Hoosier Heights climbing gym in Bloomington (Seth Tackett, WFIU/WTIU News)
Allegations of sexual harassment, racism and unsafe working conditions are piling up against a local climbing gym.
Gabrielle Sanchez-Steenberger remembers her first encounter with Hoosier Heights owner Joe Anderson.
“I was talking about how proud I was of my Latina heritage, and he was heavily encouraging me, as he put it, to be just as proud of my Caucasian heritage,” Sanchez-Steenberger said.
Sanchez-Steenberger, worked at the Bloomington climbing gym from 2017 to 2019 as a social media coordinator. She said Anderson talked about the superiority of certain people’s genetic disposition.
“I have this vivid memory of him, I asked him, how can you tell who these genetically superior people are, and he said, usually by looking at them.”
Another former employee, Shelbie Porteroff, had a similar conversation with Anderson.
“Joe touched on the fact that it is just women’s roles and responsibility to have children, and being a parent is the most fulfilling thing in anyone’s life, and it’s just our responsibility to do that,” Porteroff said.
Porteroff worked in a supervisory role at Hoosier Heights Bloomington from October 2016 April 2018.
In addition to racist rhetoric and sexual harassment, Porteroff and Sanchez-Steinberger say during their time at Hoosier Heights they observed unsafe climbing conditions.
“It’s legally required under Indiana law for all health clubs to have defibrillator systems in their facilities, and those do not exist at Hoosier Heights,” said Sanchez-Steenberger.
The law requiring AEDs in gyms throughout Indiana was passed in 2007.
Porteroff recently launched a change.org petition demanding Anderson improve the work culture at Hoosier heights, which also have locations in Louisville and Carmel, Indiana.
“We have also demanded that we receive an apology to the community and the staff for unsafe working conditions and improper treatment,” said Porteroff.
Both Sanchez-Steenberger and Porteroff say even though they haven’t worked at Hoosier Heights for more than a year, they are passionate about the climbing community.
“And when I began going back to the gym as not an employee, I was made to feel very isolated and unwelcome,” Porteroff said.
Reached for comment, Hoosier Heights Interim President Kevin Keene provided this statement:
“Hoosier Heights Bloomington serves a passionate community of climbers, and we appreciate our employees providing feedback on ways we can improve and better serve our community. Last week, we began announcing several efforts to evolve our company, including changes in leadership, evaluation of policies and procedures, and ways we can improve safety measures.
We’re also taking into account the current pandemic with a singular focus on the health and safety of our employees and members of the Bloomington climbing community.
Upon reopening, we will provide more options and opportunities for employee training in areas such as route setting, safety inspection, workplace inclusion, first aid, the use of AEDs and more. We’re very proud of the fact that all employees – salaried and anyone scheduled for shifts – have been and are continuing to be paid during this time.”
Anderson posted a message on Hoosier Heights Facebook page saying in part:
“Blinded by pride, stubbornness and misguided opinions, I have said and done things perceived to be offensive. Regardless of my intentions and personal disgust for racism, sexism and homophobia, I am only now beginning to understand that this is not about me and my perspective.”
Anderson went onto say he will form a diversity council to help advise him on improving the culture at his company.
Both women say while they are encouraged to read Anderson’s comments, but they intend to proceed with the petition until substantial changes are made.
“This is a way that I can ensure that racism and bigotry and sexual harassment have no place in my community,” Sanchez-Steenberger said.
Hoosier Heights says it expects to announce a reopening date for all three of its locations in the coming days.
