Gold's Gym asked me to "cover up" +UPDATE

[djspacegirl]

**update 4/29**

I have been working with the regional (Utah) general manager of Gold's Gym to develope a breatfeeding policy.  The final Gold's Gym Breastfeeding Policy is in RED at the end of this journal post.

original post 4/1:

several weeks ago i was asked to "cover up" by the manager in the gold's gym daycare.  this is the letter i sent them (given to me by my friend working with a national breastfeeding advocacy group)
 their response was sent today (following the letter, in bold).

i'm curious to see what you all think about this...

-thanks for any comments-



Your company counts both parents and children among its customers.  Like many businesses, I know yours strives to be family-friendly and welcoming to all patrons.  An important group that some businesses overlook is breastfeeding mothers and their children.  Mothers have many reasons to breastfeed in public.  We need prominent businesses and community leaders to be active in helping to create a positive breastfeeding culture and to reduce the amount of disapproval and discrimination that breastfeeding women face.  I hope your organization will be among those who welcome and support breastfeeding mothers.   

Breastfeeding is a normal, natural, healthy part of parenting.  Medical professionals tell us breastfeeding offers the best nutrition for babies.  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for at least the first year of a child's life and the World Health Organization recommends at least two years. 

Unfortunately, mothers encounter significant cultural resistance to nursing in public.  The common perception that breastfeeding should be hidden or covered up is one of many obstacles that breastfeeding mothers face.  Public disapproval not only makes it difficult for a mother to breastfeed without harassment, but undermines her confidence in her ability to do so.  Breastfeeding is nothing to be ashamed of, and need not be covered up. 

On a recent visit to your business, I encountered resistance, disapproval, and/or discrimination for breastfeeding.  I was asked to cover my child’s head with a blanket. In Utah, the law states, “Utah Code Ann. § 10-8-41, § 10-8-50, § 17-15-25, § 76-9-702, § 76-10-1229.5. Prostitution, lewd or perverted acts, gambling, and obscene or lewd publications.
   (2) (a) A woman's breast feeding, including breast feeding in any place where the woman otherwise may rightfully be, does not under any circumstance constitute an obscene or lewd act, irrespective of whether or not the breast is covered during or incidental to feeding.
      (b) Boards of Commissioners and City Councils of Cities may not prohibit a woman's breast feeding in any location where she otherwise may rightfully be, irrespective of whether the breast is uncovered during or incidental to the breastfeeding.10-8-50. Disturbing the peace -- Public intoxication -- Fighting -- Obscene language -- Disorderly conduct -- Lewd behavior -- Interference with officers -- Trespass.
(3) (a) A woman's breast feeding, including breast feeding in any place where the woman otherwise may rightfully be, does not under any circumstance constitute a lewd or indecent act, irrespective of whether or not the breast is covered during or incidental to feeding.
   (b) Boards of Commissioners and City Councils of Cities may not prohibit a woman's breast feeding in any location where she otherwise may rightfully be, irrespective of whether the breast is uncovered during or incidental to the breastfeeding. 17-15-25. Right to Breast Feed.
The County Legislative Bodies may not prohibit a woman's breast feeding in any location where she otherwise may rightfully be, irrespective of whether the breast is uncovered during or incidental to the breastfeeding. 76-9-702. Lewdness -- Gross lewdness.
(5) A woman's breast feeding, including breast feeding in any place where the woman otherwise may rightfully be, does not under any circumstance constitute a lewd or grossly lewd act, irrespective of whether or not the breast is covered during or incidental to feeding. 76-10-1229.5. Breast Feeding is not Violation of this Part.
A woman's breast feeding, including breast feeding in any location where the woman otherwise may rightfully be, does not under any circumstance constitute a violation of this part, irrespective of whether or not the breast is covered during or incidental to feeding.” Some may ask what is wrong with asking a breastfeeding mother to cover up or move to a private location.  The problem with such a request is that it implies that the mother and child are engaging in a shameful or distasteful act.  Being told she’s doing something inappropriate can be embarrassing and upsetting for a woman who just wants to do the best for her child.

I request that your company officially adopt a breastfeeding-friendly policy and communicate that policy to current and future employees.  Inclusion of the policy in an employee handbook or training manual will keep staff informed of your policy of non-discrimination toward breastfeeding mothers and children.

Here's an example of a good policy.

POLICY:     It is the policy of [this corporation] to allow mothers to breastfeed their children inside our facilities.  Managers are responsible for educating their employees regarding the law and the procedures outlined in this policy. 

PROCEDURE:     A mother may breastfeed in any location where the mother is authorized to be.  Breastfeeding a child is not considered to be indecent exposure.  The mother is not required to cover herself while breastfeeding. It is inappropriate and in most cases illegal to ask a breastfeeding mother to stop nursing, to "cover-up", to relocate to a private room such as a bathroom, or to leave the premises.

In the event that another customer complains to a staff member about a mother breastfeeding, it is understandable that in your business you want to accommodate the needs of all your customers as best as possible.  Employees can listen to and address a customer's concerns without approaching the breastfeeding mother.  Managers might find the following phrases helpful when speaking with customers who are uncomfortable seeing a mother nurse her child:

"Yes, I realize your children are with you and can see that mother breastfeeding. While she may not be as discreet as you might like, she is doing something very normal. The law allows for her to breastfeed her child here."

"I’m so sorry you’re uncomfortable.  According to law, a child has a right to nurse without needing to cover-up.  I understand breastfeeding has not been so open in the past but many more mothers are choosing to nurse in public”

 I appreciate your partnership in working toward peaceful, respectful treatment of mothers and children.  I encourage your company to make a commitment not to discriminate against breastfeeding mothers.  I invite you to call or write me if you’d like to discuss this topic further.  I look forward to your response. Thank you for your time and consideration of this very important matter.

here's the "breastfeeding policy" i received from them today:

Gold’s Gym policy on breast-feeding

We ask that all mothers who wish to breastfeed their infants take into account the desires and values of all our members and their children. While we absolutely will not restrict the active breast-feeding of any infant, we reserve the right to ask breast-feeding mothers to be as discreet as possible to avoid issues with other members and their children. Gold’s Gym is committed to observing all state laws regarding breastfeeding in public.

Gold’s Gym policy on breast-feeding

Gold’s Gym is committed to observing all state laws regarding breastfeeding in public. In order to assist our childcare employees and our members we ask that the following guidelines be observed:

·         Gold’s Gym will not restrict in any way, shape or manner the activities of feeding mothers as long as they happen within the daycares of Gold’s Gym and not in the main gym area where children are not allowed.

·         While Gold’s Gym will not restrict the time or manner in which a mother chooses to breast feed their infant, Gold’s Gym reserves the right to alert feeding mothers to potentially unsafe or high activity conditions and suggest alternative areas in the daycare where the mothers may feed with less interruption if she so chooses.

·         If and when approached by another member concerned about open breastfeeding, Gold’s Gym staff will inform the concerned member of the Gold’s Gym policy and explain the legally protected nature of public breastfeeding.

[older_mom]

Apr. 30, 2008 at 2:38 PM  Sounds reasonable to me. Were you hoping for more?

[djspacegirl]

Apr. 30, 2008 at 7:49 PM no- actually, i'm very happy with the final policy.  i just wanted to let everyone know the outcome because i had posted the issue a couple of times (this has been going on for almost  2 months).  they have been  really good about working with me on create a policy and i thought they deserved a little good press.

(Original Poster)

[Michali]

Jun. 10, 2008 at 9:18 PM Sounds great.  Good job!

[rachieroni]

Dec. 18, 2011 at 2:32 PM

Hope you don't mind, but I'm "stealing" some of these lines for an email to a local gym :-)