Penelopy Mansell has been transgender for two years, and is 'female' on her birth certificate, but was denied from joining a Wellington gym because she has not undergone a surgical sex change.

A transgender woman has been denied entry to a Wellington women's gym for not being woman enough.

Have you had a similar experience with a gender-specific business? Email newstips@stuff.co.nz

The gender-exclusive Revive Fitness, which has three Wellington branches, advertises with the tagline: "For all women".

KEVIN STENT/STUFF Revive Fitness, which has the slogan "for all women", says it will re-evaluate its policy when it comes to transgender women.

But when Penelopy Mansell enquired about joining on Monday, she encountered staff who questioned her gender and closed the door.

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Revive Fitness requires more than just legal documentation proving womanhood; it requires affirmation of sexual reassignment surgery.

The company now says it will re-evaluate the policy.

Mansell, who returned to live in Wellington two weeks ago, was interested in joining a women's gym as she doesn't feel safe in a gym with male clients.

She visited Revive's Willis St branch and was initially engaged by chatty staff.

But then came the question: "Can I ask you, have you had the operation?"

Mansell has not, but she has gone through a two-year process to change her legal gender on her birth certificate.

"I don't have Caitlyn Jenner's money to look like the female I'm supposed to."

Even if she could afford the expensive sexual reassignment surgery, there is only one qualified surgeon and the surgery is yet to be offered.

For some reassignment surgeries, the waiting list is 70 years long.

Mansell was told all transgendered persons must have a medically-recognised sexual reassignment surgery prior to using the gym.

"How can a gym just be solely women, and what grounds do they accept women on?

"I actually showed her my New Zealand birth certificate, which stated I'm female."

The staffer took a photo of the birth certificate and said the manager would be in touch.

"We're still left behind in the law. People should be aware that transphobia is rampant in New Zealand."

Revive Fitness, despite numerous enquiries, has declined an opportunity to respond to questions.

Reception staff declined to provide a manager's name or provide a contact phone number.

Area manager Cherie Cooper emailed a statement apologising for any harm caused by the policy.

"The policy has been in place for a long time, but we acknowledge that this is no defense, and however unintentional it may have been we accept that it may be hurtful to those who are excluded by it."

Cooper said Revive was urgently looking to engage with local LGBTI+ groups "for guidance and advice to review our policy".

The company would seek to ensure gyms were inclusive for all women, she said.