https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/11/02/gay-sauna-criticised-telling-transgender-man-leave-female/

A gay sauna has found itself in an equality row after asking a transgender man without a penis to leave their nude bath house.

Staff at Sailors Sauna, in east London, told a male patron, who is female by birth, that he could not use their facilities because they did not want to breach their licence, which categorized the hot house as a 'male space.'

The 26-year-old, whose identity is unknown, attempted to use the sauna with a friend on Monday night before another customer informed staff that “a woman was using the venue”.

The transgender man, who is protected from discrimination under the Equality Act 2010, later told an online news website that he was then asked to leave “because of my genitals.”

Gendered Intelligence, a transgender campaign group, criticised the Sauna's decision to eject the customer, saying that “there is no typical trans male body.”

In a statement, Sailors Sauna said: "We are only licensed for men to use the venue.

"I understand that the gentleman was male, however his physical gender was different and as a customer had already stated that a female was using the venue, I explained that I would need to clarify with the council.”

The sauna, which is described online as “sex friendly”, is licensed by Tower Hamlets council in a ‘special treatments’ category, along with massage parlors.

After checking with the council, staff have admitted that they were wrong to remove the male patron and have apologised to him.

However, it is understood that the transgender man does not intend to sue for discrimination, telling Gay Star news: “I feel this is enough education for the sauna to know their laws and to get awareness. Also, don’t want to get a gay space closed down.”

A Tower Hamlets Council spokesman said: “The licensee in this case has sought clarification from the council as to whether our licensing conditions impose any restrictions based on gender identification. They do not.

“We understand the venue has now clarified that transgender men will be welcomed in future.”

Paul Twocock, director of campaigns at the gay rights charity Stonewall, said: “There’s widespread misunderstanding about the legislation on this issue. Trans people’s right to use single-sex spaces that match their gender is already settled in law.

“The 2010 Equality Act clearly protects trans people from being discriminated against when accessing services. We’d encourage local government authorities to take steps to ensure all service providers are clear on how to support trans people.”