Planning a half-term break at Center Parcs? Did you know their communal spa changing rooms are no longer single sex?

[Clymene]

You may have read a story in the papers in October last year where a transwoman called Vicky Hodges went to Center Parcs and wasn't allowed to use the communal women's changing rooms at the Aqua Sana spa but was directed to a private changing room instead. Vicky has not taken any hormones, does not have a GRC and is still a male-bodied person to all intents and purposes.

Article about Vicky and photo: www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/10/30/center-parcs-trans-woman-changing-rooms-equalities-act-victoria-hodges/

Vicky wasn't happy about this and on a thread in FWR confirmed this month that CP has said Vicky is absolutely welcome to walk through the women's communal changing areas and use one of the private changing cubicles (of which there are only 2 or 3).

This is Vicky's post:

"Just a quick update. I can confirm Vicky Hodges and Center Parcs had a very amicable conversation just before Christmas and the issue of changing room access for transgender customers was resolved. Center Parcs confirmed that they do have a private changing cubicle within the Aqua Sana, open plan, female changing room and that Vicky was more than welcome to use it and the changing room as she wishes to. Center Parcs also confirmed they are a fully inclusive organisation. I can also confirm that Vicky has now been to Center Parcs, used the changing room and she had a great weekend with her family.
How do I know all this? Well "GirlOnTheRoof" is Vicky Hodges... 💃🏻🙋🏻‍♀️"

and this is the thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3731052-Center-Parcs-upholding-single-sex-spaces?pg=3

so if you were planning to take your teenage daughter to the spa at half term, you might want to think again.

I'm so sick of this shit. Everyone says there'll be a backlash. When is it coming? I don't think there will be. I think this is how it is now and will remain so I am angered and depressed beyond words at what women and girls are being forced to accept.

Open plan changing rooms are pretty awful anyway. Its odd that its pretty much always now private gyms etc that have them, leisure centres have all cubicles and have done for years. Perhaps the lesson is to go to a cheaper venue like Haven where they have cubicles if you feel that strongly about it?

Tbh it wouldn't bother me.

It bothers me. I'm going in May. Was going to book a spa treatment, not now.

Stompy, are you really ok with a naked male body in a female space? When you're naked as well?

I won't be taking my family to CP until this policy is reversed. If that is never, then I'll never go back.

This is very worrying. I might contact them about it as I was thinking of visiting this year with young children.

Because Vicky is more important.

@Nofun21
If I read OP’s post correctly, this is for the spa only. Children under 16 aren’t permitted in the spa?
Happy to be corrected.

I won't be going there anymore then. Woman and girls have a right to be able to change without males in the same space, no matter how they identify. Centreparcs obviously isn't bothered about safeguarding.

What is the minimum age in the Spa?
The minimum age for access to the Spa is 14 years but any guest under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Spa Day guests must be 18 years or over to make a booking and Spa Break guests must be 21 years or over to make a booking. However, we do have a range of Express treatments that can be enjoyed from 11 years of age, when accompanied by an adult over 18 years of age.

There will be children in the spa.

Why the fuck are companies enabling this shit.
We really do need to vote with our feet.
So that's centre parcs, m and s and david Lloyd on my list.
Any others I need to boycott?

The express treatments take place in the reception area I think. Things like pedicures which don’t involve undressing....but that’s not the point, I know. Just throwing it into the mix.

This isn’t going to end well.

Shall we all email them?

Already have. Awaiting response. Also asking on their Facebook page. No response.

Twitter maybe?

Or maybe ask for clarification on Twitter? So their response becomes public, not a private e-mail.

Well done Vicky. You've scored a little victory there. Shame it actually makes all women, including you, a bit less safe. Erosion of genuinely female only spaces takes away privacy, dignity and boundaries from women.
For everyone who says that they don't mind, maybe stretch your imagination as to why some women want or need spaces without men of any kind in.
I don't think the 'I don't minds' should be allowed to give away someone else's choice to say 'I do mind'

I actually don’t mind once a trans person commits fully and has the op. Before then, use a private changing room, it’s just courtesy not to get a cock out in a room full of women.

A young relation has had a bilateral mastectomy and is planning a trip to Centre parcs spa before she has to have radiotherapy. Ive just shown her the links and she said that she will not now be going as although she is gaining body confidence with other women there is zero chance she is up to possibly exposing herself to a male bodied person. She could hide herself away in a single cubicle but then wouldnt have the help she needs from her friends as she is recently post op.

For myself I wouldnt probably be that bothered as I view communal changing rooms as the depths of hell and would never use one but my relative is of a different viewpoint and sees this as limiting her choices unnecessarily .

Communal changing rooms are bad enough when it's just women in there, I hate having to change in front of complete strangers. Now they are going to let male bodied people waltz on through while women are getting changed

Tbh it wouldn't bother me.

That's nice.

Any thoughts for the women and girls who would be bothered by being faced with a cock and balls in a communal changing room?

That's a very interesting thread. I can see where Vicky was asked why Vicky insisted on using the open plan female changing room after being offered a private changing room, but I can't see Vicky's answer. Did I miss it?

Oh well, forget Centre Parks then! Thanks for letting me know, OP.