Júlio Otávio Miranda da Silvaa Brazilian influencer better known as Julius Mamuteformally denounced a gym in the region of São Paulo. According to him, they denied him membership because «being too fat.»
The conflict began on January 22, when the content creator attended a test swimming class at the Academia Horizonlocated in the Campestre neighborhood. Shortly after the session, venue managers contacted Silva to inform him that his membership application was rejected.
According to his testimony, shared on his networks and collected by The Sunthe gym staff justified the measure on the grounds that their current facilities are not suitable for people of their size. physical build.
Silva, who weighs 208 kilos (460 pounds)described the treatment as an act of discrimination.
In a statement, the sports center indicated that, after the influencer’s test class, «it became clear that there were difficulties that could compromise safety.»
«After class, we had an open conversation and explained that, given the current conditions of our facilitiesit was not possible to continue with registration without putting the safety of the participants at risk,» said Academia Horizon.
The gym assured that the rejection had no origin «in prejudices»but was based «on responsibility, caution and concern for the health and well-being» of Silva.
However, Silva denied that there were any real impediments to his performance in the pool and downplayed the physical challenges of the session.
Júlio Mamute and his fight against obesity
The influencer, who uses the name @mamuteofficial On social networks, he reported that the only drawback was the exit from the pool. “I made it clear to them that it was not a problem. «I became very sad,» stated the young man in statements to local Brazilian media.
After the rejection, the influencer reported the incident to the police, who registered the case as a “non-criminal” incident, although they warned that the gym’s conduct could represent an abusive practice under the consumer protection law.
The officers who responded to his complaint indicated that The legislation prohibits discriminatory treatment and the refusal of services that place the client at an unreasonable disadvantage. For this reason, they advised Silva to initiate a civil action so that justice can determine the relevant responsibilities.
This case occurs in a context where obesity among adults in Brazil has doubled in the last two decades. Currently, the condition affects almost a third of the population.
Brazilian regulations classify obesity as a disability and there are state laws that protect the rights of this group of citizens.
Júlio Otávio Miranda da Silva has 1.7 million followers on Instagram and documents his physical transformation process daily. So far, the influencer has managed to lose more than 99 kilos (220 pounds) and receives constant support from his community.
«More than ever, we need empathy, love and giving to others. Evolving as a society is not just about complying with the law, it is about caring for people, looking at each other with humanity and social responsibility,» wrote Carlos Secco, another influencer, in support of Silva.
