Rude Employee

Today was a normal day, unlike any other when arriving at the Durbanville branch for gym. I'm a transwoman, and unfortunately looking very manly still, having only been on hormone replacement for 3 weeks now. I have been very comfortable at the gym since coming out and being myself, the odd weird looks here and there, but it doesn't bother me. What bothers me is when an employee blatantly laughs at you when you pull out your purse at the counter to get your card out to enter the gym.

She literally pointed at it, told me "It's a ladies purse" and starts laughing. I said "I know it is, I'm trans...what's the problem?". She continues to laugh at me so I just turn around and carry on walking into the gym to begin my workout.

I know I don't look the way I want to yet, and I get not everyone is going to understand, but it is extremely unprofessional to directly laugh at your members for, essentially, being themselves.

I know I stand out, but FFS I don't want to be laughed at to my face by employees of the gym that I go to AT LEAST 6 days a week. The gym is my second home, I'm still passionate about my bodybuilding, my goals have just changed. It has come to the point now where that single interaction has me not wanting to go back.

And what will be done? Probably nothing, that's the worse part. All I can do is complain and speak to someone higher up...but that's not saying they'll do anything about it.