Three Planet Fitness venues in Louisiana receive bomb threats

Apr 18
Written by Chantelle Billson

A woman leg lifts at Planet Fitness in the Columbia Mall on July 24, 2017 in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. - Mall space is being repurposed as more department store chains close stores that have traditionally served as "anchors" at malls. The Planet Fitness now occupies the space that was previously a Sears. Abandoned by the big brands, deserted by the young, the American mall, once temples of the shopping, have become ghost towns, victims of the explosion of online shopping. (Photo by Don EMMERT / AFP) / TO GO WITH AFP STORY by John BIERS, "Deserted, US shopping centers look for a future" (Photo by DON EMMERT/AFP via Getty Images)

Planet Fitness doubled down on its stance on trans inclusion and has since been been the victim of bomb threats. (DON EMMERT/AFP via Getty)

Police in Louisiana have responded to three bomb threats at Planet Fitness gyms, after more than a dozen locations were targeted across the US in recent weeks.

On Wednesday (17 April), Shreveport police responded to centres on West 70th Street, Youree Drive, and East Bert Kouns Industrial Loop.

The West 70th Street gym was evacuated by officers but all the sites are now running normally.

Shreveport police told PinkNews: “We worked alongside the Shreveport Fire Department’s explosives team and they were able to clear all locations.

“Our intelligence unit will continue to work alongside our state and federal partners in an effort to identify the person(s) responsible.”

Last month, Planet Fitness became the subject of a right-wing backlash after it chose to double down on its trans inclusivity. Since then, the gym franchise has been the focus of at least 17 bomb hoaxes.

Fitness in the Columbia Mall on July 24, 2017 in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. - Mall space is being repurposed as more department store chains close stores that have traditionally served as "anchors" at malls. Planet Fitness now occupies the space that was previously a Sears. The glass doors were the bay doors for Sears Automotive. Abandoned by the big brands, deserted by the young, the American mall, once temples of the shopping, have become ghost towns, victims of the explosion of online shopping. (Photo by Don EMMERT / AFP) / TO GO WITH AFP STORY by John BIERS, "Deserted, US shopping centers look for a future" (Photo by DON EMMERT/AFP via Getty Images) — Planet Fitness has been the subject of conservative backlash over its trans inclusion policies. (Getty)

The backlash against Planet Fitness came after a video of a gym-goer in Wisconsin complaining that a transgender woman was using the women’s toilets went viral last month.

Following an exchange of emails exchange, Planet Fitness reaffirmed its commitment to inclusion.

The policy, which was shared with the client, reads: “All members, including transgender members, may use Planet Fitness locker-room facilities and [programmes] based on their self-reported gender identity.

“These facilities include bathrooms, showers and all other facilities separated by sex. Wherever possible, Planet Fitness clubs should maintain private changing areas in each locker-room for the comfort of all members.”

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