***UPDATE: The Forest City YMCA announced on Wednesday it would be closing the men’s, women’s, girls’ and boys’ locker rooms. The individual change locker room will still be available and all restrooms will be single-use.***
The inclusion of delusion in Iowa’s Civil Rights code is creating problems for Iowans in another community as the Forest City YMCA is allowing a male to use the female facilities because the individual identifies as a woman. Staff is reportedly resigning due to the decision by the CEO of the Forest City YMCA to allow the man to use the female facilities.
The Iowa Standard talked with individuals close to the incident who are concerned, alarmed and confused.
One employee who has worked at the organization for more than 10 years said they aren’t sure what they will do — but resigning and canceling their YMCA membership is not off the table.
“I’m uncomfortable with it,” they said. “We’re a non-profit, founded on Christian values — so I’m just confused.”
The former head lifeguard, who quit due to the situation, said they decided to quit as soon as they saw the individuals walk out of the female locker room.
Staff had previously been told “multiple times” that transgender individuals would be told to go to a different locker room, however, the former head guard said they knew at that time they wanted to quit because once the male(s) were given access to the female facilities the male(s) would “not want to go in there.”
The head lifeguard has worked at the YMCA since September of 2020 and took the head lifeguard position in December of 2023.
The CEO of the Forest City YMCA is reportedly telling staff the male is protected to use the female facilities due to gender identity being in the Iowa Civil Rights Code.
Iowa is one of just 24 states providing such protections. Iowa and Utah are the lone “red states” on the list, joining blue states like California, Oregon, Washington, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Hawaii and others.
Iowa added sexual orientation and gender identity to its civil rights code in 2007 when Democrats were in control. However, the House version of the bill to add the protections passed with 59 votes — including nine from Republicans.
The former head lifeguard said the transgender individual(s) left about 10 minutes before the pool would close for cleaning at 12:30 p.m. At 12:30 the guard saw the CEO grab her lunch. The former head lifeguard locked the doors and went to the CEO’s office and told the CEO she would not be coming back for the rest of her shift.
“A lot of it I don’t remember, but there are two statements that really stuck out,” the former head lifeguard said. “She told me she was not going to apologize to me for upholding the law and that those two women were just as deserving to be in that locker room as I was.”
Another employee at the YMCA said they were “extremely shocked” to learn gender identity is a protected class in Iowa.
“I was floored,” they said. “I couldn’t believe it. We’re a non-profit organization. We started on biblical principles, Christian principles.”
In fact, the Forest City YMCA’s website has the following mission statement:
“To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.”
The head lifeguard isn’t the only employee to resign. Another employee has already resigned over the issue and one more is expected to resign early this week. Yet another anticipates quitting at some point this week.
According to the source, the CEO has discussed the issue with women who are extremely uncomfortable with it and is allowing them to rent family locker rooms.
“All these women who are uncomfortable with it now have to make adjustments,” they said. “We’re not asking the man to — these other women are having to. Several people are having to make adjustments for one man and it’s frustrating.”
The man is allowed to dress, change and shower in the women’s locker room, and the women’s locker room is connected to the girls’ locker room. According to a source, the women’s facility and girls’ facility have two separate entrances but share the same exit. There is a hallway where the two rooms meet.
“He could easily go into the girls and no one would ever know,” they said. “I just care about kids. I care about women too, and myself obviously.”
One of the individuals The Iowa Standard talked to said they are concerned about the future of the facility when community members find out males are allowed to use female facilities.
“I don’t want to lose our Y,” they said. “I love our Y. I have grieved over this situation. And it is such an important aspect of our town — it just breaks my heart that we’re even in this situation.”
The Iowa Standard spoke with the CEO of the Forest City YMCA — a person called Cindy Rosa. Rosa read a statement regarding the situation. The statement noted the Forest City YMCA is committed to reflecting “the diverse communities” it serves. It also seeks to provide a safe environment for all. The statement also noted individuals are allowed to use the facilities that align with their gender identity to conform with the Iowa Civil Rights Code.
Rosa also confirmed she has shared the information with staff and staff meetings have followed and the information has been discussed.
We asked Rosa if she has also shared the policy with members of the YMCA.
“I’m not sure who follows the Iowa Civil Rights Act and the laws of Iowa, but again we’re conforming with what is law in our state of Iowa,” Rosa said.
We asked again if members of the YMCA have been told men are allowed to use the female facilities at the Forest City YMCA.
“Any members are welcome to ask what our policies are,” Rosa said. “We’re welcome to share them. As a YMCA we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. Everything that we do is to strengthen our community and we want every individual in our community to thrive.”
We then asked if it would be accurate to say Rosa has not informed YMCA members men are allowed to use the female locker room.
“I have not spoken to every single member, that is correct,” Rosa said.
Get over it. I thought the Republicans were all for the law but apparently that is not correct. Only if I agree with the law does it need to be followed seems to be the mantra of the right wing. Did you talk to anyone who didn’t have a problem with the decision? These employees seem to equate gender transition with sex crimes yet that is not true. God made us all. All of us are different than others and God accepts us all. To believe otherwise is to convert His word to our own desires which, if you didn’t know, is a sin.
Where is my right to have a locker room just for women .. all of my family just canceled..our memberships and I am making others aware as a women I have rights also….and everyone needs to be aware this is going on so I don’t feel violated …
Forest City YMCA, you go woke, you go broke.
It seems simple to me. The Y says it’s based on Christian biblical ideals. So, that being true, they must follow Deuteronomy 22:5 and Leviticus 18:22 wherein it’s clear it’s NOT acceptable to God for a man to identify as a woman. If the Y is not funded by the state, I do not find a reason to follow the rulong.
I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to the YMCA of Forest City for your recent actions in support of the trans community.
Your commitment to inclusivity and standing up for the rights of all individuals does not go unnoticed. By affirming and embracing diversity, you not only foster a welcoming environment but also set a positive example for other organizations in our community.
Thank you for your courage, empathy, and dedication to equality. Your advocacy makes a real difference in the lives of trans individuals, and it is deeply appreciated.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
Tom Pauley: this whole gender identity problem is caused by the father of lies- Satan. To say that God accepts this behavior is completely against His words regarding immoral sexual behaviors! He will accept the sinner if they repent and change their lifestyle, but will never accept the sin!
To those of you blaming the YMCA for this situation, it is in no way their fault. They have to follow the law just as much as anyone else. Just like I can’t speed because it’s against the law, they can’t segregate because it’s against the law. Those of you saying that transgender people shouldn’t have rights, please go take a history lesson and look into the 1960’s segregation. Society is reverting to the whites vs blacks arguments, but with trans people instead. All of the hate being given out to not just the YMCA, but the people that work there is unjustified and unacceptable, especially those of you using christianity as an excuse to belittle and degrade people.