Pride Weekend at CFSBK
On Monday, we posted the following statement of inclusion and anti-oppression:
CrossFit South Brooklyn recognizes the dignity and worth of every person and is committed to creating an environment that is safe, accessible, inclusive, and respectful for all members and visitors. To create this important space for our community, we do not tolerate oppression on the basis of race, ethnicity, economic status, gender/gender identity, sexual orientation, immigration status, religion, ability, or age.
The importance of community is central to the CrossFit fitness methodology. For CFSBK, this means creating a space where all members are truly welcomed, supported, and celebrated in their fitness and other life pursuits.
What does this statement mean for the transgender community at CFSBK?
You may have noticed the pink, blue, and white flag hanging on our front pull-up bar across from the more commonly known rainbow flag symbolizing LGBTQ pride. This flag represents the trans community, and this year for Pride we are focusing on this community for two reasons.
First, while the LGBTQ rights movement has made a lot of progress over the past few decades, there is still a long way to go, particularly for members of the trans community, who face significant discrimination and violence. For this reason, CFSBK’s Pride weekend workout will be a benefit for 2 nonprofit organizations serving the trans community: the Sylvia Rivera Law Project and Marsha P. Johnson Institute. Instead of the usual “male” and “female” Rx weights, these suggested loadings will be named after the late Sylvia and Marsha in honor of their contributions to the LGBTQ movement.
Second, the signaling of inclusion to the trans community from a gym is an important gesture to show our commitment to creating a supportive fitness environment. Gyms are not typically safe or welcoming spaces for trans and gender nonconforming people due to the fear of stigma, discrimination, violence, and issues associated with the often-gendered aspects of gym environments, such as locker rooms and bathrooms. These factors (and more) create significant fitness roadblocks for trans people who simply want to work out without fear.
You may have noticed the trans pride stickers on our locker room doors at 608. These stickers indicate that CFSBK welcomes our members and visitors to use the locker room of their choice. We also ask our staff and members to support our trans and gender nonconforming members in these spaces by recognizing that they are where they belong—just as we are welcoming in all other aspects of the gym. Additionally, CFSBK’s shower stalls were built large enough and with shelving inside the door so that anyone with concerns for privacy or modesty can change separate from the common area.
A note on gendered prescription loads on workouts
CrossFit’s programming often includes two gendered “prescription” weights for males and females. Offering specific weights has practical value for standardization of the workouts, competition, and informing programming intent, but in practice, for most of us, these numbers are more informative than prescriptive. Each person’s strengths and abilities are unique and specific to them. While an Rx may provide some aspirational goals for loads on workouts, the load or version of a workout has less to do with gender and more to do with your own current abilities.
Questions and Feedback
We recognize that creating truly inclusive environments for all members is an intentional and ongoing process, and CFSBK welcomes feedback and questions from our members on how we can uphold our value of inclusivity.
Join Us Tomorrow for “Stonewall”!
As Saturday’s programming, CFSBK will hold a workout for Pride weekend called “Stonewall,” in honor of the 1969 Stonewall Rebellion. Stonewall was a weekend-long demonstration and riot at the end of June against police raids and harassment at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, which many mark as the birth of the modern LGBTQ rights movement.
AMRAP 15 Minutes:
6 Squat Cleans 135 (Marsha) / 95 (Sylvia)
28 Double-Unders
6 Shoulder-to-Overheads 135 / 95
9 Burpees
This workout will be free and open to all, so feel free to invite friends and loved ones! We will be collecting suggested donations of $20 (or an amount that is meaningful to you) to benefit the nonprofit organizations mentioned above. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
_____________________
Is Your Gym LGBT Friendly? US News
Why We Need Our Own Gyms Advocate
A Guide to Being a Good Trans Ally NCTE
Saturday’s Programming
“Stonewall”
AMRAP 15 Minutes:
6 Squat Cleans 135 (Marsha) / 95 (Sylvia)
28 Double-Unders
6 Shoulder-to-Overheads 135 / 95
9 Burpees
Post rounds, reps, and Rx to comments.
Makeup post from yesterday’s 10 AM (yup, 10 AM; I had a random day off from work and it was GLORIOUS)
Worked to 118 on the clean. 118 was wobbly and I took a step forward standing it up, but otherwise things went fairly well.
WOD in a very leisurely 10:26. It didn’t FEEL that slow while I was doing it, although I guess I wasn’t breathing terribly hard. How do you get faster at situps? 😛
I’m always proud of my gym. Today, I’m especially proud of it. What a fantastic statement of support for the LGBTQ (and especially the trans) community. Hugs to all.
<3
Agreed, Samir!
This feels — in the best way — like the logical continuation of the “blue/yellow” or “20/15 kilo” nomenclature for bars from *my* SBK days. I hope the revised nomenclature around loading — even if not attached to Sylvia and Martha’s names — continues past the Pride workout.
I remember it feeling really powerful when SBK put the colors of the pride flag on a t-shirt, allowing its members to make a small, sartorial statement of visibility in public spaces beyond the confines of Pride weekend.
That shirt elicits high fives, compliments, and thank yous almost every time I wear it — even in 2018, even in a city as progressive as Amsterdam.
I’ll be sure to break it out this weekend as you all celebrate Pride this weekend.
Ryan! HIIIIIIIIIII!
Ryan you lurker when are you dropping in to CFSBK?
Ryan!!! <3 <3 <3
7am doing Stonewall!
4 rounds + 10 reps @ 83#
The bad:
-Squat cleans + DU’s = heart rate jacks immediately
-Lost all time on doubles; if I’d scaled the weight a touch more and/or the volume of DUs, I think I could’ve cleared 5+ rounds. Then on the other hand, I think if I’d just done the RX weight, and stayed stubborn as I did tripping through all the DUs, my result would’ve been about the same.
The good:
-Push jerks felt amazing. All unbroken, crisp, controlled. 93# would’ve been fine.
The best:
-I borrowed a bit from DO’s approach to Murph, using a workout to be contemplative about an issue, and applied that today, especially in the last, long few minutes. Stonewall is an intense moment of history to reflect on: sometimes love is the answer, and sometimes you have to throw some fcking bricks. Either way, I’m proud to be a part of a community that acknowledges and protects the dignity of all its members.
Off to New Orleans for the weekend; have an amazing pride weekend!! <3
7am doing Thursday’s workout
Worked up to 123# on the cleans, these felt good today.
WOD in 8:46. Forearms!!
Excited for Stonewall tomorrow. So intensely proud of this gym. If we have a friend coming, does that friend need previous CF experience?
Hey Jaime!
My understanding is that if a non-CF buddy were to attend, the coach leading class would be able to provide scaling options for them. Probably a light deadlift and then push press. Hope that helps!
Thanks so much, Whit!!
Just did some Stonewall-ing with Whitney this morning @ 8am (thanks Whit!). Y’all will enjoy it. Make sure to manage your heart rate! I did not know the meaning of the pink, blue, and white flag until I saw it hanging outside the gym. Learned something new today!
The fun fact that I learned a few days ago is that Ronaldo was named after Ronald Reagan, his father’s “favorite actor”. Clearly they did not have Netflix in Portugal back then.
I am always impressed by the community DO has built and was honored to participate in Stonewall this morning.
Stonewall: 6 rounds + 34 reps at the Sylvia Rx.
Cleans unbroken first round, then 4-2 for the rest. DU unbroken. S2O as push jerks all unbroken, which got rough those last few rounds. Burpees slow and steady.
Love you guys for this post ❤️❤️❤️
Did Stonewall at 105lbs at the noon class today with Whitney. Allie and I were the only ones in class, and we had a great time. I mean, I almost lost my shit in the workout, it was so humid, and I was so under slept, but it was still awesome. Looking forward to a nap.
Happy Pride Week. Hand out some hugs and party!
BTW, if you are NOT going to be out with the paraders on Sunday afternoon, stop by 68 Jay Street Bar at 5 PM for Smart in DUMBO trivia! Charlie’s pouring the drinks (and she makes them strong), I dish out the questions. Because I’m turning 40 next week, I’m also bringing some delicious birthday cake to share.
There’s a free round of drinks for the winners and a free drink for the funniest wrong answer, so even if you feel dumb in DUMBO you can still win something!
xoxoxox thank you for this post
just wanted to repost my dear friend erica’s article again that is also timely
https://www.girlsgonestrong.com/blog/coaching-and-training/creating-welcoming-gym-environments-trans-gender-nonconforming-athletes/
Aggretsuko!!
Going to Maine this weekend, so had to get in Stonewall!
Had a blast doing Stonewall with samir and Coach Whit.
Cleans 93#— hardest and slowest part of the workout. Always great feedback from Whit
28 dubz
6 strict press 20# DBs (way easier than push jerks I think)
9burpees
4 rounds + 5 reps
Overslept, so had to do my shoulder stuff after class.
3x
10 bear crawl shoulder taps
10 sup grip band pull apart a
10 T push up
3x
Powell raise 6×5# each (could have gone up to 7.5 but wanted to make sure form was great
10 KB bar arm 10# kettlebell, each side
Have a great weekend!
this make me ❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎ CFSBK even more! miss everything about this gym and what it represents!