Florida Attorney General Alerts Tony Gym After Woman Encounters 'Man in a Bikini' in Locker Room

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has issued a stern warning to Life Time Fitness in Palm Beach Gardens, demanding the gym modify its bathroom and locker room policies or face legal consequences under the state's "Let Kids Be Kids" law.

The move comes after a complaint from Sonja Horton, a member who reported encountering a person she identified as a biological male in the women’s locker room sauna. Horton said she was told by the front desk that "whatever you identify as, you can go wherever you want," raising her concerns about safety and fairness for female patrons.

"Men don’t belong in female restrooms and locker rooms. That’s not happening in Florida under my watch," Uthmeier stated. He emphasized the state’s commitment to protecting women and children from what he described as harmful gender ideology. "Life Time has a choice: immediately change your policy so that your female patrons can stay active, free from fear and with their privacy intact or, we’ll meet you in court," he warned.

The letter sent by Uthmeier to Life Time Inc. asserted that the current practice "clearly harm[s] and endanger[s] women who use facilities at Life Time Palm Beach Gardens." The gym, according to Uthmeier, pointed to Palm Beach County’s code, which recognizes gender identity as a protected class and allegedly requires such inclusive policies.

However, Uthmeier insisted that "if that were true, the policy would nonetheless run afoul of Florida laws that safeguard the fundamental rights of women."

Horton, who issued the complaint, expressed feeling unsafe during her experience and stated it was not "fair" that biological men could use women’s locker rooms. This incident has intensified the ongoing debate over the intersection of local anti-discrimination ordinances and statewide legislation championed by Governor Ron DeSantis.

In response to the attorney general’s warning, a Life Time official said the company had "carefully reviewed" Uthmeier’s letter and his interpretation of the legal landscape. The gym highlighted its compliance with all "applicable federal, state and local public accommodation laws within each jurisdiction it operates," and noted that state law—per Uthmeier’s opinion—requires access be based on the sex listed on government documents. "Accordingly, we will comply with Attorney General Uthmeier’s legal opinion while also remaining committed to welcoming all members at our Palm Beach Gardens club," the official said.

A spokesperson for Governor DeSantis, Brian Wright, reiterated the administration’s position: "In Florida, we reject the lie that men can become women and support the privacy and safety of women's private spaces, like locker rooms." The governor’s office underscored its stance that safety and privacy remain paramount in the state.

The Palm Beach County government was contacted for comment regarding the interpretation and application of local statutes versus state law, but no public response has been given as of press time.

• Attorney General Uthmeier affirms intent to enforce state law protecting women’s spaces.
• Life Time Fitness says it will follow the legal requirements set forth by the state.
• The incident highlights ongoing tensions between local anti-discrimination ordinances and new Florida legislation.

The controversy reflects broader national debates over gender identity, public accommodation laws, and the protection of women’s spaces, with Florida officials making it clear that the state intends to prioritize privacy and safety in such environments.