Transgender Activist Wins Lawsuit Against Women-Only Korean Spa

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A transgender nonbinary individual named Haven Wilvich filed a complaint with the Washington state Human Rights Commission after being denied entry to the women-only Olympus Spa, a traditional Korean sauna that requires nudity. The spa, owned by devout Christian Koreans Myoon and Sun Lee, argued that allowing biological men in the nude spa would violate their religious freedom and the privacy rights of their female customers. However, the courts ruled in favor of Wilvich, forcing the spa to change its gender policies and allow all self-identified women regardless of anatomy.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing tension between transgender rights and the rights of religious business owners and women seeking private, gender-separated spaces. It raises questions about the limits of anti-discrimination laws and whether they can compel private businesses to violate their own religious and privacy principles.

The details

The Olympus Spa in Washington state is a traditional Korean sauna that separates men and women due to the nudity involved. In 2023, a transgender nonbinary individual named Haven Wilvich, who was assigned male at birth, sought entry to the women-only section of the spa. The spa owners, devout Christian Koreans Myoon and Sun Lee, denied Wilvich entry, citing their religious beliefs and the privacy rights of their female customers. Wilvich then filed a complaint with the Washington state Human Rights Commission, which ruled that the spa's gender policy violated anti-discrimination laws. The spa owners, joined by anonymous female customers, sued the Human Rights Commission, arguing their First Amendment religious freedom and property rights were being violated. However, the courts dismissed the spa's lawsuit, ruling that Wilvich's rights as a transgender individual took precedence.

• In 2023, Haven Wilvich sought entry to the women-only section of the Olympus Spa.
• The spa owners denied Wilvich entry in 2023.
• Wilvich filed a complaint with the Washington state Human Rights Commission in 2023.
• The Human Rights Commission ruled against the spa's gender policy in 2023.
• The spa owners sued the Human Rights Commission in 2023, but their lawsuit was dismissed later that year.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Olympus Spa owners have indicated they will continue to fight the court's ruling, potentially seeking further appeals or legislative changes to protect the rights of religious business owners and the privacy of female customers.