In a troubling incident that sparked widespread outrage, a gym reached out to a mother at home to suggest she cover up the next time she breastfed her children. This disturbing complaint quickly gained traction on social media.
It’s disheartening to see that, as we enter 2016, mothers still face harassment for breastfeeding in public. Thanks to brave individuals like Emma Thompson, who share their experiences, we can raise awareness about the unacceptability (and illegality) of asking nursing mothers to cover up or relocate.
Emma was picking up her children from the gym’s daycare when she decided to breastfeed them, as they were both in distress. According to her social media post, she nursed her children and returned home, only to receive an embarrassing phone call from a gym staff member insisting she needed to use a cover-up or find a secluded area to nurse. Is this really happening? Do they not realize that, legally, Emma has the right to breastfeed wherever she is allowed to be? Fortunately, she took the opportunity to educate them.
When I explained that they could not legally require me to cover up or leave, shared my concerns about my children’s distress, and highlighted how detrimental such a call could be for a less experienced mother, I was met with resistance. Despite multiple phone calls throughout the day, I was misled in an apparent effort to keep the supervisor (the general manager of ACAC Midlothian) out of the situation. Eventually, when I reached the general manager, I received no apology and was instead criticized for nursing in public.
As Emma points out, such incidents can be incredibly damaging for less confident mothers who might be attempting to nurse in public for the first time. Experiences like this could deter a mother from continuing to breastfeed or lead her to feel she must do so in a bathroom stall. In 2016, can we please ask businesses to stop this type of harassment and respect breastfeeding mothers?
Following the virality of her complaint, ACAC Midlothian issued a weak “apology” on their Facebook page, claiming that at no point had they interrupted the mother or asked her to stop breastfeeding. However, their actions—shaming her after the fact—paint a different picture.
Fortunately, many comments on the gym’s post have clarified how incorrect and unjust their response was. It’s worth noting that a gym is a place where individuals frequently wear revealing attire while working out, yet nursing in public is still met with stigma. The same standard should apply to all types of feeding, whether it involves a baby or an adult.
According to local news, Emma’s partner, Mark Taylor, is now in contact with the attorney who helped draft Virginia’s law protecting breastfeeding mothers, aiming to ensure the gym adheres to these legal protections. The stigma surrounding breastfeeding needs to end, as the law is on the side of nursing mothers, and it is crucial for all businesses and public spaces to acknowledge this right. After all, we wouldn’t expect a person to hide away while eating a sandwich—nursing mothers deserve the same respect.
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In summary, the incident at the gym highlights the ongoing challenges faced by breastfeeding mothers. It is crucial for society to support and empower these mothers rather than shame them. As legal protections exist, businesses must adapt to ensure that all mothers feel comfortable and respected while nursing.