Adult males can now shower with girls at swimming pools

[TheXXFactor]

Swim England has issued new guidance about trans swimmers - link here. Some of it is sensible- I'm sure trans people can feel self-conscious swimming, so trans-only sessions are a good idea (though of course trans people should be able to use the pool at other times too).

What's disturbing though is the section on Environment, which says that trans people should use whichever changing room they prefer. 85% of men who identify as trans have had no surgery, so this means adult men showering & changing with women and girls. How can this be allowed under child safeguarding rules? And what about all the women who will feel unable to swim if they have to change with men - or whose religion does not allow them to do so?

AIBU to think that everyone's needs & comfort should have been considered?

[EmpressOfJurisfiction]

I see it says that women who don't feel comfortable in the presence of naked adult males will have to be "educated".

[MonaTheMoaner]

YANBU.

In this current climate it's all about appeasing peoples feelings with no need for proof but the general populations feelings on this aren't considered because we're all massive transphobes if we're even remotely critical

[QuiteLikely5]

This is a terrible idea! I don’t want my child anywhere near a naked man after swimming!!!

[Awwlookatmybabyspider]

YANBU. İt seems the only needs that are considered are those of trangenders. As far as rule makers are concerned FucK safe guarding.

[Bluelady]

I suspect women will be voting with their feet and reduced income may bring about a change of mind.

[Marvellousmarge]

Jesus.

As women we really don't count do we? The feelings of 50% of the population has to be second to the feelings of a tiny, tiny minority of men.

If you've got a dick and piss standing up - you're a man. Couldn't give a fuck how you identify. When you've no longer got a dick, we'll talk then.

[Somerford]

I can't understand why this has gained so much traction. I can only judge by my own experience of course but I haven't spoken to a single person in my day to day life who is on board with any of it. Friends and family seem to be unanimously agreed that it's a handful of idiots at the Guardian and on Twitter setting the tone and creating the impression that their bizarre views reflect the consensus. Who the fuck empowered these simpletons and why are we going along with it?

[ShutUpBaz]

IMO If you have a penis you go in the male changing room/toilet/prison etc. If you have a vagina you go in the female changing room/toilet/prison etc.

I don't care what you identify as. Select whichever gender you wish but biology determines which changing room you use. I would not want a man in the female changing rooms and vice versa.

[BestZebbie]

...aren't there already communal showers for men and women together in loads of swimming pools? Granted, because they are communal most people keep their costumes on, but it isn't a totally new paradigm.

[BarbarianMum]

I suspect women will be voting with their feet and reduced income may bring about a change of mind.

Maybe eventually but in the meantime I doubt they'll advertise their great new policy so women/girls are going to be vulnerable and women and girls will have to give up swimming if they won't accept this.

[londonrach]

Its not april 1st is it. The world has become daft!

[PurpleTraitor]

There are no male and female changing areas at the three pools we go to anyway. There are just changing areas. And showers. I feel like I’m missing something.

[taratill]

Honestly how can we meaningfully protest against this?
Regardless of general women's rights this decision effectively stops Muslim women from being able to swim at all doesn't it? It's crazy I don't just want to moan about it, what can I actually do to properly lodge my concern?

[Marvellousmarge]

But Purple traitor - specially built communal changing rooms will be set up in a way that is appropriate for mixed changing . Simply allowing men into women's changing areas is not the same.

[Deshasafraisy]

What percentage of the population is trans? What did they do before? How much will this rule change affect most people?

[sinceyouask]

I can't remember the last time I went to a pool where the showers and changing rooms weren't communal. And most pools offer women only/ men only sessions these days anyway.

[TheXXFactor]

But trans people will be able to go to male or female only sessions, won't they?

[SleepFreeZone]

I think it’s gained traction becwuse 1) most people don’t think it will affect them so haven’t been keeping abreast of how the law is changing and 2) the government is fucking terrified of this whole thing blowing up in their face they are just tiptoeing around it and hoping that bending to the minority won’t puss the majority off and everyone stays happy. Except once the majority actually realises what’s going on it will blow up spectacularly and fuck knows what happens then.

[taratill]

yes but sinceyouask men will now be allowed in women's only sessions by virtue of the fact that they self ID as women. This renders women's only sessions meaningless.

[MonaTheMoaner]

The issue is not that a small percentage of the population that are trans can use this but since all you have to do as a man to be trans in these rules is say "I'm a woman", it opens the door for any men to use the sevices regardless of surgery/hormones or presenting as a woman.

80% of trans women choose not to have surgery or hormone therapy meaning they look like men and often dress like men. To deny a man who just says he's a woman entry would mean discrimination against trans women.

[Basseting]

My dd is 10 and just beginning to start puberty and become body conscious. We swim at 2 diff public pools both of which have mixed cubicles and mixed showers which are right on the side of the pool and very open and easily observed. I don't have an issue with this.

I would have an issue with anyone with a penis coming into 'women only' changing areas - less observable and women only for a reason.

I also have an issue with local High school having 'mixed toilet' cubicles and a 'disabled / trans toilet' (that no one uses!)

[BarbarianMum]

I would have an issue with anyone with a penis coming into 'women only' changing areas - less observable and women only for a reason.

If the law changes you having an "issue with it" will be a hate crime (well if you do/say anything to try and prevent it). Fun times ahead.