Crossfit Fires Executive After Anti-LGBT Tweets

Russell Berger

Earlier this week, the management of a Crossfit gym in Indianapolis cancelled an LGBT-themed workout via an email sent to members. The email explained that the event was cancelled because “the owners of the gym value health and wellness, and they believe that this event does not.”

From the email:

“Our underlying goal for the staff and members at CrossFit Infiltrate and our other gyms CrossFit White River and University Ave CrossFit, is total health and well-being for the individual and the community. Total health involves the body, the emotions, relationships, and the spirit. At the foundational detractor from health, as we believe God sets the parameters for, is pride. We believe that true health forever can only be found within humility, not pride. Humility is seeing oneself as they truly are, and as God truly defines them to be. As a business we will choose to deploy our resources towards those efforts and causes that line up with our own values and beliefs.”

Russell Berger, “Chief Knowledge Officer” for CrossFit, attacked the LGBTQ community saying all expressions of "pride" are sin in a series of tweets which have now been deleted.

One of the tweets read, "As someone who personally believes celebrating "pride" is a sin, I'd like to personally encourage #CrossFitInfiltrate for standing by their convictions and refusing to host an @indypride workout. The intolerance of the LGBTQ ideology toward any alternative views is mind-blowing."

CrossFit CEO Greg Glassman placed Berger on unpaid leave shortly after that tweet.

He then before fired him Wednesday evening. In an interview, Glassman called Berger a "zealot" who needed to "shut the fuck up."

“I am crazy proud of the gay community in CrossFit.”

-@CrossFitCEO

— CrossFit (@CrossFit) June 6, 2018

CrossFit is a diverse community in every way, and that’s what makes us strong. No matter who you are, how you’re built, what you believe, or who or how you love—we are proud of you.

— CrossFit (@CrossFit) June 6, 2018

The statements made today by Russell Berger do not reflect the views of CrossFit Inc. For this reason, his employment with CrossFit has been terminated.

— CrossFit (@CrossFit) June 6, 2018