Fitness Center Under Investigation for Alleged Same-Sex Marriage Discrimination

Two women in Omaha, Neb., are filing a complaint with the Omaha Human Rights and Relations board over discrimination at Genesis Health Club.

Genesis Health Club of Omaha allows gym-goers to add their spouses to their membership for a discounted rate. However, when Abbey and Mary Cherney attempted to take advantage of this policy they were met with delays and obstacles.

The manager at the Omaha fitness center reportedly told Abbey she would need to provide proof of the marriage. Even after proof was presented, the Cherney’s say it took many weeks for the account to actually be updated. Meanwhile, heterosexual couples were not required to present proof of marriage and their requests were granted immediately.

“Attempting to deny the Cherneys access to the same membership discount enjoyed by heterosexual couples is a violation of their right to be free of discrimination on the basis of sex and sexual orientation. This case is about making sure that Genesis’ policy is applied fairly and equally to all spouses regardless of the couple’s sex or sexual orientation,” Grant Friedman of ACLU of Nebraska said in a press release reported by The Independent.

The city of Omaha prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation in public spaces, including gyms. The Human Rights and Relations board has 10 days to examine the report and connect with the fitness center. They could conduct an investigation if discriminatory practices were in place.

Jake McCabe, vice president of marketing for Genesis Health Clubs, told the Nebraska Examiner, “I suspect that it was something that was executed correctly but maybe not communicated as well as it should have been. I think it really was just legitimately a misunderstanding. We’d love to talk to them to kind of clear it up and make sure that everyone’s on the same page.”

“It’s our hope that Genesis looks at its policies to ensure its health clubs are meant to be for everyone, including anyone whose marriage looks like ours,” the Cherneys told the Nebraska Examiner.