WHY WE HOLD PRIDE EVENTS AT PFP

As a lifelong gym user and athlete, I feel MOST comfortable in fitness spaces. However, for many people, this isn’t the case. Fitness spaces can be filled with prejudice and judgment, which can make them feel exclusionary (both consciously and subconsciously). Not everyone has the privilege of walking into any space and feeling safe and welcome. 

Being Open vs Being Celebrated

PFP has always been open to Pride Month, but it wasn't something we have always celebrated. About 5-6 years ago, I approached one of our coaches who is part of the LGBTQ+ community and asked if they would be interested in doing any Pride events at the gym. She said “yes”. Instantly, I was in! However, I didn’t know much about it or the rainbow flag. I wanted to educate myself about what the month and flag were about. 

Not Just Symbols, But Safety

I quickly realized that the flags we hung weren’t just symbols of support but of safety and comfort. Our original plan was to just hang the flags in our window every June. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized we needed to keep them up. I don’t need a symbol to tell me a fitness space is safe. But some folks do. Everyone deserves to occupy spaces where they are not just tolerated but celebrated. 

The Vulnerability Link

True growth happens when we are vulnerable. We can’t be truly vulnerable unless we feel safe and welcome. At PFP, our mission is to create a fitness community where people feel safe and are free to be themselves.