Why is it that health clubs in Texas seem to be more afraid of LGBT families than any other type of business? In Dallas, Baylor eliminated family memberships rather than give a family membership to one gay couple.
Now, in Tyler, a lesbian couple wants to join the YMCA, but the organization won’t allow them to.
Well, the YMCA did allow them to join as a family when their 10-year-old son was on the swim team. But now that the organization doesn’t get anything out of deal, the YMCA reportedly says no.
We reached the office of YMCA of Tyler CEO Stuart Gilpin to get their comment, but he did not return a call.
Suzy Sheridan, one of the lesbian moms, created a Change.org petition that she wants others to sign to encourage the YMCA to be more family-friendly to all families. The petition already has more than 4,000 signatures.
Sheridan could not immediately be reached for further comment. Here’s her story from Change.org:
The Tyler YMCA has discriminated against my family and denied letting us join under the family plan because we are not a traditional family. My life partner and I have been together for over twenty years and have a 20 year old son. We also assist another young man who has lived with us nearly two years. I was told I would have to produce a marriage certificate before they would let us join under the family plan. I told them that was not possible since I live in Texas and our long time relationship was not recognized in this state. I told them that I felt they were being discriminatory. What’s ironic is that they didn’t have a problem letting us join under the family plan when our son swam on their swim team 10 years ago. I feel they should have a policy across the board for all their facilities allowing all types of families to join their organization.
