Some places are meant to offer calm and comfort, but sometimes a simple visit can spark a much larger conversation. That’s what happened at King Spa in New Jersey, a Korean-style bathhouse where nudity is required in certain areas. One customer’s experience there has now led to major changes.

The issue began in 2022 when Alexandra “Allie” Goebert, a transgender woman, visited the spa with a friend. Although her ID listed her as female, staff first directed her to the men’s locker room. She immediately objected and was briefly allowed into the women’s area—until a manager questioned her and asked about her body.

That moment became the turning point. Goebert said she felt singled out and unsafe, and she insisted the spa was violating New Jersey’s anti-discrimination laws. When she refused to move to the men’s section or wear a swimsuit, she was removed from the women’s area altogether.

Two weeks later, she filed a complaint with the state. The case grew into a legal dispute, with the spa arguing they were trying to respect all guests in a nude facility. Goebert’s legal team said she was misgendered and unfairly denied access.

The matter was set for trial but ended in a settlement. King Spa has now agreed to adopt new gender-inclusive policies, remove sex-segregated spaces, and provide staff training on gender identity. They also reached a confidential agreement compensating Goebert for her distress.

The case highlights how complicated public spaces can become—and how important respect and understanding are when people simply want to feel welcome.