How is it legal that my Virgin Active gym has dedicated women only are while we pay the same?

ThePigmanAgain · 2015-12-09T01:16:17+00:00

You think that's bad. In Australia women-only gyms are legal, men-only gyms are illegal.

DavidByron2 · 2015-12-08T23:48:58+00:00

how come they won't loose the very first law suit against them

They would. It's 100% illegal with similar cases establishing precedent. If you don't want to sue you might be able to get the Equality Commission on to them on your behalf although I think that UK gov group had a lot of its funding for that sort of thing cut? Anyway you could try inquiring of your local Citizens Advice Bureau about what your options might be.

It's against the law but they reckon men will be too shamed to complain or sue.

derpylord143 · 2015-12-08T23:48:36+00:00

I would consider speaking to a lawyer, as you are paying the same, you can expect the same, and since the difference is caused by gender its "sexism", I can't say for certain it will win, but i expect if a lawyer is involved they will simply lower your fees... - then you start telling all the guys and it gets lowered for every male, or they simply remove the gendered floor space.

Diffident-Dissident · 2015-12-09T00:33:58+00:00

It is not legal (see Equality Act 2010)

Under section 29 :

(2) A service-provider (A) must not, in providing the service, discriminate against a person (B)— (a) as to the terms on which A provides the service to B; (b) by terminating the provision of the service to B; (c) by subjecting B to any other detriment.

This would be classed as direct discrimination (Section 13) :

(1) A person (A) discriminates against another (B) if, because of a protected characteristic, A treats B less favourably than A treats or would treat others.

As far as I know, any common exemptions to these laws do not relate to sex (an exemption is services are allowed to have age discrimination in the form of OAP discounts, for example).

The best course of action at this point is to write a letter to the company outlining the problem and including the above sections of the Equality Act 2010 and see what happens from there. If they don't respond (if this happens send it again to make sure) or refuse to take action, try contacting the Equality Advisory Support Service.

McFeely_Smackup · 2015-12-09T01:50:06+00:00

You should use the women's area and force the issue.

user1492 · 2015-12-09T03:38:10+00:00

Are there more women at your gym?

Is the gym typically crowded?

Are there equal machines in the non-segregated part of the gym?

In other words, are you actually hurt by the segregation, or is there some rational reason why the gym might have a "women's only" section?

If you are actually hurt, you can sue the gym. If you're just upset over the segregation, complain to your local government office. At least they can do some good.

derpylord143 · 2015-12-09T08:09:09+00:00

Ask for a discount in order for you you not to bring a legal claim. Take them a copy of the equalities act. It is illegal to discriminate in the provision of services based on gender. Tell them you were not made aware of the extra benefits women get when you signed up. etc. This would be a very easy legal case to win in the UK since they are obviously in breach of the law. I do not know why more men ask for a discount. the way courts work is that they apply the letter of the law so prove they are in contravention and you have won your case. I am sure they will settle before court.

2015-12-09T08:14:47+00:00

I think they will lose the law suit. Write to them as suggested by others and ask them for their comments. If it were me I would be requesting a 50% fee rebate on what I had already paid.

Wargame4life · 2015-12-09T08:37:02+00:00

its illegal under EU law since it offers different terms and services based on gender which is not objectively valid

if it was a female only gym then it would be fine, if it was different rates to reflect the different service then fine, if it was a private club with an interview process to join (like a golf club) then fine.

but as it is a company is offering a service with different terms based on gender which is illegal

jamminnummeruno · 2015-12-09T08:41:38+00:00

Here in Germany my gym has the same policy. I complained that it was sexist discrimination and they laughed at me.

Title	How is it legal that my Virgin Active gym has dedicated women only are while we pay the same?
Author	griii2
Upvotes	42
Comments	23
Date	December 8, 2015 10:34 PM UTC (10 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/MensRights
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/3vzqqt/how_is_it_legal_that_my_virgin_active_gym_has/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/MensRights/how-is-it-legal-that-my-virgin-active-gym-has.965543 https://theredarchive.com/post/965543

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