Hampstead Heath Women's Pond

[Gacapa]

Hampstead Heath ladies say swimming pond is not gender fluid

dailym.ai/2El0eLA

Here we go...

[whoputthecatout]

As there is a choice of men's, mixed or women's pools it's pretty clear that this is simply yet another validation move. (Or they simply like pissing off women, which I believe, is quite a male characteristic).

[Ohyesiam]

It's not for rich white women. I went there all summer as a student nurse.

[Tollygunge]

I haven’t read this thread but Swimming naked there was one of the great pleasures when I first moved to London. There is a mixed pond and a gents only.

[Tollygunge]

And it’s not for rich white women only!

[Batfurger]

So angry.

You know what, I’m a rich white woman and I’ve never been there. Don’t want to go. Think swimming in a pond is bizarre.

This however is a hill I would fucking die on so tell me who I can give some money to to stop this fucking male entitlement in its tracks.

Seriously. A barrister or someone.

I’m raging at this latest instalment of male fucking cuntishness after a “festive season” of more men killing women. This has pissed me the fuck off.

Deep breathing exercises. ***

[Tollygunge]

IM also raging about this!

[nauticant]

This was discussed in the newspaper review part of Broadcasting House on Radio 4 this morning. The reviewing panel was Helen Pidd (North of England editor of the Guardian) and two blokes.

Helen Pidd said that since these transwomen had been through Hell and had had to make enormous sacrifices then it would be very mean for them not to get their way. The host, Paddy O'Connell, mentioned that according to Julie Bindel, the transwomen could well be self-IDing intact men, and then asked the two blokes to comment. Both effectively said "this is too complicated for me to comment on, I'm saying nothing". I have never heard media types invited on a media show to comment then to say that they'd prefer not to when it was their turn.

[Hidingtonothing]

fantastic post.

[CunningOperative]

Aww, if we are doing a mass mumsnet swim at the men's pond I'm certainly in.
We don't even have to wear trunks I guess, regular swimming costume will do because we only 'started the process'.

[splendide]

I swam there loads one year when I was a poor student. Amazing place, this makes me really sad.

[Gacapa]

I've never been. But I read about it a few years ago and thought it was such a brilliant sounding place. Almost enchanting. It's been a sanctuary for women, for all kinds of reasons, for such a long time.

I thought about it recently and just knew it was only a matter of time.

I feel the usual outrage and anger at yet another space being ruined. But also incredibly sad. Misery is being heaped upon us. A national disgrace.

I'm not rich, by any means. But I'd be willing to starve if needs be, to get to London and be part of some kind of protest.

[guardianfree]

Here you are @Batfurger
This website is devoted to challenging what is happening. This is an excellent summary of what has happened this year - and they have a donation.

www.transgendertrend.com/2017-round-up-happy-new-year

[BlackBetha]

I am in London and would happily protest this too. I have zero interest in outdoor swimming (not in a chilly pond in the UK anyway, nothing would induce me to strip off and jump in there!) but women's spaces deserve protecting whether I personally want to use them or not.

[CertainHalfDesertedStreets]

I'm in the men's pond in my bikini as a protest in a heartbeat.

In June though right?

[DoctorTwo]

you know what I think would help? A group of male TERFs just dressing up in bikinis and going to the women's pond - obviously having forewarned users in advance. The press and public might actually take notice of that. If you could get say 20 men to go and say "well I've started the process" then the press would ask "what does that mean" and it would get attention.

I'd be up for that, even if it means showing off my skinny body, it'd be a great way to not only protest, but show solidarity and hopefully make people laugh.

[irretating]

I'm in the men's pond in my bikini as a protest in a heartbeat.

This should happen, we should make this happen.

[QuentinSummers]

Could do both. Femme non binary AFAB feeling like a man that day use the men's. Butch non binary AMAB feeling like a woman that day use the womens.
I think we should wear the apparel of the gender identity we associate with that day.
Would be great fun and make a point (we need men TERFS to help though!)

[Bloodybridget]

The women's pond is a wonderful place where we can lie topless on the lawns without being ogled by men and boys. Women of all ages and body shapes go to swim and sunbath and socialise. It's outrageous to allow any bloke who says he's transitioning to go there.

[VivaLeBeaver]

I’d be up for a swim in the men’s pond wearing bikini bottoms only!

[Backingvocals]

This gives the lie to the whole thing I think. This is about auto erotic validation for men. These men are safe in the men’s pool (it’s fairly liberal shall we say ....). They are also safe in the mixed pool. But that doesn’t give them the erotic thrill of masquerading as a woman among women.

[irretating]

Would be great fun and make a point (we need men TERFS to help though!)

The husband is up for it.

[EliseC1965]

I’d be up for it. Celebrate the June equinox in the Men’s pond. Lol.

[EliseC1965]

*but my bikini days are long gone 😂

[TheXXFactor]

Love the idea of the bikini protest. In the meantime, can we please all email the City of London Corporation to protest - www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/contact-us/Pages/contact-us-form.aspx?contact=1

Questions to ask might include: what impact assessment have they done of the effect on Muslim & orthodox Jewish women? Who are they defining as women? Etc etc

[TimbuktuTimbuktu]

Done thank you @TheXXFactor