A group of transgender activists have vowed to try and crash a “women’s night” at a San Francisco bathhouse after the spa owners introduced one session a month where only biologically-born females can go nude.
Archimedes Banya — a clothing-optional Russian spa — created a “Cultural & Religious Women’s Night” specifically to cater to clients who “observe practices requiring a female-only environment based on sex assigned at birth,” according to its website.
The bathhouse runs another night — dubbed “Inclusive Women’s Night” — that is open to all females, including trans women.
Transgender activists protesting outside of Archimedes Banya spa in San Francisco. CBS News
The San Francisco spa introuded a “Cultural & Religious Women’s Night” that only allows biologically-born women to go nude. San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images
And on all other days, the spa is open “to everyone.”
“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,” the spa said in a statement.
“To honor 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.”
But activists were quick to accuse the spa owners of enacting anti-trans and exclusionary policies — with some vowing to still try and attend the night set aside for those who may adhere to religious or cultural rules.
“Offer them to us every day. We’re not any different individuals,” Dakota Rose Austin told CBS News.
“That response is really discriminatory when you think about it because if you had a night where you excluded, say a certain race, that would not fly and we’re just saying, trans exclusive nights won’t fly,” another activist, only identified as Jordan, added of the spa’s designated nights.
An activist identified as Jordan compared the spa’s “women’s night” to discriminating against specific races. CBS News
The bathhouse has a monthly “Inclusive Women’s Night” that is open to trans women. San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images
The activists have vowed to picket outside the spa unless the owners allow transgender women every night of the week.
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source link
