Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has initiated an investigation into Life Time Fitness in Ellisville, Missouri. The action follows complaints from constituents that the gym permits a biological male to use women and girls' private spaces. Bailey has notified the gym of potential criminal and civil liability for allegedly endangering women and girls, and his office is issuing subpoenas.
In the notice of investigation, Bailey stated, "It has come to my attention that Life Time Fitness has proudly adopted a policy that permits biological men to use locker rooms designated specifically for women and young girls. Even more concerning is the fact that instead of taking the safety concerns from your gym members seriously, you rudely correct them and insist they call this biological male by the ‘correct pronouns.’ While it might be considered fashionable in certain corporate boardrooms to pretend that biology is irrelevant, the American heartland still lives in reality. Missourians recognize that allowing adult men to openly invade and disrobe in spaces set aside for women and young girls is indefensible and places political correctness above public safety. That is why I am putting you on notice that you are under investigation.”
Bailey referenced his previous experience prosecuting a similar case, State v. Girardier, where a male refused to leave a women's restroom. He emphasized his commitment as both a husband and father not to let women and girls face such dangers.
He noted further legal precedents: “In Missouri’s leading case on this issue, which I personally prosecuted, the Court confirmed that a male’s presence in a females’ public restroom constitutes criminal trespass. Mo. Rev. Stat. § 569.140; State v. Girardier, 484 S.W.3d 356 (Mo. App. E.D. 2015). When restrooms are separately designated for males and females, one is only permitted to use the restroom designed for his or her gender."
Bailey warned of additional criminal liabilities: "A male who exposes his genitals in the presence of others in the restroom may be subject to further criminal liability for multiple sexual offenses, including sexual misconduct in the first degree and the felony offense of sexual misconduct involving a child."
He concluded with a firm stance: “As Attorney General, I will vigorously defend and enforce Missouri’s laws. You face both potential criminal and civil liabilities, and you can expect to receive civil investigative demands from my office in short order. If you insist on endangering women and young girls in our state, in open defiance of the law, be assured you will face the consequences.”
The full notice of investigation can be accessed through official channels.