Hey, Gold's! SUCK MUCH?

Sunday, January 17, 2010
I have a friend. We met 20 years ago when we were both serving in the U.S. Navy. We've kept in touch over the years, and she's now living in Utah with her two teen girls, her partner, and their toddler son.

Yes, I said "partner." She's a lesbian*, and she and her partner are married in their own eyes, and have had a commitment ceremony. They have a child together, and share parental rights and responsibilities equally for him.

They also have a "family membership" at Gold's Gym. Except guess what? Gold's Gym won't honor their family membership because evidently gay and lesbian families aren't real families. The fact that they live together, own a home together, hold each others' medical power of attorney and have a child together evidently means they are not in fact a family, but instead are some strange conglomeration of unrelated personages who are CLEARLY TRYING TO GET OVER ON GOLD'S.

Seriously, Gold's. Get a fucking grip and join the 21st century, won't you? They're a family, and they deserve the same consideration that other families get. You're being complete tools, and YOU SUCK.


*Yes, there are gays and lesbians in the military. Some of them are even exemplary service members. Shocking, isn't it?

6 comments:

Steve Buchheit said...

Reason #341 of why I believe we need to have same sex marriages.

Although, for Zoo and Museum memberships I would get family memberships in my wife's name so that we could go, and the sister-in-law could take the nieces and nephews (one of the few benefits of her keeping her last name - yeah, you wouldn't believe the problems we've had with that).

Fathergoose said...

I believe that companies have every right to make decisions such as that. They have the right to run their business anyway they wish. With that said, I feel it is a very poor way to run a business and while I believe in their right, I would never do business with them. People need to make choices such as this known to the companies. Only by hitting such decisions with the wallet will companies be led to make better choices.

mfheadcase said...

^^^ Is not a lawyer, but, if they can show that the contract does not specify "legally married," even in Utah, they may have a case for breach of contract. Also, do you know if this s a corporate policy, or simply local bigotry?

Everything on the corporate site's FAQ refers to the local gyms for any membership questions, Hell, for any questions at all it seems.

Couldn't hurt for your friend to contact corporate and see if the have any policies beyond, "Franchises pay us to use our name and do whatever the fuck they want as long as the checks clear."

Because as far as i can tell from the corporate site, that may well be their only policy, but contacting them, may lead to a change. (Hopefully one towards sanity and away from bigotry.)

Janiece said...

mfheadcase, I honestly don't know. Knowing the couple as I do, I suspect Gold's will not know what's hit them by the time it's all over.

mfheadcase said...

Heh. I like to hear that. If they can force a change in corporate policy, or even a STATEMENT of corporate policy, at least people will know what they are in for.

Dr. Phil (Physics) said...

Well that's it. I am never going to a gym and work out again.

Wow -- a resolution I know I can keep!

Dr. Phil