Transgender Woman Who Has Not Undergone Gender Reassignment Surgery Allowed to Use Women’s Sauna Area After US Lawsuit

[Financial News] A Korean-style sauna in the United States has agreed, after a lawsuit, to allow transgender women who have not undergone gender reassignment surgery to enter the women-only section.
According to the New York Post and other sources on the 21st (local time), King Spa & Sauna, a large jjimjilbang operated by Koreans in Palisades Park, New Jersey, agreed in August to change its gender-segregated area policy in this way.
In 2022, Alexandra Gobert visited the sauna.
Although Gobert was registered as female on her identification, the sauna reportedly asked her questions such as, "Have you undergone gender reassignment surgery?" and "Do you have male genitalia?"
Gobert, a transgender woman who had not undergone gender reassignment surgery, answered that she still had male genitalia. The sauna then provided her with a men's wristband and directed her to use the men's facilities.
However, Gobert expressed discomfort, stating that she was a woman and found it difficult to use the men's facilities. The sauna suggested she could use the women's area if she wore a swimsuit.
Gobert declined the sauna's proposal and filed a lawsuit.
Ultimately, following the lawsuit, the sauna decided to implement a new policy stating that all customers, regardless of whether they are transgender, may use the gender-segregated area that aligns with their gender identity. The policy also notes that customers should understand and accept that there may be individuals whose bodies do not match typical gender characteristics in those areas.
However, the New York Post reported that it has not yet received a response from the sauna regarding when the new policy was implemented or whether there has been any backlash.
[email protected] Kim Soo-yeon Reporter