A gym in Armstrong is facing backlash over its business cards, which depict a ‘straight pride’ logo on the back.
An image of Fitness 2 Life’s card has been shared on Facebook more than 150 times – but owner Peter Nenasheff says he hasn’t seen the comments because he doesn’t have a Facebook account.
Called on Thursday, he said use of the straight pride logo is “freedom of his expression,” and he didn’t mean for it to come across as hateful.
“I do not have any problems with anyone who comes and uses the gym. All people are welcome here,” said Nenasheff. “It’s frustrating to hear about what people are saying about me online, because I’m not racist or homophobic at all.”
Nenasheff says Fitness 2 Life is inclusive to all, and anyone can sign up to be a member. He views the straight pride logo as an expression of himself.
“I am a heterosexual, and you see everyone pushing gay pride, which is fine,” he says. “If someone wants to put straight pride on their business cards, I don’t understand why that would be an issue. If I had a gay pride symbol, would people get offended?”
While the logo may be perceived by some as a harmless expression of self, those who identify as LGBTQI+ can find the logo discriminatory, and sometimes even unsafe.
“When a business puts up a rainbow sticker, it shows that this is a safe and welcoming place,” says Dawn Tucker, a longtime advocate of the North Okanagan LGBTQI+ community. “A straight pride logo is perceived by people in our community as discriminatory, and it comes across that his gym is not a safe environment for minorities.”
Tucker hopes that the incident is just a big misunderstanding, and that the logo didn’t come from a place of hate or homophobia.
“I hope that the business card logo only comes from a lack of education and awareness of what pride actually means, and the connotations that can come with straight pride logos,” she says. “People can run their businesses how they choose, but I’m not sure if his messaging is coming across how he intended.”
A large number of Facebook users took exception to the logo, sounding off in the comments.
“It’s actually disgusting to me. I’m glad people also see this for what it is,” wrote Joshua Schutte. “It’s not OK to be blatantly discriminatory nowadays, you will be called out… and it’s embarrassing that people don’t know that already.”
“Imagine being so bigoted that you think you’re oppressed because others have equal rights,” wrote Abbie Rose Wilson.
While the vast majority were opposed to the cards, there were a few who weren’t so critical.
“It’s out in the open, and you can choose to go there or not if his beliefs aren’t in line with yours,” said Shantelle Juffs. “Go find a different gym. I’m sure there are many that openly advertise LGBT pride.”
Cherry Hill Coffee, a supplier to the gym, had its logo used on the front of the business card without consent and has taken swift action to distance itself.
“We did not give the owner permission to use our logo on his business cards, and since it is a registered logo we may pursue further action,” said president David Bigelow. “The straight pride logo has no affiliation with our company, and Cherry Hill Coffee opposes the use of the logo and what it represents.”
Bigelow says he visited Fitness 2 Life this morning and asked for all the business cards that had their logo on it, and adds that Nenasheff was co-operative.
