Florida Man Kicked Out Of Planet Fitness For Wearing Pro-Life T-Shirt

Mike Amoroso of Deltona, Florida, was reportedly kicked out of a Planet Fitness gym on two different occasions for wearing an anti-abortion shirt. Several gym patrons complained about his attire, insisting that it was offensive.

Amoroso, who reportedly has a collection of pro-life shirts, is adamant about supporting the issue. But, apparently, everyone doesn’t find his views favorable. The 70-year-old man recently spoke with WFTV about the entire ordeal. In a nutshell, he says he was told to either take the shirt off or leave the facility.

“She told me, ‘I am very sorry. We have someone who is not happy with your shirt. Someone is offended by your shirt.’ I said, ‘You know, I wear them all the time.’ She said, ‘You’ll have to leave,’ and I left.”

Pro-Life activist Bryan Kemper also spoke with Amoroso and released a detailed account of the incident.

“I just got off the phone with Michael Amarosa, a 68 year-old man from Deltona, Florida who was recently kicked out of the local Planet Fitness for wearing a pro-life t-shirt to work out in,” Kemper explained. “Michael has been going to Planet Fitness for three years and about two weeks ago was approached by one of the staff as he was working out. The staff member informed him that his shirt was offensive to someone and asked if he would be willing to change into a shirt she had in her hand. Michael said no and asked what would happen if he did not change his shirt. He was asked to leave.”

Planet Fitness also released a statement to address the situation. Since all of the locations are independently owned, the franchise refuses to take responsibility for the local facility’s decision to ask Amoroso to leave, reports The Global Dispatch.

“At Planet Fitness, we are committed to providing a comfortable and welcoming environment for everyone. The majority of Planet Fitness clubs, including this location in Orange City, FL, are owned and operated by individual franchisees. The dress code policy is enforced at the discretion of club staff and the local franchisee,” the company said in a statement.

However, Kemper finds the facility’s perspective of accountability hypocritical. Here’s why.

“Now before I go on, lets look at the slogan for Planet Fitness: ‘Welcome to Planet Fitness. Home of the Judgment Free Zone.’ That’s right, Planet Fitness wants people to think they are a ‘judgment free zone’ while casting judgment on Michael for a pro-life t-shirt. Michael’s shirt read, ‘abortion kills a person’ and he thought that if he wore a less abrasive shirt that maybe they would not cast judgment on him. He was wrong. Michael came back the next day wearing a shirt that read, ‘pray to end abortion’ and he was approached again and asked to leave.”

Although Amoroso stated that he understands why some people find his attire offensive, he made it clear that he doesn’t care about the opinion of others. He revealed he may even start wearing his shirts more.

Kemper also plans to help Amoroso seek justice for his alleged mistreatment.

“I am in the process of contacting pro-life lawyers for Michael to help him fight Planet Fitness and get his rights back. In the mean time I need you help us fight for Michael.”

Do you think Michael Amoroso should have been kicked out for wearing a pro-life shirt? Share your thoughts.

[Image via Bing]