A gay Dallas man claims the Baylor Tom Landry Fitness Center refused to allow him to add his longtime partner to his gym membership, a possible violation of the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance.
Steven Johnson said he’s been with his partner, Roland Crago, for 23 years. Johnson, who works in advertising at The Dallas Morning News, said he tried to add Crago to his gym membership after Crago recently got a job downtown. Now Johnson is calling on the LGBT community to boycott the gym at 411 N. Washington St. in Dallas, which is owned by Baylor University Medical Center.
“I have been going there for the last eight months,” Johnson said Tuesday. “Today I tried to add Roland to my membership — only to learn that they do not accept domestic partners as part of their benefits. I have had numerous health clubs … and all of them have accepted us as family members. So add Tom Landry Fitness Center to your list with Exxon and all the other companies we can not support with our dollars.”
Johnson said gyms where he and Crago have had family memberships in the past include LA Fitness and 24 Hour Fitness.
Phil Tyne, director of the Tom Landry Fitness Center, said he would look into the matter but seemed to confirm Johnson’s statements.
“We can’t put him on as a spouse if they’re not a married couple,” Tyne said.
Asked whether a same-sex partner could be added as a general family member, Tyne said, “I don’t’ think so.”
Beverly Davis, director of Dallas’ Fair Housing Office, said she’s unsure whether such a policy violates the nondiscrimination ordinance, which prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation in public accommodations.
But Davis, who oversees the office that investigates complaints under the ordinance, added that she was surprised that a gym in Dallas wouldn’t allow domestic partner memberships.
“It is so common these days to have different family arrangements,” Davis said. “It would seem to me that most people who are in that business ought to be accustomed to that by now, and would easily make an accommodation to recognize that you have all different kinds of families now.”
Johnson said even though he canceled his membership, he’ll have to continue paying for it until September. He said he planned to contact the Fair Housing Office to file a complaint against the gym.
40 Comments
I’m not trying to defend the gym, however, we need to investigate if unmarried straight partner can be added. It’s only discriminatory when the straight, unmarried, couple can be added as family membership while same sex couple cannot. Otherwise, it’s just their stupid policy that doesn’t view ANY unmarried couple as a family.
People should really be careful with calling everything discriminatory while you can’t get what you want. It’ll soon have the crying wolf effect. I am not saying discrimination doesn’t exist, it’s EVERYWHERE actually..however, not everything is strictly discriminating against gays. One time I went to Aveda, and there was an african american lady in front of me. When the girl who was helping me finding stuff ring her out, the girl (cashier) asked for her (the african american lady) ID. She flipped out and think it’s totally racist because that girl (cashier) didn’t ask for anyone’s ID. But the truth is, the girl (cashier) wasn’t on the register! She was helping me and the lady in front of me was the first one she started checking out.. We cannot let that happen. When the crying wolf effect happens, then people become very less sympathetic towards the whole situation.
Baylor…Kenneth Starr…what do you expect, really? Why would you give your money to that group anyway? It’s like a kid going to the catholic church and not expecting to be groped by a priest.
Eddie, Log Cabin Republican much?
Why go to where you are not wanted, and give them your money. find another gym.
Actually die hard liberal here. I just don’t think people should blame everything to discrimination, then it loses it’s meaning and impact when the real discrimination happens, like the AT&T case not too long ago. Like I said, this one depends on wether the gym let the heterosexual non married partner to registered as family or not. If they do, then it’s def a case of discrimination. If they don’t, then it’s just how stupid and outdated their policy is.
@Eddie… Get off your pedestal. You’re not the arbiter of when discrimination happens and when it doesn’t. Without knowing the situation, you immediately stand on the other side and say we’re all crying wolf while still acknowledging that discrimination happens. Just not here. Just not in the circumstance. WHO THE HELL ARE YOU? Wait…don’t tell me. I’m completely uninterested in any more of your opinions.
Steven & Roland here. Eddie the difference here is while a straight couple that is told they can’t add each other to their membership because they are not married–has the option to evenly be married. While Roland and I are not allowed that opportunity and thus will never be given that benefit. When we are fighting for our rights we are generally talking about big issues like healthcare and taxes, this is just one of those little things that those outside our community don’t realize make a difference in our everyday life.
Tom P, don’t you mean a kid having a GAY priest and not expect to be groped? I don’t think there’s an epidemic of straight priests molesting altar boys. As long as we’re slandering people with accusations of discrimination and bigoted statements on people’s faiths, you could just as soon attribute molestations to their sexual orientation as to their faith.
See what I did there? Make a bigoted funny to make myself feel superior! I must be liberal.
@James you’re absolutely right. Find another gym… one that lets you decide who you get to put on your family membership… maybe it could be your neighbor or your good buddy from Iraq who is as good as a family member. Let’s not let actual policy or intent of that actual policy get in the way.
thank you proving my point.. causing drama when it’s unwarranted. Of course, I wouldn’t have expected you to read anything I’ve said…because if you did, you would actually find it making sense. There’s not enough information to even call this discrimination yet. If a heterosexual couple who’s been together for 50 years (unmarried of course) can’t registered as FAMILY membership, why should a gay couple (unmarried) can? Equality goes both way. If one party can while the other can’t based on their sexual orientation or any other reason, then that’s discrimination.
Eddie, I don’t think your point has been proven; I think you’ve MISSED the point, even after Steven & Roland explicitly stated it in the comments. The point is that unmarried hetero couples have the option of getting married for whatever reason they want — love, tax benefits, gym membership, whatever. Gay couples don’t have that luxury in Texas (or most parts of the country), so this is just another way that we push second-class status on them. I just hope my marriage is as strong and solid after 23 years as their relationship is. Give ’em hell, guys. Love you both.
So any logical, connected argument we make just re-enforces to Eddie that he is the supremely smart person and all the rest of us are dumb. He knows discrimination and all the rest of us are crying wolf. He is the center of the whole universe and everyone else is here to be told to live the way he says. What a perfectly ordered world.
What remains is a couple who’ve been together for over 20 years and can not legally marry is treated differently than a married couple. It’s the basis for keeping unmarried partners out of hospitals, out of child care, out of wills, out of housing, etc.
no Eddie HAS a point – Kim you’re the one that missed it – plain and simple – is it because they’re gay men and unmarried? If they were a straight couple – and unmarried, would they then be allowed the membership – if the answer is NO – then theres the point – if the answer is YES, they would be allowed – then agreed – it’s discrimination – we all have our own opinions on what qualifies as discrimination – at first glance yes, I said this was – then reading Eddie’s “opinion” I understood where he is coming from, and he brings up a good question – not saying that how he worded it / expressed it didn’t offend someone – because I’m sure it did – we as a group are fickle – but personaly, no, it did not offend me, and to repeat again – I understood the root of his post – I am curious myself to know if they would allow a “straight” unmarried couple to be on a “family” membership – I am actually off the next few days – and might have to have an experiment – I have female friends who would help me…hmmmm….
How is it fair to say that we as gay Americans are “crying wolf” or using the “discriminatory” card when we actually cannot get married here in Texas? I was actually LEGALLY married to my wife in CT last year, where gay marriage is legal. This gives me absolutely nothing here in Texas. The day that you homophobic people stop protesting and saying to prohibit gay marriage is the same day we bring out the “cards”. We want love and a relationship just as much as you “straight” people do. Quit trying to put a stop on things that have nothing to do with you!!! Let us live a fulfilling, happy life as you live. I bet our divorce statistics wont be anywhere near yours!!!
Screw this gym, I’ll never give them a dime! Last time I checked, my money was the same color as yours. My wife and I breathe the same air as you, and believe it or not, have the same color running through our vanes as you! Have some respect. Give us what we deserve, what we fight for and what we will continue to fight for. We wont stop until we get what we DESERVE.
In this day and age, any business or employer that does not accomodate domestic partnerships is actively discriminating against gays. It’s that simple.
I’m a black male and I totally see Eddie’s point. I’ve seen other blacks scream racism way too quickly, sometimes unjustly and with very little facts to support the accusation. I’ve also many, many times seen gays deem a situation or person as “homophobic”, and I’m at a loss to see where the term applies. When you needlessly throw such powerful accusations around, people take them less seriously and they no longer seem legitimate.
I understand why people would think that this is discriminatory, and I would be offended by it as well. But all I am saying is.. IF they do let unmarried gay partner to register as a family and deny a heterosexual unmarried couple, is that really the equality that we are fighting for? We are fighting the equality is equal for all.
@steve & Roland. I feel bad for you guys! I really do. I think we all deserve every single rights that straight people have. However, would you think it’s ok if the gym let you register Roland, but denying a straight unmarried couple who’s been together for 32 years? I think the problem here is the gym and domestic partnership (as far as we know since we have no new information), not the gym and the gays.
Unfortunately, I will have to agree with Eddie and BDUB. If Jimmy and his baby’s mama can’t get a family membership at this gym then it’s no different from a same-sex couple being denied the access. Of course, Jimmy can always marry his gf and partake of this option but that might not be their choice in life. I know it sux but that’s life in Texas. We definitely need more information and an experiment. I am curious to know if they offer the plan to an unmarried straight couple. This way you have absolute proof and you have a co-plaintiff in a lawsuit.
I suggest you take your money elsewhere, like 24 Hr Fitness downtown, and demand they terminate your contract so you’re not obligated to keep spending money there.
In the future, do some research before committing to a contract like a gym membership, much like you (as we all should) research a potential employer to see if they offer domestic partner benefits.
Someone should come up with an Android and iPhone app that let’s you type in a company name and have it give you a “thumbs up” or a “thumbs down” and warn queer folk not to spend any money with them.
This would result in a fast 10% loss of income for many of these groups and allow us to provide financial benefits to those who truly deserve it.
I.e. if you aren’t in the Blacklist, then you must be worth it until otherwise proven differently.
With all the programming geeks out there, you’d think that queer folk could have figured this out already…
(Note to self: slap the next queer geek you see upside the back of his head)
I ran into this exact same situation a few years ago with two different clubs. Unmarried opposite sex couples could get family memberships, unmarried same sex couples could not. I politely explained that my partner and I had been together for years, that both of our names were on the deeds to all of our homes and that we had wills leaving all of our assets to each other upon death. I then blatantly asked, “What’s the difference?” Both clubs–Signature Athletic Club (now defunct) and North Dallas Athletic Club (now Telos Fitness Center) admitted that we had valid justification for our request and that they would allow us to purchase family memberships. The membership director at North Dallas Athletic Club (now Telos) even apologized, explaining that “We’ve simply never been approached by a same sex couple, so we have never needed to address your situation”. She then added, “We appreciate your business.”
Well, to be honest, if they are discriminating against unmarried straight couples without any legal requirement to do so, then they should be boycotted for that reason too.
It’s like when Enterprise rent a car charges extra to list a second driver if you’re not married. There’s no need for that. It’s just blatant discrimination on the basis of marital status. And that’s an issue gay couples commonly face.
This is the shit we need to be OUTRAGED about and call them out on this. I am sure they have done it before. GET EQUAL!!!!!
THis is a call for action not talk.
Hi all,
We’re sorry that Steven and Roland had this issue. We’re looking into it and will be in touch soon with possible options. Apologize for this inconvenience.
Jennifer Coleman
Sr. Vice President, Consumer Affairs
Baylor Health Care System
the possible option should be AMENDING your membership rules – extend family memberships to same sex couples, as well as unmarried straight couples – that would be equality – giving them the same options of couples that have a piece of paper from the state. Even golds gym, on McKinney – as pretentious as they are allow same sex couples, and unmarried couples a family membership.
Everyone, this was an interesting suggestion about what may be a trend in health clubs in Texas and the family definition that we definitely will research. It’s important to us that people use our fitness center to get healthy and stay that way, and we’ll see what our research yields. I can’t swear to it, but I am not sure this has come up before so please give us a little time to review. Thanks, and if you want to comment please send me a note at baylorhealth@gmail.com.
Jennifer Coleman
Sr. Vice President, Consumer Affairs
Baylor Health Care System
Jennifer, I think your organization has already provided all of the “possible options”. When someone shows up with checkbook in hand and they are turned away for reasons such as the one your manager provided, that only leaves the customer with one “possible option”. And according to the customer in his comment above, he has already taken advantage of the only “possible option” available to him. And based on your organization’s response, clearly that was the best option available. And on a side note, the Dallas Voice is not the only media that will carry this story; it will definitely show up again.
Actually, his partner is welcome to join; the issue has to do with him joining under a discounted membership. He would not be turned away under a regular membership.
Jennifer Coleman
Sr. Vice President, Consumer Affairs
Baylor Health Care System
Ms. Coleman,
We are quite aware that Steven’s partner can have a membership at your facility. Anyone can join your facility. The question is what your gym defines as a “family” and how it relates to “families” that don’t fit into your criteria. Many comments are quick to imply that this is discrimination based on sexual orientation when it’s quite possible that you don’t recognize ANY union outside of legal marriage (gay or straight). I am hoping that it’s the latter. This could be a problem for your facility in the future since there is trend towards opting out of legal marriage among heterosexuals couples.
While I apprecite Ms. Colemans responses – we are talking damage control right now
The policy was clearly stated by the Baylor Fitness Center Staff
The best possible outcome is a public statement of a change in policy – an “oops the employee in question did not know” is all too often used to cover the continued discriminatory practices of business after business
And quite frankly, given the situation – I am not sure how comfortable I’d be even if there was a public announcement – the damage is done
As an HR person, I would also strongly suggest Diversity Training for Ms. Coleman’s staff
If you want to get equal – then take your business – and I am not talking just a gym membership- I am talking Health Care – else where! However, do not risk your quality of care to do so – just those of us that may have options and it’d be enough of us.
If you can switch providers to a non-Baylor care provider – and tell them why – it will be those voices that speak the loudest. Healthcare dollars are one of the biggest line items for companies like Baylor.
I am also a strong advocate for protests! When we take back to the streets – things will change.
I think we get the point that he can join on HIS OWN – that is not the point of any of this – obviously if you denied him a single membership for being gay, then that would be an even BIGGER issue! And the fact you request us to “comment” at your personal email address just proves that you don’t want anymore negative press – it would then become a he said, she said situation – we’re gay, not stupid!
ya know, honestly – I’ve tried to really stay in the middle on this, and hope that it was something that could be ammended, and possibly worked out – but the more Ms. Coleman continues to put her foot in her own mouth – the more upset I get by all of this.
Thank you MarkT, Gay folk need to get angry and take actions. We got the power we just have to use it in the right way. They don’t fear us as a political force that’s why they do the shit they do to us. I am not leaving my equality in the hands of those who do not want to take action. I am tired of talking about it it’s time to do something about it. (GET EQUAL) Anyone out there want to talk about this to take action email me at; getequaldallas.gmail.com
@look…I agree but we can’t go off half-cocked. I’m still not convinced that this is totally about sexual orientation. Find me a unmarried straight couple who went through the same shit and then I’ll increase/decrease my level of pissed-off. Until then I’m gonna assumed that it’s based on marital status and the gym’s old-fashioned definition of family. Either way we have a case of discrimination. We just need to know which angle to come from.
I disagree with Eddie, BDUB, and most especially, Tisha.
I have never heard of a gym requiring proof of relationship beyond that of an ID with a common address. I doubt that this center required a certificate of marriage from anyone to add on a spouse. That would be, after all, the only way to prove your marriage since women more frequently retain their own last names.
The point is valid that heterosexual couples have the option to enter into marriage to get the gym benefits. Even if they do discriminate against common-law married heterosexual couples (and I doubt they do) the fundamental difference exists that they have the ability and we don’t.
Does anyone remember the poll tax? How about literacy tests before you could vote? That both things applied to all Americans equally did not convince the Supreme Court that they did not disproportionately and unfairly affect people of color.
I recommend everyone find another gym. LA fitness, where I have my membership, allowed my former roommates, two gay men in a relationship, to have a family membership – they even allowed me to enroll as a family member. I can add a ‘family’ member with the click of a button online.
Tisha, you assume I would do something half-cocked. Trust me I am ALL COCK! I will say this NOTHING is getting done talking about it. Like I said if you want to get together and hold them accountable for their actions, lets do that otherwise keep talking about it.
I am going to go GET EQUAL!
A direct quote from the initial posting by a Baylor Health Club Staff Member
“We can’t put him on as a spouse if they’re not a married couple,” Tyne said. “It goes directly with the state law of Texas on what defines a marriage.”
It could not be clearer that their business is alighned with fundamental discrimination.
The fact that the hospital allows visitation? Hello? Can anyone say cash cow? Of course they do. I would be interested to see if they have this documented in writing in a supportive diversity statement!! (Note: this is not a reflection on the wonderful staff at Baylor – may of them are wonderful care providers) This is an institutional philosophy issue.
It’d be really nice to see an Instant Tea on Get Equal and understand their mission/purpose and events. Our community needs to be ready to respond to these types of issues.
the point wasn’t whether they are legally married – my point was ‘would they have done the same thing to an UNMARRIED straight couple’ – who yes, can get married – more power to em – it’s their divorce rate – I never once said that valid hetero couples do or do not have the option and we do not – again, to repeat – my only point was ‘would they do the same to a straight UNMARRIED couple’ or would they allow them?
Wow…you mean a same sex partner could join under a separate membership, Jennifer? You don’t say! Thank you for stating the obvious. I’m sure we are all more enlightened now that you’ve cleared that up. Let me translate that for the less educated: Baylor discriminates based on sexual orientation and our definition of family, and we are going to continue to discriminate on that basis. We’ll give you lip service and make promises, but those promises are going to be carefully worded so that we’re off the hook if we don’t do anything to rectify this situation and make it right to the member and the general public. And to think I almost joined Baylor a couple of years ago. I would *love* to have a chat with the self-righteous, arrogant, pious bastards that are running that place…
You are more than welcome to join our gym. We don’t grant family memberships to boyfriend’s or girlfriend’s but domestic partners we do. Body Tech Personal Training. bodytechpersonaltraining.com