Mick Hartley

Meanwhile, in Georgia:

A man has been arrested for exposing himself to a 15-year-old girl in the locker room of a Planet Fitness gym in Monroe, Georgia. Despite being aware that the man had a history of indecent exposure, Planet Fitness employees reportedly stated the man had a “right” to use the women’s facilities as per the gym’s gender self-identification policy.

JaKorbie Dixon, 25, was arrested on September 14 following a brief manhunt by Monroe Police. Dixon was charged with multiple counts of indecent exposure, all related to incidents at a local Planet Fitness gym. In addition to exposing himself to a 15-year-old girl, Dixon is also alleged to have exposed himself to a 19-year-old female gym employee.

According to the 15-year-old girl’s aunt, Alexis Dempsey-Peel, the teen had been standing near the showers in the women’s locker room when a man pulled back the curtain and stood in front of her, naked.

Dempsey-Peel says her niece had been “shocked and startled” and quickly started to leave the room. Dixon reportedly called out to the girl that she could stay and continued speaking to her as she hastily exited.

Peel said that she and the girl’s mother went to the gym the next day and spoke to the management about the incident.

Although staff told her that they were aware of several other complaints about the man and knew who he was, they insisted he had a right to use the women’s locker room. Staff also promised to warn him not to expose himself to other people.

The man's right to use the women's changing rooms – because he says he's a woman – outweighs any reported incidents of sexual harrassment.

While Planet Fitness has not confirmed that Dixon identified himself to them as transgender, a “Member Gender identity Non-Discrimination Policy” on their website states: “All members, including transgender members, may use Planet Fitness locker room facilities and programs based on their self-reported gender identity; these facilities include bathrooms, showers, and all other facilities separated by sex.”

The policy continues: “Some members may feel uncomfortable with a transgender member using the same locker room facilities, bathrooms, showers, or other facilities/programs separated by sex. This discomfort is not a reason to deny access to the transgender member. Planet Fitness staff should work with members and employees to address this discomfort and to foster a climate of understanding consistent with the judgement-free character of Planet Fitness.“

Judgement-free – and intelligence-free.