In 2021, The Girls Spot owner, Natalee Barnett, made a clear statement on social media supporting trans women’s right to train at her facility. “Respectfully, if you have a problem with trans women attending my gym then you can find another gym to train at,” she posted. “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.”  

However, in a now-viral video that has garnered nearly 45 million views, Barnett explained that her views had since 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.”  

This shift has sparked widespread backlash, with many expressing disappointment and frustration. “Very disappointing to see you backtrack, but not surprised. So many supposed ‘allies’ don’t actually have the backbone to defend us and unpack their prejudice,” one person commented. Another added, “I have never felt threatened by my trans sisters. I’m disgusted.”  

Others pointed out the ethical concerns of fundraising under the impression of inclusivity. “You said this gym would be safe for trans women too and accepted all their donations when crowdfunding, and now you’re casting them aside? You stole their money after promising they would be included too. This is so disappointing,” one Instagram user wrote.  

Addressing her decision on her Instagram story on March 10, Barnett reaffirmed that while she acknowledges the adversity trans women face, The Girls Spot would remain a space for what she described as exclusively ‘biological women’.

With no further information on how this will be reinforced, many gym goers are now removing themselves from the gym’s waitlist and instead moving towards queer specific gyms.