Palisades Park, NJ – A well-known Korean spa that requires full nudity in certain areas has revised its rules to let transgender women enter female-only sections after settling a discrimination lawsuit.
King Spa & Sauna confirmed that patrons may now use the facilities corresponding to the gender shown on their official identification, regardless of anatomy or surgical history.
The update follows a legal battle sparked by transgender woman Alexandra Goebert, who accused the Bergen County spa of barring her from the women’s area and questioning her about her body.
Her lawsuit, filed in 2023, alleged that staff asked invasive questions about her genitalia before telling her she could only stay if she wore shorts, a condition not imposed on other guests.
Key Points
- King Spa & Sauna in Palisades Park settled a discrimination lawsuit with transgender woman Alexandra Goebert.
- The spa’s policy now allows guests to access facilities based on the gender listed on their ID, not physical anatomy.
- Customers uncomfortable with the rule may request private accommodations instead of using shared nude spaces.
A complaint turns into a statewide precedent
Court documents show the conflict began when Goebert visited King Spa in 2022 and was initially given a male wristband despite her state-issued ID marking her as female. After being allowed into the women’s section, she said staff interrogated her about whether she still had “male parts.” When she refused to wear shorts, she was told to leave.
The Bergen County Superior Court case accused the spa of violating New Jersey’s anti-discrimination law, which protects individuals based on gender identity and expression.
Settlement brings sweeping internal changes
The parties reached a confidential settlement in August, leading to the policy overhaul. As part of the agreement, King Spa instituted staff training and adopted a written inclusion policy that forbids questioning guests about anatomy or surgery.
The new guidelines also give other patrons the option to request a private spa or withdraw from communal facilities if they are uncomfortable sharing space with transgender individuals.
Traditional spa meets modern legal standards
King Spa, modeled after South Korea’s traditional jimjilbang, separates men and women in nude-only sauna and bath zones. These spaces require guests to be completely unclothed, a custom central to Korean bathhouse culture.
The policy change marks a rare adjustment within the U.S. Korean spa community, where gender-segregated nudity is deeply rooted in cultural norms. Legal experts note the case highlights how state discrimination protections extend to all public accommodations, even those requiring gender separation.
Compliance with state law
New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination mandates that all public venues offer equal access regardless of gender identity. By revising its policy, King Spa has aligned its operations with state requirements and set a local example for similar wellness facilities navigating gender inclusion and privacy concerns.
The updated rules are now in place, ensuring that every visitor is treated according to their legally recognized gender identity.