stores have been targeted by bomb threats after the gym franchise sparked outrage over banning customers who shared photos. transgender A woman shaving in the bathroom.
Media Matters reports that hoax bombs were fired at dozens of stores in 11 states, from Florida to Alabama, following weeks of backlash over the chain’s “trans-inclusive” locker room policy and decision to ban members. A terrorist threat was reported.
Patricia Silva, 67, made headlines in March when she claimed to have witnessed a “man with a penis” washing herself in front of a 12-year-old girl in a girls’ locker room.
Silva was banned from the Alaska gym, and the gym franchise refused to reverse its decision, even though its valuation plummeted by $400 million in the five days after the incident.
Although no bombs were found at any of the facilities, the threat forced dozens of businesses to evacuate their buildings and FBI agents began an investigation.
At least 28 Planet Fitness stores were targeted by bomb threats. A gym franchise sparked outrage after banning a customer who shared a photo of a transgender woman shaving in a bathroom.Photo: A location targeted by a bomb threat in Jackson, Mississippi
Patricia Silva was kicked out of Planet Fitness after sharing a photo of a ‘man with a penis’ that she used to shave in the women’s locker room
The first target of the incident was Fairbanks, Alaska, where Mr. Silva was training and claimed to have seen “a man shaving in the women’s restroom.”
In early March, Silva posted a video on Facebook describing his experience at the gym and shared a photo of the person online.
On March 13, Planet Fitness revoked Silva’s membership and filed a police complaint against her for violating the gym’s policy of taking photos and videos in the locker room.
According to local broadcaster KTVF, an email sent on March 15 stated that a bomb had been placed inside the Planet Fitness store at 1255 Airport Way and that there was a threat to “blow up the building.” ing.
The Fairbanks Police Department said no bomb was found on the premises and the threat was “false.”
Since TikTok’s X account Libs reposted Silva’s video and Planet Fitness’ statement, more locations across the country have reportedly been targeted by bomb threats.
Planet Fitness in Fairbanks, Alaska, which advertises a “judgment-free zone” to its members, canceled memberships after Silva complained about the incident.
Planet Fitness’ policy states that “discomfort is not grounds for denying access to transgender members.”
At least four locations in Providence, Rhode Island, four in Mississippi, three in Connecticut, and six in Michigan reportedly received bomb threats.
Similar incidents were reported at three Planet Fitness stores in Alabama, three in Florida, one in Virginia, one in Maryland and one in Kansas.
More social media users are joining the boycott against gym franchises, and local police departments and the FBI have begun investigating the threat.
In the viral video, Silva is seen finishing a workout at Planet Fitness’ Fairbanks store when a person she calls “a guy with a penis” performs a routine in front of her 12-year-old. He said he saw him doing it. she is a girl
Silva, who previously ran for Fairbanks Borough Council, told “trans women” that they should really use the men’s locker room. Trans women, she responded, say they are “LGB.”
Silva then took a photo of the person, shared it online, and told his story in a Facebook video. She said, “I just came out of Planet Fitness.”
“There is a man shaving in the women’s bathroom. I love him in Christ. He is a spiritual being having a human experience.
“He doesn’t like his gender and wants to be a woman, but I’m not happy with him shaving in the bathroom at home. I thought I’d say it out loud.”
Silva, who has shared QAnon conspiracy theories on social media, also described the encounter in a written online post.
“I went to Planet Fitness…I walked into the bathroom and there was a guy standing there shaving…I looked at him and said, ‘Hey’…He looked up…and I said, ‘You’re a guy shaving in the women’s room, and I’m not OK with that.
“He responded…’Well, I’m LGB…’
“Whatever it was… nevertheless, I told him, ‘You’re a man and you’re invading my space!'”
“He wanted to make an argument to justify why he could be there…I walked away…
“I came out of the locker room and asked the front desk out loud, ‘Are you aware that there are men shaving in the women’s restroom…I’m not OK with that?'” I was standing at the desk. The two men bumped heads and their tails were between their legs! As I was walking out the door…a woman behind me yelled, “It’s a girl”…I yelled back, “It’s a guy!”
“PF canceled my membership and allowed a pedo to stay‼️,” she said.
Her actions clashed with the gym’s commitment to “creating an inclusive and safe environment.”
Silva, from Alaska, appears in a Facebook photo with her husband and daughter.
Defending its “non-judgement” blanket policy, the gym banned Silva from returning to the gym and revoked his membership.
So is Planet Fitness’ statement shared by Libs on TikTok. They reinforced their resolve.
The gym said in a statement that staff “need to work with our members and employees to address this discomfort.” [sharing facilities with transgender members] and to foster a climate of understanding consistent with Planet Fitness’s judgment-free nature. ”
The statement goes on to say, “Planet Fitness staff will provide transgender members with a name, title, pronouns, and other information consistent with their self-reported gender identity, if reasonably known to Planet Fitness staff. We will endeavor to respond using the following terms.”
“Transgender women shall be referred to by their preferred name and feminine pronouns,” the statement said.
And “a transgender man shall be referred to by his preferred name and male pronouns.”
The gym concluded that it “reserves the right to immediately terminate membership in the event of a violation of this policy.”
