Topics involving transgender people have long been the subject of intense debate. Beyond the usual controversies surrounding bathrooms, another incident in Washington has sparked new discussions about the boundaries of acceptance. This time, it centers around a female-only nude spa. The issue began when Haven Wilvich, a nonbinary trans woman, filed a complaint with the Washington State Human Rights Commission after being denied service at Olympus Spa because she still had male genitalia.
The spa offers full-body massages and scrubs that require clients to be nude, including in the communal pool area, so it has traditionally served only women. It is worth noting that the spa does accept transgender women who have undergone surgery. In response to the complaint, Olympus Spa argued that being required to accommodate someone with male genitalia conflicted with their Christian beliefs about modesty and privacy and infringed on their First Amendment rights.
The court, however, did not side with the business. It ruled that their First Amendment arguments could not be used to justify denying service under Washington’s anti-discrimination laws.
The incident involving the trans woman and the spa business in Washington also sparked widespread debate online. Many users were surprised that the court ruled against the business. One commenter wrote, “I expect the Supreme Court to reverse this next June.” Others expressed sympathy for the spa owners, arguing that it was reasonable for them to be concerned about admitting individuals with male genitalia into a nude space meant for women.
Some pointed out that while being transgender is not inherently an issue, being unexpectedly exposed to male genitalia in a setting advertised as female-only could be distressing for some clients. As one user put it, “I’m fine with trans women in the spa. Am I allowed to say it would be traumatic to see a dick in the spa? Just saying. I respect everyone’s rights, but it’s also a women’s spa where nudity is required.”
One Reddit user questioned why the business didn’t simply convert into a private club to uphold its policies regarding trans clients. They pointed out that trying to fight the case in court with such shaky arguments wouldn’t do the spa any favors. However, another user responded by explaining that becoming a private club isn’t that simple. The designation comes with strict legal requirements and isn’t something a business can just apply for and instantly receive.
Some pointed out that the Washington spa made a critical mistake by basing its argument on the First Amendment. One user remarked, “Feels like all they had to do was clarify that their ban on men (which no one seems to have a problem with) is based on sex, not gender.”
