Podcast Summary: The Brett Cooper Show – "Why Trans Activists Are Attacking This Gym Owner" | Episode 14

Introduction

In Episode 14 of The Brett Cooper Show, host Brett Cooper delves into the intense backlash faced by Natalie Barnett, the founder of The Girl Spot, a women's-only gym in London. The episode explores the broader conflict between the creation of single-sex spaces and trans-inclusive activism, highlighting the personal and legal battles women face when asserting their rights to safe, women-specific environments.

Natalie Barnett’s Journey and Announcement

Building The Girl Spot

• Background: Natalie Barnett announced her intention to open a women-only gym in London in 2021. Over four years, she invested significant effort into crowdfunding, securing investors, and establishing her business.
• Achievements: By March 2025, Barnett successfully secured a location for The Girl Spot and shared her journey on LinkedIn, emphasizing the high rates of harassment women face in mixed-gender gyms.

Key Quote:

• "71% of women are being harassed in the gym on a regular basis." (00:00)

The Controversial Announcement

• Content: In a LinkedIn video, Barnett clarified that The Girl Spot would cater exclusively to biological women, addressing past support for trans inclusion but ultimately deciding to focus on protecting women from harassment and assault.
• Reaction: The video garnered over 45 million views, triggering a massive wave of criticism and death threats from trans activists and supporters, overshadowing initial positive responses.

Notable Quote:

• "This is not just a gym. This is specifically for women, designed for our biological needs and our safety." (08:07) – Natalie Barnett

Host’s Perspective: Brett Cooper

Support for Barnett’s Decision

• Rationale: Cooper supports Barnett’s focus on creating a safe space for women who have experienced harassment and assault, arguing that such specialized environments are necessary.
• Critique of Trans Activism: He criticizes trans activists for attempting to disrupt single-sex spaces, asserting that there are already inclusive options available for the trans community.

Key Quote:

• "If you're angry, you have other options. You can go elsewhere." (08:07)

Advertisements and Product Placements

• Throughout the episode, Cooper includes advertisements for products like Amallo Tallow and Good Ranchers, seamlessly integrating them into the discussion.

Saul Grover’s Legal Battle in Australia

Creation of Giggle App

• Purpose: Saul Grover developed Giggle, a women-only social networking app, in response to her experiences with sexual harassment in Hollywood.
• Initial Success: The app gained traction until trans activists targeted it, leading to widespread negative reviews and legal challenges.

Legal Challenges

• Human Rights Complaint: In 2022, Grover faced a human rights complaint alleging discrimination against trans individuals.
• Court Ruling: In August 2024, the Australian federal court ruled in favor of trans activists, interpreting Grover’s app as indirect discrimination and acknowledging that "sex is changeable," a decision Grover vehemently disputes.

Key Quote:

• "Sex is not changeable, however, and the judge also didn't have to go so broad with that." (15:28) – Saul Grover

Ongoing Appeals

• Current Status: Both Grover and the trans activist are appealing the court’s decision, with Grover seeking to overturn the ruling and the activist seeking greater damages.

Notable Quote:

• "He wants it upgraded from indirect to direct discrimination. And he wants damages increased from $10,000 to at least $30,000." (17:02)

Nude Russian Day Spa Incident in San Francisco

Event Background

• Women’s Night: A nude spa in San Francisco hosted a women’s night, allowing only biological women to attend nude.
• Trans Activist Protest: Trans activists protested the event, leading to significant disruptions and ultimately forcing the spa to concede.

Spa’s Response

• Inclusive Night Proposal: The spa offered an inclusive nude night where individuals of any gender identity could attend, which did not satisfy the protesters, leading to continued demands for inclusivity.

Key Quote:

• "Women do not want to see genitals in their nude spa." (19:53)

Comparative Analysis

• Cooper draws parallels between this incident and previous cases, emphasizing the recurring pattern of single-sex spaces being targeted when their exclusivity is asserted.

Broader Implications and Title IX

Importance of Single-Sex Spaces

• Safety and Privacy: Cooper underscores the necessity of single-sex spaces for ensuring safety and addressing specific needs of women, referencing Title IX’s foundational principles.
• Legislative Challenges: He highlights attempts to undermine Title IX, including proposals to rewrite or undo it, reflecting the ongoing cultural and legal battles.

Key Quote:

• "These are real, tangible issues that we are trying to protect ourselves against." (24:14)

Impact on Women's Rights

• Protection Against Harassment: The episode argues that women's-only spaces are essential for protecting against harassment and ensuring a safe environment.
• Resistance to Inclusion Demands: Cooper asserts that accommodating trans inclusion often comes at the expense of women's safety and rights, framing it as a zero-sum scenario.

Closing Thoughts and Call to Action

Resilience and Hope

• Inspiration from Activists: Cooper expresses admiration for women like Barnett and Grover who stand firm against overwhelming opposition to protect women's spaces.
• Advocacy for Legislative Change: He calls for greater legislative support to reinforce the importance of single-sex spaces, urging listeners to pressure Congress for meaningful change.

Unified Movement

• Beyond Politics: Cooper emphasizes that the fight for women's safe spaces transcends political affiliations, positioning it as a unifying cause for all women.

Final Quote:

• "If there's one thing you're going to fight about, it might as well be this." (24:37)

Conclusion

In this episode, The Brett Cooper Show presents a compelling narrative on the challenges faced by women asserting their rights to safe, single-sex spaces in the face of trans-inclusive activism. Through the stories of Natalie Barnett and Saul Grover, Cooper highlights the personal, legal, and societal battles inherent in this conflict, advocating for the protection and recognition of women-only environments as essential for their safety and well-being.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

1. "71% of women are being harassed in the gym on a regular basis." – Natalie Barnett (00:00)
2. "This is not just a gym. This is specifically for women, designed for our biological needs and our safety." – Natalie Barnett (08:07)
3. "If you're angry, you have other options. You can go elsewhere." – Brett Cooper (08:07)
4. "Sex is not changeable, however, and the judge also didn't have to go so broad with that." – Saul Grover (15:28)
5. "He wants it upgraded from indirect to direct discrimination. And he wants damages increased from $10,000 to at least $30,000." – Brett Cooper (17:02)
6. "Women do not want to see genitals in their nude spa." – Brett Cooper (19:53)
7. "These are real, tangible issues that we are trying to protect ourselves against." – Brett Cooper (24:14)
8. "If there's one thing you're going to fight about, it might as well be this." – Brett Cooper (24:37)

Attribution: All quotations and timestamps are derived directly from the episode transcript provided.