Transgender man sues 24 Hour Fitness after being told to wear shirt in sauna

A transgender man is taking legal action against 24 Hour Fitness for discrimination after being instructed to wear a shirt in a sauna while other patrons were allowed to be shirtless.

Kaileb Harper, a transgender African-American man, filed a lawsuit last month in California state court alleging that an employee repeatedly misgendered him and mocked him by using the incorrect pronouns despite being informed of his preferred pronouns.

Harper, a member of 24 Hour Fitness at the Bellflower, Calif., location, claimed in the lawsuit that he raised concerns about the employee’s behavior to management.

The employee, referred to as “Kenny” in the court documents, upset Harper by insisting that he wear a shirt in the coed sauna while other male-identifying patrons were not required to do so.

According to the lawsuit, Harper previously used the World Trade Center location of 24 Hour Fitness in Long Beach, which had a gender-neutral bathroom.

Initially, the gender-neutral restroom required a key for access, but later it was restricted to staff only, as per the lawsuit.

After losing access, Harper started using the men’s restroom at the gym.

In 2022, another member reportedly noticed scars on Harper’s chest, followed him out of the bathroom, and made him feel harassed due to his transgender identity.

Harper reported the incident to the gym’s management and requested access to the gender-neutral bathroom.

He alleged in the complaint that the management did not make any effort to accommodate him.

In 2023, Harper started using the Bellflower location of 24 Hour Fitness.

Harper claimed in the complaint that despite complaining about Kenny’s behavior to other employees, no investigation was conducted, and subsequent complaints were not escalated to management.

Harper is suing under California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act and for intentional infliction of emotional distress.

“Due to the repeated acts of discrimination and the failure to address it, Mr. Harper has been discouraged from fully enjoying the benefits and accommodations as a member of 24 Hour Fitness,” the complaint stated.

Harper mentioned that as a result, he has suffered financial losses, damage to his career, and emotional distress. He is seeking damages exceeding $35,000.

The New York Post has reached out for comments from Harper and 24 Hour Fitness.