Juneau -- Thursday, the Alaska Senate passed Senate Bill 176, sponsored by Senator Drue Pearce, which would allow for gender-based health clubs to provide services to same gender members.

"Gender-based health clubs offer a secluded environment for people to feel more at ease in what is often an intimidating setting, said Senator Pearce. "For some, working out in the presence of the opposite gender acts as a deterrent to going to a health club. SB 176 is an important piece of legislation because it would allow those who do prefer to work out in a single-gender environment to enjoy the health benefits of exercise.

SB 176 was drafted following an action filed by the Alaska Human Rights Commission (AHRC) against the Anchorage Women's Club. The commission decided that the club unlawfully discriminates against men because it is a place of public accommodation. AHRC based their decision on Alaska Statute 18.80.230, which prohibits discrimination based on gender in places of accommodation, such as restaurants, bars, theaters, pools, golf courses, hotels and motels. Health clubs are not listed in AS 18.80.300 as places of accommodation. This bill would clarify this ambiguity in the law.

"In some cases there are very valid privacy reasons to separate the sexes, especially where the equal protection concerns are nominal at best," said Senator Pearce. "Privacy is a right established under the Alaska Constitution and this bill addresses these concerns."

Alaska is not the first state to consider allowing single-gender health clubs. Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Tennessee have all authorized the existence of same gender fitness and wellness centers.

SB 176 moves to the House for consideration.

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= Drue Pearce, 42 K