At Spa Excess, we are committed to creating a welcoming and respectful environment for everyone, including trans men. We understand that every individual’s journey is unique, and we strive to be as inclusive and considerate as possible while also ensuring the comfort of our clientele.
Policy Guidelines for Trans Men:
1. Appearance Requirement:
– Spa Excess is a space specifically designed for gay and bisexual men to explore their sexuality in a comfortable and uninhibited manner. To ensure that everyone feels at ease, we require that individuals who identify as trans men must present a male appearance to enter our facility. We recognize that this is a nuanced issue, but we have found this approach helps maintain the environment that our patrons expect and appreciate.
2. Staff Sensitivity and Respect:
– We understand that being trans can involve significant challenges, and we instruct our staff to approach every interaction with empathy and respect. If a trans man meets our appearance requirement, we welcome him as we would any other patron. No one should feel judged, and our staff is here to facilitate a positive experience for everyone.
3. Visibility of Breasts:
– We welcome trans men, regardless of whether they have had top surgery. Our policy allows visible breasts, as we understand that some cisgender men also have prominent chest tissue, often referred to as “man boobs.” All guests, regardless of gender identity, should feel comfortable.
4. Bottom Surgery Considerations:
– For those who have not had bottom surgery, we require that a towel be worn in all public areas of the facility. To accommodate showering needs, we provide two private showers in the basement, as well as a private shower in our suite, where privacy can be ensured for any guest who prefers it.
Privacy and Safety Measures:
– We do not require guests to provide identification specifying gender. Identification is only used to verify age, ensuring that all patrons are 18 or older.
– Our goal is to create a sanctuary for gay and bisexual men—a space where they can connect, explore their sexuality, and feel truly comfortable in their surroundings. In our 25 years of operation, we have heard firsthand from patrons about how important this safe space is to them.
Why These Guidelines Are in Place?
The decision to limit access to individuals who present as male is based on the need to maintain a space where gay men can freely express their sexual orientation. Many of our patrons find that the presence of bodies perceived as female could disrupt their sense of comfort and the atmosphere of the space. We aim to provide a respectful and affirming experience for all our guests while honoring the needs of our core community.
We recognize that trans men are men, and we are committed to welcoming them as such. Our guidelines reflect a balance between maintaining the specific environment our patrons seek and ensuring trans men who wish to join us feel respected and safe.
Final Thoughts:
We know that this topic is sensitive, and we have tried to create a policy that respects both our trans male patrons and our long-standing community of gay and bisexual men. Our commitment is to inclusion, safety, and the comfort of all who visit Spa Excess.