Gym owner responds after causing controversy over 'single sex' space that is for 'biological women only'

Warning: This article contains discussion of discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community which some readers may find distressing

Gym owner Natalee Barnett has issued a response following controversy online after she announced that her 'single sex' gym is for 'biological women only'.

The decision marks a 180 U-turn from Natalee who, in 2021 announced that her women's only gym, The Girls Spot, would always welcome trans women.

And now the gym, which has come about following four years of fundraising, is set to open its doors but the 25-year-old fitness influencer has backtracked massively on her initial inclusivity policy.

The Girls Spot was originally designed with the idea in mind to include all women - that includes trans women.

"Respectfully, if you have a problem with trans women attending my gym then you can find another gym to train at," Natalee wrote on X in 2021. "I have discussed this several times before.

"Trans women are women and also a minority that need to be protected. Please keep your transphobia away."

The following year in 2022, Natalee also opened up in an interview with Glamour about the 'endless benefits' of a women-only space.

"The benefits of a women-only space are endless," she said. "The ability to lean on other women and be in their exact position. Reducing the gym intimidation and gym harassment experienced, meeting other mums and women who share similar experiences even outside the gym day to day.

"As well as allowing Muslim women, plus size women and transgender women a safe, inclusive space to train daily."

However, it's clear Natalee has changed her stance since as, in one video which has gone viral on social media a few days back (9 March), she referenced the 2021 tweet and explained why the inclusivity policy behind the gym had now changed.

"When I made that tweet in 2021, I had just announced my plans to open a women’s-only gym. I hadn’t fully thought out the vision or mission of what it would entail," she said.

"The Girls Spot exists as a safe space for women because we’re facing gym harassment, sexual assault, and violence in gyms - I know this because I am a victim of it. The meaning of The Girls Spot is now entirely different.”

Taking to Instagram earlier this week on Tuesday (11 March), Natalee shared a video alongside a lengthy statement where she addressed 'the recent response to my announcement about The Girls Spot being a single-sex space and operating as female-only'.

She began: "I wholeheartedly sympathise with Trans women and allies who feel hurt by my recent announcement and I appreciate that the decision to operate in this way will come to as a disappointment to some.

"The Girls Spot is absolutely committed to ensuring that it is a safe space for biological women, particularly those who have previously been victims of harassment, assault or overall negative experiences at traditional gyms or feel vulnerable in these spaces.

"This is why The Girls Spot aims to have close contact classes such as self-defence classes and Muay Thai and host events, workshops and activations around PCOS and training on your menstrual cycle. This has been the unwavering driver behind The Girls Spot and I am excited to launch this space."

Natalee went on to state: "I want to be clear, I am in no way saying that trans women don’t face adversity or that they don’t deserve a safe space because they absolutely do. We’re all entitled to be treated with kindness and respect.

"The Girls Spot is no different to many other businesses and we operate in accordance with carefully considered financial budgets, balanced by location, operating hours and longevity, meaning it isn’t possible in our early stages to provide all-alternatives."

Explaining that the decision to have The Girls Spot as a 'single sex gym for those biologically female' was 'not an easy decision' and something that she 'thought over for many years', Natalee continued: "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.

"That has always been my mission and drive behind the business."

She concluded the post adding: "The Girls Spot is on a long journey and I will continue to listen learn and lend my support for there to be inclusive fitness spaces for all.

"My hope is that every woman cis and trans finds a space as they need to feel secure strong and empowered."

Some people seemed in support of Natalee's decision, with one social media user declaring: "It’s her business, it’s her choice."

"Private business can do whatever tf they want," added a second, while a third said: "I support this!"

Many others, however, stated that a number of Natalee's statements were transphobic, exclusionary and disappointing, all while questioning how the gym would be able to 'vet' who was a trans woman and who was a cis woman.

"I’m confused how experiencing sexual assault from a man leads to the exclusion of some women. To me it reflects that you don’t see trans women as women. I also can’t see how you can enforce this. It concerns me some of the clear transphobia in the comments that also isn’t being addressed," wrote a fourth person.

Another penned: "YOUR TRAUMA AND EXPERIENCE ON SEXUAL ASSAULT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE TRANS COMMUNITY. The face that you are attaching them together is dangerous and harmful."

"Nope," wrote a final person. "The fact that you even brought sexual assault to the table as justification for excluding trans women is so wrong. Trans women are not a threat to cis women. Never have been and never will be. Cis men are the physical threat. To all of us."

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the LGBT Foundation on 0345 3 30 30 30, 10am–6pm Monday to Friday, or email [email protected]