‘Queers And Allies’: New Sacramento gym hopes to become a safe space for LGBTQ+ community
Queers And Allies Fitness Center is up and running. The idea was to create a unique and comfortable space for the LGBTQ+ community looking to get in shape.
By Maricela De La Cruz
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SACRAMENTO, California (KCRA) — An idea that started over a year ago is now a reality in East Sacramento.
Queers And Allies Fitness Center is up and running. The idea was to create a unique and comfortable space for the LGBTQ+ community looking to get in shape.
Sarah Serbic and Hayden Glenn came up with the idea after noticing that the health and fitness industry lacked places focusing on the LGBTQ community, despite their big presence in the region.
“There’s kind of a lot of gym anxiety surrounding the queer community and going into fitness centers so, one, we wanted to create a safe space for queer people to be able to express themselves and work out comfortably,” Glenn said.
But for Glenn, it meant more. After undergoing a medical transition himself and not having the trans-specific guidance for getting back into fitness, he decided this was necessary for others undergoing — or planning to undergo — the process themselves.
Glenn also has a master’s in sports psychology and says that the mental health aspect is also important at their gym, so having a location where people can connect is also one of their goals.
The gym has been in business for four weeks now and has about 50 members.
“At one gym, I had to ask staff if it was OK to use the men’s bathroom because I’m a trans man and they were confused. They didn’t even know what that meant,” said Estele Boixnoguer.
Boixnoguer is not only one of the gym’s first members. He’s also slowly getting back to his routine as he focuses on post-operation recovery after a top surgery and is grateful that Glenn has first-hand experience.
“Coach Hayden gave me so many tips. So many good workouts to get ready for my top surgery that I don’t regret this. I think it was so helpful. My recovery is going so well,” Boixnoguer said.
The fitness center is open 24 hours and also has an on-site massage therapist available.
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