Trans Swimming sessions

[DaveDave]

Just saw the below event advertised at my local pool. How come this is ok but we can't have biologically female only swimming sessions? I'm annoyed, not because of the event, but because it seems impossible to have female only swimming without being accused of being transphobic.

"Been hoping for a swimming event that's only for trans, non-binary, and/or intersex people? Well, here it is!

To ensure privacy we have booked an entire public pool so it's just for us! Apart from the lifeguards, the rest of the building will be empty too, so there's no need to worry about which changing room to use or people staring. Whether you want to swim laps, float about, or just hang out, you're very welcome. We want these sessions to be accessible to as many people who need them, so if you need a carer who is cisgender to attend with you they are welcome to come along. Parents/guardians are welcome to come and wait in the changing rooms but will not be allowed in the pool or on the poolside.

VENUE: The venue will be given to you during booking to ensure privacy. Please do not advertise this information. You can arrive 15 minutes prior to our swimming session starting, but please note that if you arrive more than 15 minutes late you may be locked out. There is very little phone reception by the pool so you may not be able to get in touch with anyone to let you into the building.

CHANGING FACILITIES: The changing room is gender neutral, wheelchair accessible, and has individual changing and shower cubicles. Before swimming you'll have 15 mins to get ready, and 30 mins at the end.

AGE RANGE: This event is for all ages, but if you're under 18 you'll need to get a consent form signed. Just let us know when you're booking and we'll send you one to bring filled in on the day. Please bear in mind that we do not currently allow cisgender parents and guardians to be in the pool or on the poolside.

DRESS CODE: As always, genitals covered. If you have [insert word you're comfortable using for your chest/boobs/breast tissue] you'll need to have your chest covered too. A rash vest would be best, but if you don't have one or can't afford one a light weight t-shirt is also acceptable.

BOOKING: To book, or ask any questions, contact [email protected]. If you are disabled and need a cisgender carer to attend with you please let me know during booking.

COST: This event is free to attend but as a charity we welcome donations. You can donate on our website

www.rainbow-project.org/donate/ or there will be a donation bucket available at the event.

(redacted)

There should be more of these sessions, PLUS of course, women only sessions.

So there's separate sessions for trans people organised, and still people are moaning?!
Seems they can't win whatever they do!

Children of any age welcome, but their parents must wait in another room???

What could possibly go wrong with that?

There should also be sessions for all very much older people .....dont mean just over 60s..but in 80s as u dont see them use pools now.You did when i was a kid.Also the end of cash has made it harder.Its so unfair.Trans people seem to expect so much provision for them and anyone who challenges it is transphobic.

Parents/guardians are welcome to come and wait in the changing rooms but will not be allowed in the pool or on the poolside.

and there we have the safeguarding red flag. Under 18’s welcomed, but their parents / guardians are not allowed near the pool. But over 18’s disabled with a carer, carer welcome. What’s the argument for that?

The under 18 sessions should be separate, and with appropriate supervision.

Other than that, I have no issue as long as women can have female only swimming.

But they do not allow separate sessions for women.

and they welcome children, but will not allow parents to accompany them.

The bit about parents is creepy. Presumably this is Self ID, so anyone can attend, so there are advertising an event where vulnerable children and young people may be.

Well as we are all non-binary (don't conform to sex stereotypes) we can all book a place.

How are they going to tell trans from anyone else?

That's why I am irritated, you can't have women only sessions which are so important for many religious women too.

Try being an actual man under 60 you get virtually no special time at the pool. Women/trans/OAP only sessions. It seems the only group you can legally exclude is younger men.

The ´cisgender parents can sit in the changing room’ bit is mad. How do they know the parent is cisgender anyway? They’d be better off going R18 or R18 with 16-18 year olds allowed with signed parental permission slip + noone poolside (or waiting in the changing rooms!) unless a carer for a disabled participant. No minimum age is likely to create issues for them.
And yes I think female sex only pool sessions should be a thing.

It's not being organised by the swimming pool itself though is it? It's a private event where the pool has been booked for exclusive use, so the organisers can invite (or not) who they like.
We have booked our local pool for private Brownie and Guide events several times. It's the same thing.

These sessions should exist alongside women only events, not instead of

Where's the safeguarding for the minor aged children in among the adults? A permission slip isn't going to do anything

I wonder what would happen if an b tried to book the pool for a females-only swim session.

And why are people with DSDs being lumped in with trans and non binary people?

Gosh poor men. They have it so tough in the modern world.

...an organisation tried to...

@KnickerlessParsons true. So could I register a charity for biological women only and hold a swimming session? I might do that. The outrage that will ensue!

An aside-

Why the very specific detail about what to wear to cover any "breast/chest" ? Do people need to wear rash vests or t-shirts to ensure coverage? Seems so over specific?!

Why on earth are parents not allowed poolside on the basis of their gender identity? Who would encourage anyone to sit in a changing room instead of poolside or in the foyer for eg?

I don't gaf if people want to private hire and invite who they like but normal rules of safeguarding and discrimination should apply.

This should also help with the understanding of why other sessions for specific groups should be allowed, facilitated and respected.

Exactly this.

The ridiculous responses to this thread just scream transphobia and are the reason why gender critical women are given such a bad reputation.

Please read the notice properly. An organisation has booked and paid for a private session. Who cares who they invite when it's private?

And parents not being allowed pool side is not creepy. It's for trans or non binary people only. There's lifeguards there so I don't get the issue.

It's a private hire event not public swimming

My local pool has 2 women's only sessions each week (and no men's only)

This.