The university just confirmed that the apparel policy is officially changing to be gender-neutral and inclusive. This win belongs to every one of you who spoke up about the double standards we faced at the gym. Keep holding them accountable to these new rules as the semester continues.
December 2, 2018
Final supporters
I am absolutely appalled by the University of Michigan’s Intramural Sports Building. Today my roommate went to the IM building to work out in between classes. In the middle of her workout she was approached by an employee who told her that she was reported by someone using the space for wearing a sports bra...at the gym. The employee explained that there is a policy against shirts that don’t cover your torso. The employee asked my roommate to cover up, but she only had a fleece jacket. Feeling uncomfortable and embarrassed my roommate felt the pressure to leave the gym before completing her workout. This is a blatant example of body shaming and sexism. The IM rules are perpetuating sexist policies that affect women’s mental and physical health. The specific policy states that ‘A shirt is required and must cover the entire torso-stomach, rib cage and chest.’ Yet, when I go to the gym, I frequently see men in cut-out shirts which fully expose the rib-cage and torso side. This has become such common form of gym apparel, it is now a cliché commonly referred to as “bro- tanks”.
My roommate had 2 inches of her midriff exposed.
It is unfathomable to imagine a circumstance where a male would be reported for exposing the same amount skin.
We are not blaming the IM building, it’s employees, or the University of Michigan. We are simply asking them to reevaluate their policies. Their current attire policy prioritizes the discomfort members have with women’s bodies over the benefits to physical and mental health for women. This alienates women who are seeking out a judgement-free place to improve their overall health and wellbeing. We need to change the dress code because sexism has no place at the University of Michigan.
Updates
October 5, 2018
We just hit 250 signatures and the administration cannot ignore this level of engagement. Post this link on your Facebook page right now to keep the pressure on the IM building leadership. Send an email to the Recreational Sports department demanding an immediate meeting to discuss these unfair dress codes.
Reached 250 supporters
October 3, 2018
Reached 100 supporters
October 2, 2018
September 30, 2018
We are approaching 250 signatures and need to hit this threshold before we take our demands to the administration. Post this link on your Facebook page right now and text it to three friends who work out on campus. We need to keep this momentum moving forward today.
51 Comments
This same thing happened to me and a friend at the IM building recently. It’s absurd, unnecessary, and a bizarre sexualization of bodies in the space where people are supposed to be allowed to work on just that — their bodies — in peace. I sincerely hope the IM building will rethink this policy.
Body policing of women is never okay. Also, this happens to non-binary people and language developed in a revised policy needs to protect nonbinary people from this kind of situation as well.
I am shocked that this would happen at our UM facility. No torso is distracting enough to interrupt someone’s workout. The gym is intended to be a place of peace and many people’s only alone time or time to release pent up anxiety, stress, etc. This is blatant sexism and I will not tolerate our women being targeted and harassed for their completely appropriate workout attire.
I was also asked to please put on a shirt when also only wearing high waisted leggings and a cropped tank top in which I maybe had 1 inch of skin showing so I am behind this 100%!
I've had similar situations happen to me, and then proceed with my workout to see others, male and female, wearing less than me.
2021 and still happening :(
had the same thing happen last year (2020). we got to stop this
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The university just confirmed that the apparel policy is officially changing to be gender-neutral and inclusive. This win belongs to every one of you who spoke up about the double standards we faced at the gym. Keep holding them accountable to these new rules as the semester continues.
December 2, 2018
Final supporters
I am absolutely appalled by the University of Michigan’s Intramural Sports Building. Today my roommate went to the IM building to work out in between classes. In the middle of her workout she was approached by an employee who told her that she was reported by someone using the space for wearing a sports bra...at the gym. The employee explained that there is a policy against shirts that don’t cover your torso. The employee asked my roommate to cover up, but she only had a fleece jacket. Feeling uncomfortable and embarrassed my roommate felt the pressure to leave the gym before completing her workout. This is a blatant example of body shaming and sexism. The IM rules are perpetuating sexist policies that affect women’s mental and physical health. The specific policy states that ‘A shirt is required and must cover the entire torso-stomach, rib cage and chest.’ Yet, when I go to the gym, I frequently see men in cut-out shirts which fully expose the rib-cage and torso side. This has become such common form of gym apparel, it is now a cliché commonly referred to as “bro- tanks”.
My roommate had 2 inches of her midriff exposed.
It is unfathomable to imagine a circumstance where a male would be reported for exposing the same amount skin.
We are not blaming the IM building, it’s employees, or the University of Michigan. We are simply asking them to reevaluate their policies. Their current attire policy prioritizes the discomfort members have with women’s bodies over the benefits to physical and mental health for women. This alienates women who are seeking out a judgement-free place to improve their overall health and wellbeing. We need to change the dress code because sexism has no place at the University of Michigan.
Updates
October 5, 2018
We just hit 250 signatures and the administration cannot ignore this level of engagement. Post this link on your Facebook page right now to keep the pressure on the IM building leadership. Send an email to the Recreational Sports department demanding an immediate meeting to discuss these unfair dress codes.
Reached 250 supporters
October 3, 2018
Reached 100 supporters
October 2, 2018
September 30, 2018
We are approaching 250 signatures and need to hit this threshold before we take our demands to the administration. Post this link on your Facebook page right now and text it to three friends who work out on campus. We need to keep this momentum moving forward today.
51 Comments
I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to workout in a sports bra because they don't ventilate the gyms properly yet I can't because of this rule. Its time to start making the gym a comfortable place for EVERYONE, not just men,
This same thing happened to me and a friend at the IM building recently. It’s absurd, unnecessary, and a bizarre sexualization of bodies in the space where people are supposed to be allowed to work on just that — their bodies — in peace. I sincerely hope the IM building will rethink this policy.
Body policing of women is never okay. Also, this happens to non-binary people and language developed in a revised policy needs to protect nonbinary people from this kind of situation as well.
I am shocked that this would happen at our UM facility. No torso is distracting enough to interrupt someone’s workout. The gym is intended to be a place of peace and many people’s only alone time or time to release pent up anxiety, stress, etc. This is blatant sexism and I will not tolerate our women being targeted and harassed for their completely appropriate workout attire.
I was also asked to please put on a shirt when also only wearing high waisted leggings and a cropped tank top in which I maybe had 1 inch of skin showing so I am behind this 100%!
I've had similar situations happen to me, and then proceed with my workout to see others, male and female, wearing less than me.
2021 and still happening :(
had the same thing happen last year (2020). we got to stop this
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I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to workout in a sports bra because they don't ventilate the gyms properly yet I can't because of this rule. Its time to start making the gym a comfortable place for EVERYONE, not just men,