A gay sauna in the UK removed a trans man from their premises in his own words: “because of my genitals”.

In an interview with Gay Star News, the 26 year-old trans man told how he visited Sailors Sauna with a friend after finding nothing on their website denoting any concerns about trans customers.

The young man describes himself as “very passable” although he has not yet had bottom surgery, but was told by a friend it wouldn’t be an issue. The pair were allowed entry but upon using the sauna jacuzzi, a customer complained after sighting his genitals and the young man was asked by a member of staff to leave the building.

After protesting, he was informed if he had “tits and a dick” he could have stayed, but since he had a vagina he couldn’t use what was “a male space”. He was refunded his entrance fee and made to leave.

Describing the experience as “humiliating,” he later contacted the magazine who then investigated the occurrence. Upon receiving the complaint, he sauna replied they had feared that allowing a woman entry would result in a loss of their licence as they “are only licensed for men to use the venue.”

The spokesperson continued: “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 customer was given a full refund and we did apologise. We have had confirmation from the council that if someone has a GRC [Gender Recognition Certificate] or ID confirming they are male, we would not be in breach of our licence.”

At the time of the occurrence the young man had indeed shown the staff member his passport but had still been asked to leave.