College of Charleston student says she was kicked out of the campus gym due to her outfit

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A student at the College of Charleston said she was kicked out of the George Street Fitness Center for working out in a crop top.

In a Facebook post that has since been "liked," shared and commented on hundreds of times, Sarah Villafañe said she was approached by multiple gym employees asking her to put on a different shirt.

"Obviously I didn't bring an extra shirt to the gym and wasn't about to wear my flannel while working out," she wrote on Facebook Wednesday.

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So I just got kicked out of the College of Charleston student gym for wearing this outfit. Like not allowed to work out. Not allowed to because of THIS OUTFIT THAT I BOUGHT SPECIFICALLY TO WORK OUT IN.

I've worn this same outfit all day. Went to 3 classes and spoke personally with each of my professors today and they didn't have a problem. But when I walked into the gym they asked me to put on a different shirt. Obviously I didn't bring an extra shirt to the gym and wasn't about to wear my flannel while working out. So I just said mhm ok and went about my work out pretty pissed off that they even asked me to change.

Then, when I'm in the BACK CORNER of the gym doing abs on the floor, another staff member comes up and asks me to "put my shirt back on." I said "I have a shirt on." They say "no that's not a shirt. You have to wear a whole shirt" I say "how is this not a shirt?" And she says "You need full coverage. If you have a problem, we always have our boss here." I laughed and said "Alright bring him over here if he has a problem."

A few minutes later while I'm doing more work outs on the floor, the "boss" comes up. He says "I'm gonna need you to put a shirt on." Again, I tell them "I am wearing a shirt." He says "I need you to put on a shirt or I'm gonna have to ask you to leave." I said "But I HAVE A SHIRT ON." He says "Are you gonna put a shirt on?" And I said "Well if this isn't a shirt... no. I'm not gonna put a shirt on."

WTF COFC. I bought this outfit to work out in because it's COMFORTABLE. What is the issue? Why can't I work out in this outfit? Is my belly button distracting to the general 85% male demographic that your gym serves? I'm forced to leave, WHY? Honestly I'm so floored that I just got kicked out for this. DO BETTER COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON.

[EDIT:] The gym has since said that they kicked me out for "sanitary concerns." However, they never made those sanitary concerns clear when they asked me to change. They told me I need "more coverage" and nothing more. Not to mention, their website has no written dress code anyway. The dress code at the front of the gym simply says "Athletic wear must be worn." I would say that what I'm wearing (whether you believe it's a sports bra or a crop top) is completely normal and considered athletic wear.

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