Another day, another reason to switch up the old gym membership…
Recently obtained documents from the Federal Securities and Exchange Commission reveal that Planet Fitness CEO Chris Rondeau has been secretly funding antigay politicians for the past several years, Nico Lang at Out reports.
In 2016, Rondeau donated $1,200 to Donald Trump‘s 2016 campaign. The donation was made in the same month Trump invited Russia to interfere in the election, July of 2016.
Rondeau also gave money to the 2018 Congressional campaign of former New Hampshire State Senator Andy Sanborn, who happens to be a major homophobe.
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Not only did Sanborn oppose a bill banning gay conversion therapy in New Hampshire, but he voted against updating the state’s existing civil rights laws to ban discrimination on the basis of gender identity when it comes to housing and employment.
As a company, Planet Fitness has long espoused a commitment to equality and the queer community, deeming itself a “judgment-free zone” and offering transgender members the freedom to use the locker rooms which correspond to their gender.
Rondeau’s donations, however modest, undermine that characterization, as Donald Trump has targeted LGBTQ Americans for discrimination on numerous occasions.
Rondeau has yet to donate to Trump’s 2020 Reelection Campaign.
Rondeau becomes the latest in a series of gym CEO’s to come under fire for donations to Trump. Earlier this year, Stephen Ross, owner of Equinox, faced criticism for donating $13 million to the Trump campaign. The revelation brought an onslaught of public outcry and prompted scores of gym members to cancel their memberships.
Cue the Planet Fitness outrage in 3… 2… 1…
Related: Equinox tries to fix its PR nightmare, but is it enough?
h/t: Out
stephen_25
Ok so another outcry but did the gay sisterhood actually quit equinox when that one came out? Are we all huff and no puff or did the Americans follow through with the boycott?
topshelf
I quit Equinox, and so did most of the people I know. Joined Crunch, which isn’t as upscale. But still nicer than most gyms. I checked out Planet Fitness… it was too gross. So was a non starter. Hopefully the CEO of Crunch doesn’t have any GOP dirty laundry. Because, at this point I’d have to build my own gym.
Brian
It’s always just huff and puff. Most of the people screaming “boycott” likely weren’t even members in the first place. When it’s something they actually use, like Uber, there’s never a call for a boycott when they do something bad, it’s just quietly ignored.
lord.krath
Why attack other queers for something you don’t know happened? Why don’t you ask your friends and acquaintances rather than assume no one acted. Personally, I don’t care what people believe, but if they actively seek to undermine my freedoms or restrict my identity then of course I will quit them. It’s not hard to do. Nothing in life but for utilities (and perhaps not even that!) is necessary.
Larry
Some of you, and I will guess you are young, just do not get it. We fought against these people who have empowered politicians to discard us for more than 50 years. Now that we are somewhat equal and we find out they are still against us being equal, you bitch about it. You can go to whatever gym you want. So can I. But I refuse to give money that goes to Chick-fil-hate, or anyone else. Money talks. No one who contributes to my extinction gets MY money. If you are ok with that, go ahead. When they start putting us in camps in Arizona, what will you say?
iauajo
Preach! Larry Preach!
rustyiam
Boycotts don’t work!
jsmu
@Larry You go.
jsmu
@Rustyiam BEEYOTCH PLEASE. You’re the tiredest old Russkytroll around and everyone knows it. F*CK ALL THE WAY OFF, TROLLETTE!
gavo92
I agree, a lot of stupid gay people I know still eat Chick-fil-A , and shop at places where they don’t like gay people. They are young and dumb.
kcguy
Oh my chicken Little. It’s almost going to be pretty ridiculous. I don’t belong to this club. But if the guy only gave $1200 in 2016 and they also now compare this adding the Russian invitation to the article it’s stretching way too far .
“In 2016, Rondeau donated $1,200 to Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign. The donation was made in the same month Trump invited Russia to interfere in the election, July of 2016.”
Come on and get serious. This is a joke.
$1,200.00 campaign contribution. Trump probably did not even know it existed.
Vince
When the head of a corporation has been only giving to bigoted Republican candidates for years I’d say it’s a concern for me as the consumer. Either stay neutral or give equal amounts to liberal causes and politicians. He’s obviously taken a side.
Cam
Translation: The Troll account is trying to say “Hey everybody, lets all go put money into the pockets of bigots”
No thanks.
JED08
It doesn’t matter if he gave $2, what matters is who these politicians are that he’s on the record as supporting.
jsmu
@kcguy No, little Log Cabinette troll wannabe, YOU’RE the joke. A pathetic and unfunny one, but I know that’s the best you can do given your utter impotence…
Vince
These corporate assholes are expecting benefits that come from electing Republicans who only represent the 1%. I say return the favor. Vote with your wallet.
fur_hunter
OK….PEOPLE!!!!!…..Have you ever heard the word….’boycott’????? The CEO can do whatever the hell he wants. If you don’t like his antics….you don’t patronize his facility. Get it? It’s called ‘BOYCOTT’. If you continue to pay the fees and go to his locations…then….YOU’RE an A sshole MORON. And shut your mouth because you have no right to make protesting comments on here.
Cam
Another business to not patronize
Daltxman
Some of you need to check your 401K’s and IRA’s and learn who YOU are actually supporting. Glass houses.
kcguy
Exactly everything you’re invested in these people are giving to cause you don’t like. So do you take and earn 0% on your invested dollars or don’t worry about it and just take care of your own needs.
Sometimes we turn a molehill into a mountain.
Cam
The troll accounts are getting nervous. Planet Fitness must be seeing some backlash.
Bofield8
Hey Queerty, here’s an idea, instead of just Bitching about it, why don’t you report on strategies to correct it. Like who and ere can we contact to influence changing this rather than picking up our toys and going home. Thanks!
Kangol2
Queerty isn’t a political action site, it’s a news and entertainment site. So rather than harshing on the site, why do YOU investigate ways to challenge homophobic scumbags like this owner. You can begin by not spending a dime at any of his businesses if you can help it. Also, there are LGBTQIA organizations and activists that work to unmask homophobes, support progressive businesses, and so on. Google can be a horrible behemoth but in this instance, it would be your friend.
Bofield8
As one of those LGBTQIA Activists with a million things on my Plate, like many of us DOJ g this work for decades, it would be helpful if Queerty would step up their game. With their reach maybe they would benefit from using one column to do a little activism instead of “who wore it best” kiki-crap.
greybat
That would be more akin to Journalism. Queerty is merely a Tabloid.
Cam
It’s Queerty’s job to inform.
With that in mind, sure they could put a link or a twitter account name. But it’s interesting you seem to be far more upset at a website informing us about bigotry, then the actual bigotry.
Brian
Queerty only cares about page views, not making change. They do more harm to the public perception of the gay community than good.
JaredMacBride
Note to the author – there’s zero proof the Trump campaign was in collusion with the Russians. Plese stop that nonsense.
kcguy
That was the strangest part of the headline was the linkage between the $1200 campaign gift and the Russians. You wonder if the stuff is being ridden by six graders.
Kangol2
Read the Mueller Report Part 1. I know you didn’t, but you should. Russia’s prints are all over the Drumpf Crime Administration.
jsmu
@kcguy “Ridden by six graders?” Up the troll game, Jascha, or PUTA will ship your worthless arse back to IRKUTSK, where it’s already winter…
Jenniferp412
Vote with your wallet. My aunt was killed on 911 and when Omar made the comment “some people did something” it made my heart hurt. I decided I would not shop at any Target or BestBuy store until she is voted out of office. You can do the same with Planet Fitness, lots of other gyms to join.
Kangol2
So are you also boycotting politicians like Drumpf who pal around with Saudi Arabia, which provided the vast majority of the 9/11 hijackers/terrorists? Did you forget that? Have you demanded that Drumpf avoid having anything to do with an authoritarian state that kills gay people? Yeah, I thought not.
djmcgamester
Is it that the person was funding a politician with whom he largely agrees, or is it that he specifically chose to fund an anti-gay politician? These types of things are so slanted. Please find me the politician who hasn’t done something you don’t like. They all suck.
Heywood Jablowme
I get what you mean. A lot of wealthy guys are ONLY concerned about taxes and business deregulation and that kind of sh!t. The politician’s homophobia is maybe a non-issue for the donor. Or maybe the donor doesn’t really approve of the homophobia but still donates because of the business stuff. Or possibly the donor is not even aware of the homophobia.
A lot of Wall Street Journal types who worship at the altar of Ayn Rand couldn’t care less about the “social” issues that get the homophobic Bible Belt yokels excited.
But in the past two decades or so, pretty much EVERY homophobic politician is a Republican, and they almost ALL believe the same stupid stuff.
Brian
I can guarantee you that virtually every time one of these becomes a scandal, the owner doesn’t give a shit about people’s sexuality. They are supporting politicians who support their business interests, which are Republicans. Until the Democrats start moving away from the idea of taxing the holy hell out of the rich to pay for all their social Utopia ideas, that’s never going to change.
jsmu
@Brian I can guarantee you, little Cabinettec*nt, that you have no place here. F*ck ALL the way off with your ‘tax cuts’ and ‘trickle down’ STEAMING HORSESH*TE. Rethugs have destroyed this country utterly with this fascist kill-the-poor garbage and you want more of it? Stick your head back up your cloaca where you usually keep it, and stop mortifying yourself by displaying your IMBECILITY PUBLICLY!
Brian
Is there anything sadder than a keyboard badass?
Cam
Irrelevant. His money is funding attacks on us.
Someone who funds a guy who is KKK Grand Wizard for mayor because he likes his zoning policies is still funding a KKK Grand Wizard.
Davidsas
Want??
JerseyMike
Apathy equals consent!!!
Terrycloth
If i listed all the companies that are anti gay or trump supporters the list would be quiet long..leaving a list of where to eat or shop getting shorter and shorter…i wish more stores would post a window sign or in their ads stating gay owned or gay friendly. Then I’d know where i want to spend my money.
twospirit
Thanks for this information. Was going to re-join, though now I am not.
Cam
A lot of new screenames in here trying to deflect from this story.
Sounds like it’s working.
Celtic
Never joined, never care to. Planet Fitness is tinsel town for straight people to secure their next sex date. Rondeau simply falls in line with millions of hate-filled wealthy people who see their world through narrow lens of being rich, moralistic and self-righteous.
kcguy
Laughable to call me a troll I’ve been on this site for 5+ years. Sometimes people in the community have to get rid of the chicken little mentality that is why people laugh at us.
cwaigy
I want a full refund on my membership. Well, I would if I had one. My point is. There isn’t a hope in hell of getting any membership or spending my money on a company owned by homophobes