A new women-only gym in the UK is drawing both praise and controversy. Natalee Barnett, a fitness influencer, founded The Girls Spot to create a space where women can exercise without fear of harassment. Initially, she stated the gym would welcome all women, including transgender women. However, she recently clarified that The Girls Spot will only admit biological women, a decision that has ignited widespread debate and backlash.

Supporters believe the gym offers a much-needed sanctuary for women who have faced harassment and violence in mixed-gender gyms. Critics argue that excluding trans women contradicts the mission of protecting women from gender-based violence.

Natalee Barnett’s Vision for The Girls Spot

Barnett founded The Girls Spot after facing sexual harassment and intimidation in gyms. She wanted to create a safe space where women could train without fear. She has spoken openly about her decision, explaining that her experience of sexual assault in a mixed-gender gym shaped her approach. The gym offers self-defense classes, boxing, and health workshops designed for women.

In a recent video, she explained why her stance evolved. Over time, she realized that her gym needed to focus solely on biological women to fulfill its mission. Barnett acknowledged that trans women deserve safe spaces but insisted that The Girls Spot must remain a single-sex space.

The Backlash Over Exclusion

Barnett announcement caused widespread backlash online. Gyms are not always safe for trans women, who also experience harassment and intimidation while working out. Excluding them from a space meant to provide safety contradicts that purpose. Outrage intensified when people discovered that The Girls Spot relied on crowdfunding, with many donating because they believed the gym would be inclusive.

Supporters who once backed Barnett now feel misled. In 2021, she stated the gym would welcome trans women, which encouraged donations from those who believed in an inclusive space. Now, donors are demanding refunds, saying she never disclosed her policy change before collecting money. Even with transparency, The Girls Spot likely would have still received financial support from those who back women-only spaces. Instead, her decision to remain silent until now has left many feeling betrayed.

UK law protects people from discrimination based on sex and gender reassignment under the Equality Act 2010. The law allows some single-sex spaces, but any exclusion of trans women must have a clear and legal reason. If The Girls Spot cannot prove its policy is fair and necessary, it may face lawsuits.

A recent case in Scotland raised questions about whether trans women with a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) count as women in legal terms. The UK Supreme Court has not yet set a clear rule, but its decision could affect how laws apply to women-only spaces in the future.

Barnett said she consulted lawyers before making her policy. Even with legal advice, her gym could still face legal action if people claim it violates anti-discrimination laws. Another issue is how she will enforce the rule. Will the gym ask for legal documents, rely on looks, or take people at their word? Any approach could lead to misgendering, discrimination claims, or ethical concerns.

Until the law sets clear rules, The Girls Spot operates in a legal gray area.

Are Women-Only Spaces Still Needed

The debate over The Girls Spot highlights the ongoing demand for women-only spaces. Research confirms that many women experience harassment, body image concerns, and discomfort in co-ed gyms. A 2025 PLOS One study found that these issues create significant barriers for women who want to exercise.

Women deserve a single-sex space where they can train without fear or discomfort. However, some see the outrage over The Girls Spot as unwarranted criticism of a Black woman who created a gym to protect women from harassment. Instead of condemning her decision, Natelee’s defenders point to the recognized inclusive women-only gyms, such as The Bridge in London, which welcomes trans women. There is room for different spaces to serve different needs.

Does Exclusion Make Women Safer?

Cisgender men harass women in gyms, not trans women. Blocking trans women does not stop the real threat. Instead, it pushes out a vulnerable group that already faces discrimination and violence.

Men do not need to pretend to be trans to harm women. They already harass and assault women in public spaces, workplaces, and gyms without disguising themselves. Keeping trans women out of a women-only gym does nothing to stop this behavior.

The focus should be on holding men accountable, not dividing women. Safe spaces should protect all women, not just a select few.

A screenshot of Natalee Barnett’s Instagram story addressing the controversy over The Girls Spot, her newly launched women-only gym. The statement explains her decision to make the gym exclusive to biological women, expresses sympathy for trans women, and highlights the gym’s focus on creating a safe space for women who have experienced harassment. She also mentions seeking legal advice and emphasizes her commitment to inclusivity in the broader fitness industry.

The Policing of Black Womanhood and the Hypocrisy of Online Attacks

For Black women, this debate touches on a painful history of exclusion from femininity. Society has often stripped them of their womanhood, labeling them too masculine, too aggressive, or not woman enough. Now, as The Girls Spot controversy unfolds, that same gendered and racialized policing is reappearing. Critics claim that cisgender women with PCOS, muscular builds, or deep voices will face exclusion, but this argument distorts reality.

Natalee Barnett has not banned women who do not fit Eurocentric beauty standards. Her gym’s policy excludes trans women, not women who have naturally occurring traits outside of traditional femininity.

People use Black women and women with PCOS in this debate to push harmful stereotypes that question their womanhood. This exchange reveals a contradiction—those demanding inclusion insult a Black woman’s appearance, reinforcing the same misogynistic and transphobic ideas that deny femininity. Gendered insults do not promote equality—they undermine the very fight for respect.

A screenshot of a Twitter exchange where a user insults a Black woman’s appearance while debating trans inclusion in The Girls Spot gym controversy. The replies expose contradictions in the discussion about respect and gender, as the user resorts to misogynistic and demeaning language despite advocating for inclusion.

At the same time, the backlash against Barnett has turned into something far more dangerous. While criticism of exclusionary policies is valid, death threats, racial slurs, and violent rhetoric are not. Online attacks have escalated beyond disagreement, with some users calling Barnett a monkey, wishing harm upon her, and sending threats of gun violence. This response exposes a deep hypocrisy—people who claim to fight for marginalized groups are now directing abuse at black women.

Trans women deserve safe spaces, but threatening and dehumanizing a Black woman for creating one for biological women is unacceptable. Real conversations about inclusivity should happen without resorting to racism, misogyny, and violence.

Final Thoughts

The Girls Spot opened a debate about who belongs in women-only spaces. Many women want a gym where they feel safe from harassment, while trans women also need a place to work out without fear. Both groups face gender-based violence, but this controversy has created more division than solutions.

Natalee Barnett made a business decision that fits her vision, but her lack of transparency with donors left many feeling misled. Legal issues also remain. The UK’s Equality Act 2010 protects both sex and gender reassignment, which could lead to future lawsuits against the gym.

The backlash has escalated beyond criticism into harassment, racism, and violent threats. People can challenge exclusionary policies, but attacking Barnett’s physical traits contradicts the fight for inclusion. As the conversation continues, The Girls Spot remains a flashpoint in the ongoing discussion about who gets to define womanhood and who deserves access to safe spaces.

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