A major gym chain is being investigated by Missouri‘s Attorney General after it allowed a trans woman to use a female locker room.
Eris Montano, who has legally changed her gender, was accosted by a fellow gym goer whilst at the Ellisville Lifetime Fitness on Monday.
A dispute has since ensued and police were ultimately involved, after someone filed a complaint on Friday morning, FirstAlert4 reports.
Following complaints by constituents, Rep. Justin Sparks called for an investigation and the matter has been picked up by Attorney General Andrew Bailey.
‘While it might be considered fashionable in certain corporate boardrooms to pretend that biology is irrelevant, the American heartland still lives in reality,’ Bailey said in a statement.
Lifetime Fitness chain is being investigated by Missouri ‘s Attorney General after it allowed trans woman Eris Montano to use a female locker room
‘Missourians recognize that allowing adult men to openly invade and disrobe in spaces set aside for women and young girls is indefensible and places political correctness above public safety.’
He confirmed he is ‘issuing subpoenas’ and that the gym faces potential criminal and civil liability for putting, ‘Missouri’s women and girls in harm’s way’.
He stated that Montano’s presence in the female locker room could be tantamount to criminal trespass.
Montano, 52, became the subject of a protest against the gym’s trans inclusive policy after Sparks called a press conference demanding the investigation.
‘We’ve decided to take a stand and ensure that the safety of our community comes first,’ Sparks told the crowd.
However, counter protesters also showed up to offer their support.
Montano insists she was just exercising her right to exist in public and says she takes care to maintain her privacy and avoid conflict.
Montano, who has legally changed her gender, was accosted by a fellow gym goer whilst at the Ellisville facility on Monday
Rep. Justin Sparks (R-Wildwood) called a press conference after receiving complaints from constituents about the issue
Protesters and counter protesters showed up to the press conference
‘There have been way more people in the locker room who have come up to me to give me hugs and tell me I belong there,’ she said.
‘People who think others would find nudity in locker rooms tantalizing are literally telling on themselves none of the rest of us get even slightly excited by that stuff,’ she added in a post on X.
Minnesota-based Life Time Fitness said its policies were merely complicit with Missouri law.
‘In this instance, the member presented a state-issued drivers’ license identifying as female and, based on Missouri laws, we cannot deny or discriminate on the basis of sex,’ a statement read.
‘Therefore, the member is to use Life Time’s women’s locker room.’
Montana said she had also managed to work out a solution with lawmakers on Friday, without specifying what this is.
AG Attorney Andrew Bailey pledged to ‘issue subpoenas’ and said the gym could be criminal and civilly liable
Lifetime Fitness said it was just following state law since Montano has legally changed gender
‘Tonight I sat down with rural conservative Missourians and hashed out a solution to the locker room conundrum that should satisfy everyone who wants there to be an actual resolution (the idea was mostly theirs and I am SO grateful),’ Montana wrote.
‘I will never NOT believe in engagement and listening and I’m still going to demand justice from anyone who defamed me or misused their government position to deny my rights as a citizen.’
Ellisville Police confirmed it is investigating to determine if any crime had actually occurred.