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)

But why the suspicion of 'queer theory groups' specifically and the assumption they are 'targeting other people's children' without any safeguarding?

This

The prevailing narrative on this thread has been,

'Trans swimming session, great fill your boots, let's see some safeguarding around the kids'.
'Transphobic!'

I'm paraphrasing.

A 'private party' with adults and kids, but the kids parents not allowed? Yeah, nothing wrong with that.....

I'm paraphrasing
Yes, you very clearly are

Why don't you think that females should have their own session?
What is your problem with this?
Why do you think that it's problematic for women who have been raped by men to be able to have space away from male bodied people? What is your problem with this?

Its not an advert aimed at children. It's providing, through a Facebook video, information on the event and also a fundraising drive.

Why don't you think that females should have their own session?
I haven't said anywhere that I don't think women should have their own sessions too, so don't be putting words in my mouth ta

Oh dear

It's an advert for an event that children are being encouraged to attend. Come on, it's wildly inappropriate.

Again, give an example of another group doing this.

But why the suspicion of 'queer theory groups' specifically and the assumption they are 'targeting other people's children' without any safeguarding?

Queer theory is known to have argued for lowering or demolishing of age of consent.

It's all for the blurring of boundaries.

Derrick Jenson is one of the co founders for the deep green resistance

The video is titled ' we need you help to keep our trans swimming service afloat' and does not mention children, let alone encourage them to attend. It's a fundraising drive.

They're clearly targeting children - most groups have a specific target and this is adults interested in sexual identity and sex (going by the posters & their online presence), who've decided to target children for the focus of their swimming sessions. That brings considerable responsibilities - especially safeguarding.
As a lesbian who's spent a lifetime working with children, in safeguarding & sex / relationships education, I'm familiar with how vigilant you need to be to ensure that adults who set themselves up to work with children are suitable to do so. That means rigorous safeguarding and those adults being prepared to demonstrate how they will be vigilant about child safety, understand age appropriate behaviour & protect children. When those adults start objecting to being subject to the same standards that every other adult is subject to, then the red flags start waving.

It would be simple to say , "here's their child safeguarding policy & policy for mixed age swimming groups". The fact that there are none available on their website is a problem. If safeguarding policies aren't easily available and understood, then they're no use. It's basic safeguarding.

As Derrick responds to a heckler that he's a homophobe: "I was accused of homophobia because I'm against pedophila. Who is it who made that connection?"

The women on this thread have said repeatedly that abusers are attracted to charities who advocate for lgbtq children. Like moths to a flame.

We are bigots for being against these abusers? Who is saying that they're trans people?

It's not the individuals it's the lack of effective and water tight safeguards.

Banning parents at private, mixed sex, all age swim sessions is not effective safeguarding.

Yes, it certainly looks like a 'private party' vibe.

Which is great.

But not if you're then inviting minors.

How is it focused on children? The only.mention of under 18s anywhere related to these events I have seen is in the original OP/FB event

'This event is for all ages, but if you're under 18 you'll need to get a consent form signed'.

None of the videos or images associated with the event include children, mention them or use language or images likely to attract them.

This false equivalency argument that my kids go to the pool on their own all the time: You have to book and pay for swim sessions via an app at my local pool. The app is apparently for 17+ (not that that means much) and you need to register a bank account to pay.

You then have to scan the phone code you're given at the pool.

8 yr olds won't be rocking up there on their own. Teens perhaps with parental permission and booking. Definitely not 8 yr olds.

I somehow doubt they'll be rocking up to this event on their own either. Teens perhaps with parental permission and booking

Why do the under 18s need to be included in this private event?

Private adult event where parents are actively banned from being present?

Because queer theorists view 'progression' as something to be achieved through transgression.

Clearly nothing you want anywhere near kids.

This event is for all ages, but if you're under 18 you'll need to get a consent form signed.

In their own words. Once an adult group invites children, then they need safeguarding procedures. No exceptions - no matter how special the group thinks they are. .

Where has anyone, least of all them, said they don't? And here is an example of those safeguarding measures, in their won words... but that's somehow problematic??