Curves Controversy Raises Questions for Consumers Who Support Reproductive Rights

by Rachel Weisshaar, Communications Intern

Curves, a chain of health clubs targeted to women, is the world's largest fitness-center franchise and the fastest-growing franchise in the United States. The Waco, Texas, fitness company promotes a 30-minute, three-session-per-week fitness program designed to appeal to women of all ages. No mirrors are installed in the franchises, and members are encouraged to bring their friends. By virtually all accounts the franchise has rapidly become successful since its founding in 1995, and is now the country's second-largest franchise, after McDonald's.

However, recent articles in the San Francisco Chronicle, Salon.com and other publications have spurred a controversy: Company founder Gary Heavin has reportedly donated millions of dollars to organizations with anti-abortion goals, including CareNet, which operates so-called "crisis" pregnancy centers that discourage women from considering abortion. Though Heavin, a born-again Christian, has not hidden his anti-abortion stance from franchisees, some reproductive rights supporters have cancelled their memberships to Curves or have expressed concern as a result of the news coverage.

Though Heavin has denied media reports that he is involved with the militant anti-abortion group Operation Save America, the organization posted a statement on its web site late last year thanking Heavin for his multimillion dollar donation to CareNet and other groups. "[Heavin] stepped up to the plate in a major way," the Operation Save America statement said.

Much of Heavin's wealth comes from selling the Curves franchises. Women's rights leaders point out that Heavin also collects a set monthly payment from each franchise, regardless of how successful (or unsuccessful) it is. There are concerns that individuals boycotting Curves will primarily hurt small business owners, many of whom are women committed to women's health issues who did not know of Heavin's views. The same concerns don't hold true for those considering new franchises; they should be aware of the company's anti-choice political affiliations.

"Women as consumers ... ought to do what they can do to inform themselves so that they can put their money where their politics are," said NOW President Kim Gandy, during a May 22 interview on NBC's Weekend Today Show.

For ideas about what to do in your community, go to http://www.curversforchoice.com.