A group of transgender activists is pushing back against a new policy at Archimedes Banya, a Russian-style, clothing-optional spa in San Francisco.
The controversy began after the bathhouse introduced a monthly “Cultural & religious women’s night” that is open only to women assigned female at birth. According to the spa’s website, the night was created to accommodate clients whose cultural or religious practices require a biologically female-only space.
The spa also offers an “Inclusive women’s night,” which welcomes all women, including transgender women. On all other days, the facility remains open to everyone, regardless of gender identity.
In a statement, the spa defended its decision, saying it aims to balance inclusivity with respect for religious and cultural traditions.
“At Archimedes Banya, we are deeply committed to fostering a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive space for all members of our community. We celebrate the diversity of the Bay Area and strive to create an environment where everyone can relax, restore, and feel supported,” it said.
“To honour both our commitment to inclusivity and the needs of religious and cultural communities who require gender-segregated spaces, we are introducing two distinct women’s nights,” the statement read.
Despite the spa’s explanation, some activists see the policy as exclusionary.
“Offer them (inclusive nights) to us every day. We’re not any different individual,” activist Dakota Rose Austin told CBS News.
Another activist, identified as Jordan, compared the policy to racial discrimination, saying, “If you had a night where you excluded, say, a certain race, that would not fly. Trans-exclusive nights won’t fly either.”
Some activists have vowed to attend the biologically female-only night in protest, while others are planning demonstrations outside the spa until the policy is changed.