This Women's Only Gym Is Under Attack For Not Allowing Transwomen

Natalee Barnett, the fitness influencer behind The Girls Spot, is receiving hate online after announcing that her upcoming women-only gym will be exclusively for biological women. Back in 2021, Barnett was publicly in favor of making her gym trans-inclusive, even stating in an older tweet, "Of course, trans women are welcome at my women-only gym. I don’t see trans women as trans women—I see trans women and women. And if you identify as a woman, then you are of course welcome." But as time went on and her vision for The Girls Spot took shape, her stance shifted. In a recent video, Barnett explained, "We are now four years later, and I have had a great deal of time to figure that out. The Girls Spot gym exists as a safe space for women because women are facing gym harassment, sexual assault, and sexual violence inside of gyms , and I know that because I am a victim of it." She continued, clarifying that her gym will remain a single-sex space for biological women because the majority of women interested in her gym have sought it out due to past experiences with male-perpetrated harassment and assault. Barnett made it clear that her decision wasn’t an impulsive one: "I spent a great deal of time and money, including seeking legal advice, and it was absolutely not a choice made lightly or out of exclusion or malice, but rather out of my commitment to ensuring a space where women who have experienced trauma, harassment, or discomfort in co-ed gyms can feel at ease." Internet Reaction: Fierce Divides and Strong Support Predictably, social media has exploded over Barnett’s announcement. While some are calling her a hypocrite for reversing her earlier statement, others are firmly in her corner. @Salltweets wrote, "Trans activism is pure misogyny. The TERFs wouldn’t stop a single ‘trans person’ from creating a ‘trans-only gym.’ Create what you need, godspeed! But trans activism isn’t about rights—it’s about hatred of women. Unadulterated women hate. It’s why the misogynists love it." Another user, @bibitayooo, questioned the constant push for inclusion at the expense of biological women. "I’m sorry, but why must cis women have to accommodate or be expected to always include trans women in their spaces?" they asked. @serialsockthief tweeted, "If you don’t want to go to a female-only gym, then don’t go to a female-only gym. Leave the female-only gym for women who do want a female-only gym. Go to a mixed-sex gym if that’s what you prefer—nobody’s going to stop you. This hysteria ’cause someone said ‘no’ to men is mental." Barnett’s experience with gym harassment is, unfortunately, not unique. She has shared that she was sexually assaulted at the gym when she was 18 and has since struggled to find a truly safe space to work out. This, she says, is the driving force behind The Girls Spot. She also acknowledges that "every single person deserves to train exactly how they want to, reach their goals how they want to, and feel comfortable while doing it." But as she sees it, creating a gym specifically for biological women is the best way to ensure that the women who need that environment most can have it. Barnett may be facing public outrage, but legally, she appears to be on solid ground. Fiona McAnena, director of campaigns at the human rights charity Sex Matters, told The Telegraph that "there are thousands of gyms in the country, almost all open to both sexes. It’s very telling that there is so much vitriol aimed at one woman running one small gym, just because she wants a male-free space." For now, Barnett isn’t budging, and despite the online uproar, plenty of women stand firmly behind her. Subscribe today to get unlimited access to all of Evie’s premium content.