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Original poster

Leisure centre call police on one woman with a hand sewn #redflag banner

110 replies

WhoopsINameChangedAgain · 28/09/2025 09:45

On Saturday 27 September 2025, in a leafy suburb of Newcastle upon Tyne, one lone woman protested the recent decision to change the leisure centre single sex changing rooms into one mixed sex area with no changes to the changing cubicles.

Despite the peacefulness of the protest, and considerable positive engagement from service users who stopped to chat to her, the staff called the police.

Thankfully the officer was rightly not concerned and happy for her to continue her peaceful protest.

https://x.com/wrn_neandnyorks/status/1972197438363713594?s=46&t=A2fpFNgDRyXF2d6ye97wEA

Pics for those not on twitter; police officer can be seen through doorway behind her.

Leisure centre call police on one woman with a hand sewn #redflag banner
Leisure centre call police on one woman with a hand sewn #redflag banner
OP posts:
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11
OnlyFrench · 28/09/2025 17:36

@MrsM1gginswell done

SaratogaFilly · 28/09/2025 17:34

MrsM1ggins · 28/09/2025 12:24

Greetings from the flag bearer Grin. I understand that they used to have separate M/F changing rooms but they used the M space to extend the gym and made the F mixed sex. We did manage to speak to a member of staff while we were there (no manager on site) and pointed out that they have created a detriment to women (indirect sex discrimination) and also to women of certain faiths (indirect discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief). Planning to pop in during the week to speak to the manager. I've separately FOId the council for the equality assessment performed before the change and they don't have it - currently trying to see if one was done but I'll not be surprised if it wasn't or if it only considers SOME protected characteristics and ignores others entirely.

Well done & thank you!

OswaldCobblepot · 28/09/2025 17:28

@DrPrunesqualer if so, that's shocking and yet at the same time not particularly surprising.

DrPrunesqualer · 28/09/2025 16:56

Seems they took note of this guys complaint about no men’s changing and just mixed and women’s ss space. That’s was 5 months ago.

So in response they got rid of the women’s 😳

heres his trip advisor comment and their response

Leisure centre call police on one woman with a hand sewn #redflag banner
Leisure centre call police on one woman with a hand sewn #redflag banner
RowingGeek · 28/09/2025 16:54

Women need to keep up the pressure. Perverts LOVE mixed-sex changing rooms. Remember the two men who were jailed for being in possession of 6,000 images of women and girls taken in changing rooms? They could only do that because pools have given up protecting our single-sex space.

Leisure centre call police on one woman with a hand sewn #redflag banner
MrsM1ggins · 28/09/2025 16:31

It seems strange to me that they got the toilets wrong. I haven't used the loos, so maybe they are universal? But if they are, why are there sinks just outside the toilet cubicles?

Will try to check tomorrow when I go in to see the manager.

DrPrunesqualer · 28/09/2025 16:08

OswaldCobblepot · 28/09/2025 16:07

@MrsM1ggins Agree. I was under the impression that for mixed sex toilet areas there has to be a sink in the toilet cubicle itself.

Yes there does

OswaldCobblepot · 28/09/2025 16:07

@MrsM1ggins Agree. I was under the impression that for mixed sex toilet areas there has to be a sink in the toilet cubicle itself.

MrsM1ggins · 28/09/2025 16:01

OswaldCobblepot · 28/09/2025 15:49

@MrsM1ggins What's the set up in this changing area? Is it individual cubicles off a communal area? Are the cubicles floor to ceiling? (Not saying I'd be ok with it if they are, just want to understand the set up.)

Yes, cubicles off a common area. Cubicles ARE NOT suitable to prevent voyeurism/ filming and the toilet cubicles are also in the communal area.

Imagine you go to the loo and get.blood on your hands. You have to walk to the sinks in the communal mixed sex space to wash them.

MrsM1ggins · 28/09/2025 15:49

Adopted Geordie SinnerBoy.

I think they're breaking the law, but they would no doubt say they're not. Ultimately they need.to be forced to chamge.

OswaldCobblepot · 28/09/2025 15:49

@MrsM1ggins What's the set up in this changing area? Is it individual cubicles off a communal area? Are the cubicles floor to ceiling? (Not saying I'd be ok with it if they are, just want to understand the set up.)

Owly11 · 28/09/2025 15:43

Isn’t it the leisure centre that are breaking the law. No way on earth would I be going to a leisure centre with mixed sex changing rooms. It’s appalling. Well done for standing up for women’s legal rights.

SinnerBoy · 28/09/2025 15:29

Wahey! Another Geordie!

LivelyFinch · 28/09/2025 14:45

You are a legend. I'm local to the pool and often walk past it, if I ever see you I'll buy you a drink.

Original poster
WhoopsINameChangedAgain · 28/09/2025 14:25

So clearly not unusual.

OP posts:
Original poster
WhoopsINameChangedAgain · 28/09/2025 14:24

SinnerBoy · 28/09/2025 13:15

WhoopsINameChangedAgain

A colleague was subjected to voyerism at another local pool with a changing village, which did go to court - mainly as she was brave enough to immediately report it and also as the staff there know it happens, and often by who, but struggle to get the evidence. So were determined to make sure he was convicted. It turned out it was not his first offence.

Was that Waves, by any chance? Earlier this year, it was all round my daughter's school.

No, killingworth, around 8 years ago

OP posts:
MrsM1ggins · 28/09/2025 14:18

Honestly, I saw the story of Robert Morgan and Adam Dennis last year and that flipped a switch for me. I don't want to hear about a roving gang of perverts filming thousands of girls getting changed ever again, especially if there's anything I can do to stop it happening. The councils and operators need to understand that what they're doing is wrong and they need to make it right. Right now. I'm fortunate to be in a position where I'm 'uncancellable' (and built like a brick shithouse so hard to intimidate) so I'm able to kick up a fuss. Before anyone asks, I'm not JKR Halo

LadyBracknellsHandbagg · 28/09/2025 14:12

MrsM1ggins · 28/09/2025 12:24

Greetings from the flag bearer Grin. I understand that they used to have separate M/F changing rooms but they used the M space to extend the gym and made the F mixed sex. We did manage to speak to a member of staff while we were there (no manager on site) and pointed out that they have created a detriment to women (indirect sex discrimination) and also to women of certain faiths (indirect discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief). Planning to pop in during the week to speak to the manager. I've separately FOId the council for the equality assessment performed before the change and they don't have it - currently trying to see if one was done but I'll not be surprised if it wasn't or if it only considers SOME protected characteristics and ignores others entirely.

Thank you for your sterling work, it’s much appreciated 💐

MrsM1ggins · 28/09/2025 13:46

Gosforth Leisure centre on regent farm rd

SinnerBoy · 28/09/2025 13:17

MrsM1ggins

Greetings from the flag bearer

Is it Regent Centre pool? I can't really make it out, I've not been up for years.

SinnerBoy · 28/09/2025 13:15

WhoopsINameChangedAgain

A colleague was subjected to voyerism at another local pool with a changing village, which did go to court - mainly as she was brave enough to immediately report it and also as the staff there know it happens, and often by who, but struggle to get the evidence. So were determined to make sure he was convicted. It turned out it was not his first offence.

Was that Waves, by any chance? Earlier this year, it was all round my daughter's school.

Pianoaholic · 28/09/2025 12:48

Well done.
I am about to go swimming at my 'better ' leisure centre.
There is a large mixed changing area, there used to be 2 single sex changing rooms.
They do, however, have a female changing area for disabled clients. On the door it says 'not all disabilities are visible '.
I use that changing area, as do most women and girls as far as I can see.

LlynTegid · 28/09/2025 12:43

If run or let by the local authority it is malpractice as well as indirect discrimination. Or to be more direct, racism.

FortheloveofPetethePlumber · 28/09/2025 12:33

Well done that woman!

If places are going to break the law in favour of men over women's legal rights they need to be open and clear about it, and not pretend that women's spaces are women only when they are not.

Have the guts to own it, and good luck with your breaking the law in court.

Thelnebriati · 28/09/2025 12:25

Please keep us updated, you legend!