Doris Lange, the owner of a women-only gym in Erlangen, found herself in a legal battle after denying entry to a biological man who identifies as a trans woman.
The man requested access to the gym’s facilities, including changing rooms and showers, but Lange refused. Soon after, Lange received a warning letter from Ferda Ataman, the Federal Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, threatening a potential fine of 1,000 euros for the alleged discrimination. Now, the trans woman is suing Lange for damages, claiming discrimination. Despite the legal pressure, Lange is standing her ground, stating, “We are going through with this,” and has received widespread support, including financial assistance.
The situation began when the trans woman demanded membership in the gym, which caters exclusively to women. Women-only spaces, such as gyms, exist to provide women with a safe, private environment, and Lange had previously considered such requests to be straightforward refusals. However, this issue became more complex in 2024 when the man, identifying as a trans woman, pressed his case. According to Lange’s legal team, the man has legally changed his gender to “female.”
In addition to a negative review of her gym, Lange found herself involved with the Federal Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, who suggested she pay the trans woman a 1,000-euro fine for the alleged discriminatory action. Essentially, Lange is being asked to pay a substantial amount because she wanted to maintain a secure environment for her female clientele.
Seeking legal clarity, Lange pursued a “negative declaratory action,” which would legally confirm that biological men are not entitled to membership in women-only gyms. After waiting several months, she received an 80-page document stating that the trans woman had filed a lawsuit. The Nürnberg-Fürth District Court confirmed the case to Welt.
As reported by Nius, a court hearing is likely. Lange, however, is undeterred and shared her thoughts with NIUS: “We are going through with this: I definitely want clarity on whether I can maintain the safe space for my women.” Lange’s concerns go beyond her gym. She aims to establish clear rules for all women-only spaces to prevent similar legal challenges in the future.
Lange has also garnered financial backing to help with legal expenses, with notable support from the women’s group Frauenheldinnen e.V. This case is not an isolated one; similar incidents are increasing globally, where biological men demand access to women’s spaces based on their gender identity. Examples from around the world include:
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Berlin, Germany: A woman switched gyms after a man exposed himself in the women’s changing room, refusing to use the men’s area.
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Ruhr area, Germany: A gym restricted access to a man who repeatedly entered the women’s changing room, referencing the Self-Determination Act, set to take effect in November 2024.
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North Carolina, USA: A man was arrested for engaging in exhibitionist behavior in the women’s showers at a gym.
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Michigan, USA: A woman lost her gym membership after complaining about a man in the women’s changing room.
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New York, USA: A man with a criminal history of stalking and harassment sued a gym.
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New Jersey, USA: A man filed a lawsuit against a sauna operator after being denied entry to the women’s area, despite the availability of mixed-gender areas.
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Los Angeles, USA: A registered sex offender harassed women and girls in a women’s spa and was later charged.
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Canada: A man filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission after being refused membership at a women’s gym.
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Brazil: A man accused a gym of transphobia after being denied access to a women-only facility.
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Netherlands: A man, aided by the Human Rights Institute, successfully gained entry to women’s changing rooms.
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Norway: A woman was reprimanded by the Discrimination Commission for complaining about a man using the women’s showers.
