Gold's Gym Franchises Splitting With Parent Company Over CEO's Donation To American Crossroads

[HipChick]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/25/golds-gym-franchise-american-crossroads_n_773693.html

Gold's Gym is facing a backlash from LGBT activists over its CEO's $2 million donation to American Crossroads, the conservative political group affiliated with former Bush adviser Karl Rove.

[flamingdem]

1. Golds Gym and politics? Now that's something entirely new!

I'm happy to hear that.

[emulatorloo]

2. i don't know what to make of Golds International statement to huffpo

Basically, we are very pro LGBT, we participate in PRIDE events, Golds did not make this donation. It was a private donation made by the CEO of the company that owns Golds

"For more than 45 years, Gold's Gym has been welcoming and accepting of members from all walks of life. Diversity is a core part of the Gold's Gym tradition and we have a zero tolerance policy for discrimination of any kind. We are proud to have a large and dedicated base of LGBT members in our gyms...and value our strong ties with the LGBT community. In addition, we are proud of our employees and franchisees around the world who are part of the LGBT community and who go to work every day to help people achieve their fitness goals.

Gold's Gym did not make a donation to American Crossroads (or any other political organization) and in no way supports anti-gay causes. Quite the contrary, the Gold's Gym family has been strong supporters of the LGBT community over the years. This includes supporting PRIDE events, sponsoring LGBT media outlets and donating to various LGBT charities in the communities we serve.

Gold's Gym is a non-political organization and our member's dues are not used to fund political candidates. Bob Rowling, the CEO of our ownership group, TRT Holdings, made a private donation completely independent from (and not on behalf of) Gold's Gym."

[joeybee12]

3. Well then, boot your CEO...it's that simple...nt

[applegrove]

4. Glad there is pushback.