A Seattle women’s spa is forced to open its doors to transgender people who have not yet had vaginal surgery, even though all customers are naked.
The court’s decision was in response to a lawsuit filed by a local trans activist, the New York Post reported.
Olympus spa, on the other hand, defends itself by claiming that the internal policy is “essential for the safety, legal protection and well-being of its customers”.
The traditional Korean spa business has so far accepted trans women who have undergone gender confirmation surgery. Therefore, trans women with breastfeeding penises were not allowed, a discriminatory policy, according to the Washington State Human Rights Commission (WSHRC).
In her ruling, Judge Barbara Jacobs Rothstein recalled the WSHRC’s definition of sexual orientation as “gender identity, self-image, appearance, demeanor or expression that differs from those traditionally associated with the sex assigned to that person at birth was included.
The restaurant’s owner, Myoon Woon Lee, intends to appeal the decision, believing it could have legal and financial ramifications for her business. She therefore fears “that contact of female customers (especially minors) with male genitalia could lead to criminal sanctions for Olympus Spa”.
Ms. Lee also referred to situations where female clients have been exposed to male genitalia. They felt “humiliated and traumatized” before demanding refunds, according to a lawsuit filed in court by the spa’s owner.