Joy Reid, speaking on her “Reid This Reid That” podcast, addressed a recent controversy involving a viral incident at a Los Angeles Gold’s Gym. Reid said she would be “disturbed” and “alarm[ed]” to see male genitalia in a women’s locker room. She admitted: “If I saw a penis in the ladies’ locker room, I would freak out, too.”
She clarified that her reaction comes from a place of safety and privacy concerns — not from hatred toward transgender people. Reid said she would likely go to gym management and ask why a “naked man” is in the room, calling her perspective “nothing against trans anybody.”
Reid also suggested a possible solution: gender-neutral locker rooms, where people can choose a space that aligns with their comfort level.
What to Watch:
- How gyms and fitness centers respond to growing debates over gender identity and locker-room policies.
- Whether more public figures will voice similar concerns about safety and privacy in shared spaces.
- Potential policy changes at local and national levels to accommodate both trans inclusion and privacy protections.
Summary:
Joy Reid’s comments highlight a sensitive and ongoing debate around transgender access to gendered public spaces. Her instinctive discomfort reflects broader questions about privacy, safety, and how institutions should balance inclusion with respect for personal boundaries.
