AIBU to be upset about changes to women-only swimming ponds?

[Bertiebiscuit]

The BBC (blokes broadcasting corporation) trolling women again - since they now let males in it's not a Ladies' pond any more - so there are 3 swimming ponds, a mixed sex one, a mens'pond......... And another mixed one. How greedy and destructive the TRAs are. Women must have nothing.

They either have to all be mixed sex or they have to have separate sex for males and females. They can't have one for men and not for women, that is discrimination against women. They can't have one for women & transwomen, that is discrimination against men. They can't label them single sex if they are used by both males and females.

Here is the information from Sex Matters if anyone is interested. You can also donate if you want to support the cause.

Am I the only one who thinks, how did it come to this ? Why were businesses so keen.to cater for a tiny majority forgetting about women? I despair
I don't want to see a biolohical man in women's spaces. Simple

It’s come to this because society prioritises men’s wishes over women’s. It’s just basic common or garden misogyny.

I personally wouldn't be happy with it but could cope with swimming alongside trans women the same as any pool. I wouldn't feel unsafe being out in the open. Changing rooms and loos are another matter though.

I have pondered this a lot over the last few years.

I can only conclude that misogyny is very deeply ingrained in our society and any perceived gains in women's standing over the years have been superficial. A huge amount of people (including many women) believe that men's demands are much more important than women's needs, dignity, safety, rights.

Many are very influenced by the narratives being pushed and can't actually think for themselves.

I'd love to know other people's takes.

On this issue, it's not so much about swimming alongside men. As you say, that's pretty standard.

Its the fact that out of 3 ponds ...

Men get access to 3 and have a single sex one to themselves.

Women only get access to 2 and must share both of them with men.

How can anyone argue that is fair?

It’s due to the GRA. If you legislate on it, it will feed through.

Needs repeating often.

I totally agree. This dynamic plays out on this board all the time. Mostly women complaining about men not pulling their weight but carrying on doing it for them anyway. Many women don't see themselves as equal to men.

Yep, the men get the men's, the mixed sex, and the new mixed sex.

Women get thrown out of the men's (and their possessions binned, including car keys, phones, clothes, bags); or they have the two mixed sex ponds.

I’m wondering where the line is. If a male identifying as trans or non binary wants to use the women’s pond, is there a yardstick by which to judge that person’s woman-ness? Is it sufficient to announce the identity, or does there have to be an element of costume? Surgical or medical intervention? Could men sneak into the pond by claiming a trans identity, or is there a safeguard against that?

Do females who identify as trans or nonbinary use the men’s pool?

I think we should be told.

16% of the people who filled this in have never swum in the ponds 25% of them don't live in London (how often are they travelling in to London to use the bathing ponds?).

I was a regular there 15 years ago with lots of other young women who all appreciated it gave us freedom from the male gaze. I haven't been for 6 or 7 years now. None of the women I know go any more because we don't want to have to deal with pervy old men.

There is no hive mind.

This is terrible of course - goes without saying. I'm reading about the Sal Grover latest developments and the whole of Australia is like Hampstead Ladies Pond. Beyond belief.

There is no line. Any man, no matter what he looks like, can use the 'female' facilities, thus making them mixed sex.

Women cannot use the male facilities. They will be thrown out.

If there’s a crowdfunder I’d contribute. It’s the most blatant discrimination on the grounds of (female) sex.

Absolutely it is. You can donate here