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Year Three, Day 257: There's a Man in the Women's Locker Room




I made it to the gym again this morning! Most proud of self! I am still operating under the theory that there is never enough time to really do anything right, so I do a little bit of everything each day. It's working for me!  If I ever do get a big chunk of time, however, I plan on a long workout, a long piano practice session, a long nap!


Today was a short workout. Upper body weights, steam room and shower.  

I was on a tight schedule. I needed to catch the Max to lunch and then home to repack my backpack. Tonight I am heading over to Vancouver after I teach. I have Baby Gracie duty tomorrow!

As I was lifting weights, I noticed a young man. He stood out, because he was slender with really developed lat muscles.  And a wig. A woman's wig. It didn't seem to fit him too well. He kept readjusting it. Forgive me this assessment, but it brought to mind Norman Bates in the movie "Psycho" when he dressed up as his mother. Before he killed people.

Sorry.

Anyway, I didn't stare. It is Portland. People are free to be who they are. As long as they don't hurt anyone. Or kill people.

But then...I was fresh out of the shower, getting dressed, when a woman my age started talking to me about a class she took. We had a lovely conversation. Just as I had gotten fully dressed and eased into my backpack, I noticed the Norman Bates look alike from the corner of my eye. He was choosing a locker.  Then he looked around, messed with his wig and started to undress.

Most uncomfortable was I!  The other women glanced at him and glanced away. Everyone was fully dressed. But there was a strange feeling in the air.  I headed out to catch the Max. I had a schedule to keep. But I couldn't shake the odd feeling that locker room encounter left me with.


As I waited at the Max station, my daughter called. I told her I had a controversial topic for my blog today.

Then I told her about the man in the women's locker room.

She was shocked. She told her husband. He was shocked. They suggested I contact the gym and ask them their policy.

So I took a deep breath. I was a little nervous. I don't like to make waves. But I dialed the number anyway. 

I guess being a member of the "me too" movement gave me courage.

A young lady answered. I told her about my l locker room experience. I told her I was fine. But uncomfortable. I asked what the policy was for such matters at their club.

I wasn't sure what I expected. But her scripted answer was a surprise.

"Yes", she replied as if she expected the question. "We have had a few calls about this."

Then she broke into her spiel:

"If a person is transitioning to the opposite sex, they are free to use the bathroom of the gender they are transitioning to. Otherwise, men are not allowed in the ladies locker room."

"That makes sense", I said. "But he - or she - was in the locker room, and we were all in various stages of undress. I felt uncomfortable. I think several other ladies did too. I wonder if you should post a notice?"

At which point the young lady repeated her spiel. At the end she said, "You could change in the bathroom stall if you want privacy". 

I thanked her for her time and hung up.

Interesting.  We are heading into new territory.

I suppose it wouldn't hurt me to change in the stall.

On that note, I'm heading to bed. Baby Gracie wakes up early in the morning. A grandma must be prepared!

Talk to you tomorrow.

Love,

Zita

P.S. Here is today's hoop video. Day 218!





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