At least 17 Planet Fitness gym locations across the country have reportedly received bomb threats following an anti-transgender campaign by right-wing media outlets, including Chaya Raichik’s Libs of TikTok (LoTT). according to the left-leaning media watchdog group Media Matters.
On March 11, Raichik and other outlets began criticizing Planet Fitness for allowing transgender girls and women into women’s locker rooms. Raichik claimed that the gym chain has “a history of making women unsafe in the women’s locker rooms.” As “proof,” she cited several incidents of harassment at Planet Fitness gym conditions committed by adults who may or may not have identified as transgender. Raichik’s campaign spread to other right-wing media outlets like Fox News, the OutKick podcast (a FoxCorp. outlet),
The Daily Wire broadcasts of transphobe Matt Walsh, and numerous other social media accounts. “In the subsequent weeks, LoTT has continued to post about the gym, attempting to generate outrage by accusing Planet Fitness of a range of offenses, including ‘
discriminating against White peoplegrooming kids,’ ‘putting a mentally ill man’s delusions before women’s safety,’ ‘,’ and allowing ‘people to act out their s*xual f*tishes in public,'” Media Matters reported.Since LoTT began its campaign against the gym chain, there have been bomb threats reported against Planet Fitness locations in
Fairbanks, Alaska , four locations inProvidence, Rhode Island , four locations in and aroundJackson, Mississippi locations in, various , and six locations in ConnecticutWayne County, Michigan , the watchdog organization added.Raichik’s past campaigns against LGBTQ+-allied hospitals and educators have
repeatedly resulted in death and bombing threats against those she highlights. The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) recently added Raichik to its public database of extremist individuals , organizations, and ideologies.The Planet Fitness chain is widely known for being a self-proclaimed “judgement-free zone,” a welcoming environment where people of all kinds can exercise without fear of intimidation and ridicule from other members. Its gender identity nondiscrimination policy states that members and guests may use all gym facilities based on their sincere self-reported gender identity. The gym has consistently stood up to transphobic members who harass and threaten trans patrons, even as red state legislators ban trans people from sports teams and school facilities.
Additionally, the chain
has observed Pride Month , writing, “We strive to create a community where everyone is included and feels like they belong. Not just this month, but every day.” Ithas also partnered with the It Gets Better Project to help support LGBTQ+ youth. To “protect girls and women,” some individuals are threatening to kill both.
