Discriminatory acts have shockingly surfaced for the first time in Bengaluru's fitness community and are triggering outrage on various social media channels. The popular gym in HSR Layout named Zest Fitness Studio has been slammed for displaying a poster that has attracted charges of being "homophobic" and "discriminatory."
The flyer is said to have claimed the gym does not offer weight loss facilities or provide services for “gays,” a ruling that has been denounced as an egregious abuse of fundamental human rights and the principle of dignity.
The Viral Outpost of Hate
The incident unfolded after a user posted a picture of the offensive banner on Reddit, which was rapidly disseminated on other social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. The poster had been aimed even at the gay community, implying they should not be allowed in the facility for weight loss training.
Netizens were quick to note the absurdity and cruelty of the messaging. “Who enabled them to put up anything like that?” commented one Reddit user. “Action must be taken against the management.” Another user was shocked that a well-known gym in a cosmopolitan center like HSR Layout had such regressive opinions.
A Day's Row Against Social Media Outrage and Boycott Calls
Bengaluru’s fitness lovers and LGBTQ+ allies reacted quickly and vehemently. Management Critique: A majority of users laughed and mocked those who run this gym: You can read in "This proves that the people running this gym have no brain only muscles. They are functionally illiterate."
Personal Experiences: An ex-gym member added, “I went to this gym for a year. The managers and trainers are really unhinged. They are just confirming a toxic culture on this poster.”
Blatant homophobia at a gym in HSR. Can't believe this is real
byu/skullkeeper0023 inbangalore
Action
Many netizens have urged netizens to boycott Zest Fitness Studio altogether, and encouraged people to leave "1-star" reviews on Google to hold the establishment accountable for its bigoted stances. Gym Management Makes an apology Following intense online heat and publications like Times Now, its management at Zest Fitness Studio reportedly put out a statement in response. They said they did not intend to hurt, nor singled out a particular community, and expressed an apology for the "misunderstanding." But for many, the apology was an afterthought, following the massive damage to their prestige.
The Image of Inclusion Brings Down To Bengaluru
For several years Bengaluru has also been regarded as one of India’s most inclusive and progressive cities. Incidents like these are taken as a serious blow to the city’s reputation. Activists have made the case that fitness and health are among the rights of the universal person as well as that to discriminate based on sexual orientation is not just wrong ethically but reflects deep-seated homophobia lingering in urban pockets.
As of today, the poster has reportedly been removed, but the "digital trail" of the incident still has a hold on the gym's online views. Local authorities have also been tagged in a number of posts, with citizens calling for trade licenses to be checked for those discriminatory businesses.
