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)

If I want to know more about an event or have questions about something my DC want to attend with or without me - and has included swimming at private events - I’d contact the organisers. Why don’t those on here who have concerns do that rather than speculating?

You can learn a lot about a charity by searching on the Charity Commission website. This includes their mission statement/charitable objectives (might be called something different in N. Ireland). Their FB page covers quite a lot including domestic abuse, mental health and housing and it’s not just about safe sex and HIV awareness which of course is always to be applauded. The video was clearly to try to raise funds - always a struggle for charities.

The comments do absolutely encourage under 18s to attend.

The video with the posters about 'oral sex', 'lubrication' and 'condoms'? That video is the one trying to raise funds for 'all ages' swimming sessions.

The comments do absolutely encourage under 18s to attend.

But their parents can't be on poolside.

Key point.

Loophole to be exploited.

In response to a query as to whether u18s could attend.

Why don't you put your mind at ease and contact them so they can reassure you of their safeguarding measures to address the loopholes you have identified.

Exactly. This organisation was offering 'all ages' sessions, and advertised them with a video featuring posters about various sex acts/sexually related issues.

You think this is fine?

I do not have an issue with the fundraising video they posted on Facebook, no.

You can keep calling it an advert and imply it is aimed at children, but that doesn't make it so.. it is clearing a video aimed at raising funds to continue to be able to provide the swim sessions.

Well, that's honest. Anybody else going to stick up for the sexy posters?

it’s not just about safe sex and HIV awareness which of course is always to be applauded.

Five year olds don't need to be learning about safe sex.

How are we talking about 5 year olds now?!

Who is teaching 5 year old about safe sex?

Christ, got to the end of the fb live and Fern details all about binding and guidance and then offers callers who want more info a "private chat" with Fern about binding if you call the charity.

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

Exactly. Queer theory is about smashing boundaries.

Well, doesn't that sound familiar, wasn't it mermaids that were all chest binders and private chats and look how that went/is going

Safeguarding is more than a consent form - as someone allegedly with a role in safeguarding should know. As recent events in the charity sector demonstrate - lack of safeguarding is a significant flaw in numerous organisations from Oxfam to mermaids.
This is what a good safeguarding policy looks like for an organisation that works with children and adults. On their website alongside confidentiality & privacy policies.

beat.contentfiles.net/media/documents/safeguarding-children-and-vulnerable-adults.pdf

If this charity extends its work to children - whether it's for education, consciousness raising or to enable children to meet with adults - then they need a child safeguarding policy. #nodebate

If an event is for 'all ages' then it obviously includes 5 year olds.

If there are age restrictions then it can't be 'all ages'.

I agree that it would be ludicrous to suggest these sessions are suitable for 5 year olds. Which is why they should aim them at suitable ages.

Exactly, where on earth has that come from?!
It's to do with a trans swimming session how?!
How have we suddenly switched to "teaching 5year olds about sex?!

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

Women are all female then, now? So given that you've said before that you don't deny the existence of biological sex, and know that you can't change sex, that's interesting.

Stop talking sense Arabellla it's most unbecoming.

Plus 340 signatures left to go

I was responding to the poster upthread who said that 'safe sex' lessons are always to be applauded.

In the context of a group that works with 'all ages', I am questioning that.

5 year olds are not allowed to be unsupervised in the water, that's always been the case as far as I'm aware.

Dear God, where did I suggest otherwise? And where did I say I had any role in safeguarding? I did however indicate that I felt the charity would be wise to have their safeguarding policy on their website.

So really the only differmece between what you are saying and I am.saying... is that the fact that it isn't on the site does not necessarily mean it doesn't exist. You are assuming it doesn't.