A New Jersey spa must allow biological men into women-only spaces according to a recent ruling from a judge. King Spa in Palisades Park was sued by a transgender woman, Alexandra Goebert, a biological man, when it refused to serve him in female-only facilities in 2022.  According to court documents, Goebert still has male anatomy. Goebert was initially allowed into the female-only spaces, but when one of the workers at the spa noted he still had male anatomy, he was stopped. Goebert claimed he would feel uncomfortable in the men’s section because of identifying as a woman and refused the spa’s offer to let him into the women’s area if he agreed to wear shorts.

Superior Court Judge Thomas A. Sarlo ordered that the spa could not discriminate based on “sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.” “It is unlawful and violates company policy to discriminate in any way against a client because of the client’s actual or perceived gender identity,” according to the consent. The order stated that “Gender identity as used in this policy is a person’s internal sense of being male, female or any other gender, regardless of physical characteristics or appearance.”

The spa has now changed its policy to permit transwomen to use the women’s locker room. Any person uncomfortable sharing the space with someone with male anatomy can either request a private spa. The spa has segregated areas for men and women because certain sections of the spa do not permit any clothing. Goebert had attended the spa on previous occasions when he identified as a man and had been a repeat customer. “They indicated that the individual could certainly use the facilities, but not in the female nude area,” Paul Faugno, the spa’s attorney, said in a statement. The spa’s attorneys argued that Goebert had not been denied access, just to female nude spaces.

Conservatives slammed the ruling online. “A New Jersey spa was recently FORCED to allow males to invade the female section after they were SUED by Alexandra Goebert, a man pretending to be a woman,” wrote Libs of TikTok. “Clients will now be able to use the facility that aligns with their ‘gender identity’ instead of their sex. Men are now allowed to display their genitals in front of women. DISGUSTING.” “Ladies, STOP Patronizing these places! Don’t pay extra for a private room. (Spa makes more money.) Just stop going!” wrote another. “Don’t give them a dime! They will eventually fight for you!”