Solace New York seeks to develop and support an inclusive community whereby people of differing identities feel valued, respected, and encouraged to be the best versions of themselves.
We believe individuals of all identities, including but not limited to those of differing races, colors, classes, gender identities, ages, sexual orientations, religions, ethnic or national origins, disabilities, or physical appearances, have a right to thrive and be celebrated for their inherent value.
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is a process of continual refinement over time. As part of this process, we will periodically release and update value statements that reference specific areas we have targeted.
We welcome thoughts and suggestions from all members of our community as we build out these statements.
Members of the LGBTQ+ community have long faced discrimination in settings of sports and physical activity. Given Solace New York’s mission to…we are a dedicated supporter of the LGBTQ+ community. Hayden-William Courtland, co-owner and general manager of the company, is an out gay man and directly oversees all matters of LGBTQ+ inclusivity as Solace.
Solace New York also partners with the Out Foundation, a not-for-profit organization, to hold fitness events and classes that raise money for a variety of LGBTQ+ initiatives including athlete scholarships and gender affirmation surgeries.
It is our belief that standing up for a people, especially for their human rights, does not mean you negate or devalue your support for others. However, not standing up for a people not only negates your community, but also your humanity. If we are all in this together and if all lives do matter, then we must, and do, proudly affirm that Black Lives Matter.
On Friday June 24th, 2022, the US Supreme Court overturned Roe vs Wade which, for nearly 50 years, protected a woman’s and other birthing people’s right to choose. The reversal of such a longstanding protection of human rights has never occurred in modern United States history.
We are outraged by this ruling as it will reduce the quality of life for many individuals. Most directly, the ruling will create significant economic and health challenges for women and birthing people, especially those who are economically disenfranchised and those of Black and Latinx heritage. Looking to the future, the ruling opens the door to roll back other rights such as those only recently afforded to LGBTQIA+ individuals (i.e., same-sex marriage protections). As a LGBTQIA+ owned business this ruling hits doubly hard. In short, the long-term ramifications of this ruling stand to be catastrophic for a great many people.
We are fortunate to be based in New York State where the rights offered by Roe vs Wade will remain protected through state legislation. However, we recognize that in our current times even these protections cannot be guaranteed in perpetuity, and we are keenly aware that many other states are enacting laws to remove these protections immediately. As this battle continues to unfold, we will continue to use our voice to fight for what is right and will begin by making financial contributions to Planned Parenthood.
Solace New York is the #1 fitness gym that New Yorkers in Manhattan go to for their workouts.