THE SPA INDUSTRY IS KNOWN TO BE A WELCOMING and inclusive community . To that end , an ISPA Town Hall in September explored anti-harassment and discrimination policies and training procedures to ensure our transgender and nonbinary guests and employees feel safe and comfortable within the spa . Panelists included Brennan Evans , senior vice-president of operations at Trilogy Spa Holdings ; Jessica Swartley , spa director at The Spa at Spruce Peak ; Catherine Warren , vice-president of strategic partnerships at Arch Amenities Group ; Kristen Eber , owner of The Rosefinch Spa ; and Heidi Smith-Mullen , director of Life in Balance Spa at Miraval Resorts . ISPA Chairman Patrick Huey joined as moderator .

Changes to spas ’ existing policies on transgender guests and employees “ There are a few state-regulated policies that have been helpful ,” Jessica Swartley said .“ In our spa , our single-occupant restrooms are all now unisex . When clients arrive , we give them the opportunity to choose which locker room they feel most comfortable in . We do generally try and separate our member locker rooms from our guest locker rooms as we do have an older demographic of

members that don ’ t necessarily agree with the progressive changes .”

Catherine Warren noted ,“ There have been changes with legislation on state levels with several different states and we have decided to go with the federal government on our own personal policy . When we operate our spas , they are private . How we operate internally on a private level is up to us , and our policy across the board is about inclusiveness and respect with all of our guests .”

Kristen Eber is the owner of a single day spa and so her policies are specifically up to her .“ We are in a very progressive neighborhood ,” said Eber . “ From the time I opened my doors , it ’ s always been an inclusive atmosphere . We ’ ve made some subtle changes on our menu and website to ensure everyone feels comfortable . Our services are non-gendered , even our pre-natal services : We speak to the pregnant body , not the pregnant mother . We ’ ve also put our pronouns on our website ,

44 PULSE n NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2023