Queer man claims he was ‘told to stop dancing’ at World Gym

Damien McLean is a Brisbane man who claims he was told to stop making people “offensive” by dancing between sets at World Gym branches, and says he’s “shaking” his butt in a gym environment in protest against “toxic masculity.”

Last month, MacLean Q: In an interview with News Staff at the World Gym in Ipswich asked them to stop dancing in order to “put people off.”

The 44-year-old, who identifies as queer, tells Pink News that he consciously wears sparkly jewelry and chooses to paint his nails as a sign of pride to be queer.

He said he would join the gym to build muscle as a form of rehabilitation from injuries he developed to work as a gardener.

“I think Jim is a very uncomfortable place for people who hate toxic masculinity, just like the Australian gyms tear it off,” he says.

“I live in dances, I live for drugs. My dance is a strange expression and a celebration of life,” the garden cultivation expert spoke about dancing in the gym, adding that he was “visible” with his oddity to show others the right thing to use spaces without “fears and ridicule horrors.”

“So, with this in mind between sets, I like to practice my lip-syncing skills by swinging my hips, shaking my ass, touching them left and right. I’ll make sure I don’t get into anyone’s personal space and I’ll ensure I’m at a good distance.”

MacLean described his dance as “protest” and an act that “allows the exposing bias against openly strange men who are not ashamed of their strangeness.

McLean argued that World Gym management “ignored” him and led him to seek legal advice.

World Gym Ipswich told Pink Neus: “World Gym Australia is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members and staff throughout our location and has a zero tolerance policy against discrimination.

“Gym locations in each world are independently owned and run under a franchise model, with individual gym owners in charge of day-to-day operations and policy enforcement. However, World Gym Australia works closely with all franchise locations to ensure that their commitment to diversity and respect is supported.”

The spokesman added that “in rare cases where concerns are raised,” there is a process in place to ensure that incidents are “completely investigated and dealt appropriately.”

“World Gym Australia values ​​diversity within the fitness community and welcomes members from all backgrounds, including the LGBT+ community,” the statement continued, adding that the gym will continue to function to ensure that the environment is safe. ”

Luckily, the incident has not left MacLean, who goes to the same gym. “That’s what I need to do and I refuse to allow [people] To scare me and tell me how I act in public. So I’m still there and still wiggling my ass,” he says.

“I chose to publish culture to shift to a culture that is normal to see strange people in the gym field.”

Share your thoughts! Please let us know in the comments below. Don’t forget to continue to respect the conversation.