A transgender man has filed a civil rights lawsuit against 24 Hour Fitness, alleging discriminatory treatment at a Southern California gym, according to court records and reporting by The New York Post.
The lawsuit was filed on December 18, 2025, in Los Angeles County Superior Court by Kaileb Harper, a Black transgender man. The case is currently open and is assigned to Judge Peter A. Hernandez at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles.
According to the complaint, the incident occurred at a 24 Hour Fitness location in Bellflower, California, where Harper alleges that a gym employee instructed him to wear a shirt while using a co-ed sauna. Harper claims that other male patrons were allowed to remain shirtless under the same conditions. The lawsuit further alleges that the employee repeatedly misgendered him, referring to him as “ma’am” despite Harper informing staff that he uses he/him pronouns.
Harper contends that the treatment left him feeling humiliated and singled out based on his gender identity. He also alleges that his complaints to gym management were ignored and that no corrective action was taken to address the employee’s behavior.
The lawsuit also references earlier incidents at a Long Beach 24 Hour Fitness location where Harper had previously been a member. According to the filing, that gym once had a gender-neutral restroom that Harper used. After management restricted access to that restroom, Harper began using the men’s restroom. In 2022, he alleges that another member harassed him after noticing scarring on his chest, which Harper says is related to his gender-affirming care. Harper claims that he reported the incident and requested accommodations but did not receive meaningful support from management.
Harper is seeking damages in excess of $35,000, citing emotional distress, humiliation, and lost income. His lawsuit alleges violations of California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination by business establishments based on characteristics including gender identity and gender expression.
As of publication, 24 Hour Fitness has not publicly responded to the lawsuit, and no answer has been filed in court. Harper has also not issued a public statement beyond the claims outlined in the complaint.
Civil rights lawsuits in California typically proceed through preliminary motions and discovery before reaching trial. The outcome of the case will depend on how the court evaluates the facts presented and whether the allegations meet the legal standards under state civil rights law.
The case remains pending, and further developments are expected as filings and hearings move forward in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
