The Olympus Spa, a women’s wellness sanctuary renowned for its strict policy of compulsory disrobing, recently became embroiled in a legal battle that stirred controversy and ignited debates on transgender rights.
The Judge’s Ruling
A judge’s ruling mandated that the spa admit transgender women, even those who had not undergone gender-affirming bottom surgery after transgender activist Haven Wilvich filed a formal complaint. The case has implications far beyond the spa’s serene confines, delving into issues of inclusivity, cultural traditions, and legal protections.
The Boundaries of Transgender Inclusivity
Haven Wilvich, an outspoken transgender activist, found herself barred from the Olympus Spa. The spa, located on the outskirts of Seattle, strictly enforced a no clothes policy as an integral part of its holistic experience. However, when Wilvich sought access to the spa, she was informed that her lack of gender-affirming bottom surgery rendered her unwelcome.
Legal Action and Response
The spa’s owner, Myoon Woon Lee, and the Spa’s President, Sun Lee, received a formal Notice of Complaint of Discrimination in response to Wilvich’s grievance. Sun Lee, in defense of the spa’s practices, argued that Olympus Spa was a “women’s Korean traditional health spa.”
The Cultural Traditions of Korea
Sun Lee went on to emphasize the allegedly vital importance of maintaining a cisgender women-only policy for the safety, legal protection, and overall well-being of both customers and employees before explaining that the spa’s strict practices were rooted in the cultural traditions of Korean bathhouses.
Sun Lee’s Words
Sun Lee said: “We firmly believe it is essential for the safety, legal protection, and well-being of our customers and employees that we maintain adherence to this adaptation of a females-only rule. We are unwilling to remake the Jjimjilbang given they had worked so hard over many years to build and preserve, simply for the sake of promoting gender neutrality.”
An Inclusivity Program
The Washington State Human Rights Commission (WSHRC) presented a Pre-Finding Settlement, which called for the removal of all references to biological women from the spa’s website and mandated that the spa’s staff undergo an inclusivity program.
The First Amendment
Olympus Spa filed a lawsuit and invoked the First Amendment as a defense for their policy, asserting their right to free expression. In response to this development, the court granted the spa a 30-day window to amend its complaint and refile it.
Haven Wilvich Celebrated
For Wilvich, this represented a substantial victory. She took to social media to celebrate, proudly announcing that she had collaborated with the WSHRC to bring about changes in the spa’s policies to ensure that all women, trans or cis, could access its facilities irrespective of their surgical status or genitalia.
The Case Is Not Unique
The Washington District Court, however, dismissed the spa’s lawsuit and upheld the initial ruling made by the WSHRC. In response, reports indicate that Olympus Spa is planning to appeal the judge’s decision. This case represents the second instance in recent years where a Korean spa has faced significant scrutiny due to its stringent admission policies.
A True LGBTQ+ Advocate
In the aftermath of the controversy, Haven Wilvich disclosed that she had been subjected to a barrage of hateful messages and threats. Her current mission is to collaborate with the WSHRC to safeguard the identities of marginalized community members in public records.
A Complex Situation
News of the ruling was shared across the internet and responses were divided. “This women’s spa is a part of Korean culture. There should be no exposed men’s private parts inside those walls. I am not transphobic. This is about what defines a cultural Korean tradition in a women’s spa and basically the judge ruled that a spa in the Korean tradition cannot exist,” one person wrote.
A Women-Only Space
Others expressed support for trans people but said that women shouldn’t have to see male private parts in spaces for women. Commenters like this often clarified that they’d have no problem with trans women being in women-only spas if they’d had bottom surgery. “I am not transphobic and am very supportive of LGBTQ+ [people]. But do I have the right not to view uninvited p**** around me, regardless of who’s sporting them, men or women? If I wanted to, I’d go to a nudist beach. A spa is to relax and meditate, not to get distracted,” one person said.
Society and Baring All
Others agreed with the ruling. One person said: “At the end of the day, a ***** is just a *****. I think society is really weird about naked bodies and, personally, I’d like it to stop. As a cis woman, I’d like to walk around shirtless if I want to. B**** are just b****. My mindset extends to all genders.”
Cis Men Gave Their Thoughts
Cisgender men tried to understand the situation by comparing it to their own experiences. One individual said: “I’d feel pretty damn uncomfortable seeing a v***** in a man’s locker room. I can only imagine what it’s like to be a woman and see a ***** in the locker room.”
A Potential Solution
Some people tried to find possible solutions that would please both cis women and pre-op transgender women. “Could they not have made a separate area for pre-op trans women? Or would that be worse? Ahhhhh this one is complicated,” one individual said.
Threats Are Never Okay
Others addressed the fact that Wilvich had been receiving threats and condemned those participating in such activity. One person said: “Okay but can we talk about the threats? No matter what your opinion is, that is not okay. Pretty sure the right blew this whole situation up with that intention though.”
The Gender Freedom Train
A mother of a transgender teenager gave her opinion too. She wrote: “I’m mom to a trans teen. We were just discussing this and my kid agreed that this would definitely make people unnecessarily uncomfortable. I’m 100% in support of people presenting however they choose but it’s not okay to expect everyone to come around so quickly and get on the gender freedom train. Whether it’s cultural or personal, some people just don’t want to see a random *****.”
A Mother’s Unconditional Acceptance
The mom continued: “That’s not transphobic. That’s not reductive to genitalia. It’s a fact – some people don’t like it. I’m glad [Wilvich] is finally living her true life, that’s what I hope for my son. However, I don’t expect anyone to outright accept him unconditionally. That’s my job.”
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