Just to add my two cents to the different topics floating around.
First, I think it's good to be informed. If someone feels like they don't care about the political leanings or charitable contributions made by some organization that they frequent, that's fine. If someone else does care, that's fine too. There's nothing wrong with some knowledge and information and then, what you do with it is your business.
I, for one, would never belong to Curves for many of the reasons already discussed but that's my choice. If someone asked me why, I would tell them but I wouldn't think less of them for going there anyway.
Second, back to the gym question. I think whoever suggested checking out the gyms that you are considering by getting a guest pass, is the best idea.
Many people are afraid of who might be there or whether they're too overweight and will be stared at or if the gym is a meat market, but you'll never know for sure unless you check it out (and at the times that you think you might go there).
To generalize all gyms as meat markets doesn't seem fair. My gym is in a downtown business neighbourhood and, while not cheap, is absolutely not a meat market environment. There are people of all shapes and sizes and I would hope that most everyone would feel comfortable there.
If you want somewhere a little more relaxed or with a more varied clientele, then the Y or a local community centre may be a great option. Where I live there are a lot of women only facilities that offer much more than Curves does for the same price.
I'm not putting down Curves. It absolutely reaches a market that other more traditional gyms don't and I think that anything that gets people out there and exercising is great.
Just check out a few places if you can and decide what's the best fit for you.