In 2015 Yvette Cormier filed a lawsuit against Planet Fitness in Midland County, Michigan after seeing a biological man who claimed to be transgender in the women’s locker room. Cormier warned other gym members.

Planet Fitness cancelled her membership, explaining that the club allows members to enter whichever locker room matches their “identity.”

Judge Michael J. Beale of the Midland County Circuit Court dismissed Cormier’s appeal in 2016. She then took her case to the Michigan Court of Appeals. Her lawsuit was again dismissed. She then took the case to the Michigan Supreme Court. And last week, the highest legal body in Michigan reversed Beal’s ruling, and ruled in favor of Cormier.

The court concluded the gym failed to inform the plaintiff of its policy allowing biological males into the women’s locker room and restroom. Had the plaintiff known beforehand, she wouldn’t have joined the gym. She learned of this policy after the fact, however, and thus suffered a financial loss since she canceled her membership earlier than the agreed upon date.

Another Case

Liberty Counsel, a nonprofit litigation and policy organization, is defending “Mrs. H,” who has a similar case. Planet Fitness revoked her membership after she complained about Jordan Rich, a biological man who entered the women’s locker room in May 2018. Rich proceeded to threaten her, and later even chased her into the parking lot.

Liberty Counsel maintains that this is sex-based harassment, and is demanding that Planet Fitness reinstate “Mrs. H’s” membership.