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Boosie Badazz says Planet Fitness denied him entry after transphobic comments about Dwyane Wade's daughter

Rapper says gym referenced his comments about gender in its decision 

Chelsea Ritschel
New York
Friday 21 February 2020 20:13 GMT
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Boosie Badazz says he was denied entry to Planet Fitness after transphobic comments about Dwyane Wade's daughter (Getty)
Boosie Badazz says he was denied entry to Planet Fitness after transphobic comments about Dwyane Wade's daughter (Getty)

Boosie Badazz has claimed he was denied entry to a Planet Fitness gym because of transphobic comments he made about Dwyane Wade’s daughter.

Earlier this week, the rapper faced heavy criticism after he condemned Wade’s decision to support his 12-year-old daughter Zaya’s transition, after she came out as transgender.

On Thursday, Boosie revealed in an Instagram video, that shows him pulling out of the parking lot of a Georgia Planet Fitness, that he was turned away from his gym because of his comments regarding "gender".

The Louisiana-born rapper captioned the video: “Manager who was gay refused to let me in Planet Fitness because of my past actions on social media about gender etc,” before accusing the gym of having “roaches” and cold water in its showers.

In the video, Boosie tells his 6.9m followers: “Do not go to Planet Fitness. They racist, they haters. They just put me out Planet Fitness for what I said about Dwyane Wade son,” misgendering Zaya.

Boosie then adds that the gym also referenced another of his videos, in which he reportedly referred to one of the employees with a homophobic slur, in its decision to ask him to leave.

In a statement to People, Planet Fitness confirmed that Boosie was asked to leave after “refusing to comply with gym policies and harassing staff”.

“Planet Fitness does not tolerate harassment or discrimination of any kind,” spokesperson McCall Gosselin said. “In this instance, a guest was asked to leave after refusing to comply with gym policies and harassing club staff. We are the home of the Judgement Free Zone and as such, we have policies in place to ensure that we maintain a non-intimidating, welcoming environment for all of our members where everyone feels accepted.”

This week, Wade revealed during an interview with Good Morning America that Zaya, born Zion, knew that she was transgender from an early age.

“She’s known it for nine years,” Wade told GMA co-anchor Robin Roberts. “She’s known since she was three years old.”

During the interview, Wade also opened up about what his daughter’s transition meant for him.

"I knew early on that I had to ask myself questions,” he recalled. “I’ve been a person in a locker room that has been a part of the conversation that has said the wrong phrases and the wrong words myself.”

The Independent has contacted Planet Fitness for comment.

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