Hampstead Ladies Pond

[Lokilo]

Does anyone know if the woman's pond on Hampstead Heath is open to trans women? I think there was an appeal by orthodox Jewish women, and wondered if anyone can update?

Yes, as far as I remember there's been no successful appeal.
Pretty sure it's still the case that there are three ponds that people with a penis can choose to use, one of which is exclusively for people with a penis only, and there are only two ponds that women can use, non of which are women only.

I haven't been for a while but absolutely loved it. It always felt like a celebration of femaleness and a very safe protected space.

I've been a few times and it is fantastic, and would love to go again. But, I remember that the shower area is communal, isn't it? I can't remember if there are cubicles for changing?

I think with the state of play nowadays I would never take off my swimsuit in any communal shower area. And it is slightly unpleasant to shower in swimsuit after a swim and then going to change in a cubicle. My local pool has moved to this model with a big mixed sex area, with the result that I just don't go swimming anymore (and am getting unfit as a result).

I swam there over twenty five years ago, lots of very elderly ladies swimming gracefully in bathing caps, and young, tanned women lying on the grass chatting. It was a revelation to be outdoors in a woman only space. So sad that it is mixed sex now, or I would take my teenage dds when in London.

It’s women only. It remains the loveliest safe and welcoming space.

I was there last summer.

that was not the case.

my friend and I decided not to go again.

the person who made us uncomfortable was very pleased with themselves...or the whole experience, I guess.

Is the men's pool still closed to women who identify as men?

That's lovely. I assume it's local to you and that you attend frequently so that's a confident report based on your recent experience.

I'd be so happy for this to be true.

Good luck to any trans woman trying to get in. Can guarantee there would be resistance.
There is a mixed pond so anyone can use that and save a whole lot of aggro. I use the mixed myself anyway.

Would there be resistance?
we weren't there when they arrived but I'm pretty sure someone would have told us if there was an issue.

I believe it is still open to transwomen. Perhaps we could stage a MN take over of the mens pond and all temporarily re-identify as male?

Was done before. Complete with a yellow Borat mankini (touch of genious!).

I seem to remember that the men were quite pissed off at first but when they understood they supported their point.

www.feministcurrent.com/2018/05/29/whats-current-police-eject-female-man-friday-protestors-hampstead-heath-mens-swimming-pond/

Love Man Fridays! What a stroke of genius

Is the men's pool still closed to women who identify as men?

I understood the situation to be:

• City of London guidance was for all ponds to be mixed sex (self-ID).
• There were actually bylaws specifiying the single sex ponds (which was why man-friday got ejected) which temporarily protected the ponds because the CoL guidance was unlawful.
• So City of London (mainly the creep Edward Lord) changed the bylaws so that all three ponds are now mixed sex.

Man Friday was aces!

@EmbarrassingHadrosaurus i don’t quite go every day, but as near to it as I can manage.
there are occasionally male workmen on site, but that is always announced (signs, plus shouting when they arrive)

I have a friend with a flat in the area. She's been working away for a long time but they're returning this year and I know she'd been wondering how the Women's Pond was as she used to attend very frequently.

She'll be pleased by your report.

I don't think anyone realised what we saw as they were very slender and wearing a swimming costume.

the person who made us uncomfortable was very pleased with themselves..

If that means what I think it means @EmmaH2022 - grim

I’ve never seen a trans woman there but I don’t know how actively it’s policed.

Max yes. I am obviously choosing my words carefully.

there can only be objections if people realise what's happening.

we just left and decided never to return.

The men most likely got bored after they got what they wanted, which is for any and all female only spaces to be removed.

Is it female only?

its just you said it was woman only with the occasional male workman

It’s not a safe welcoming place if there are male-bodied people there who are displaying their pleasure in being there in a very sex-specific way.

Such behaviour is unacceptable in public, however the person identifies

Last time I went there were loads of topless ladies just relaxing in the sun and a young bloke (maybe he was wearing a blouse? not sure) came in, had a gawk, then left.
Ah progress, dont cha just love it