Berlin welcomes topless female swimmers in victory for activists

[IwantToRetire]

Gender equality campaigners celebrate rule change, which affects indoor and outdoor pools

The decision to change clothing rules around swimming in the German capital was made after two women, including Mies, filed complaints about being thrown out or barred from the city’s pools for refusing to cover up, and demanded the same rights as their male counterparts when bathing “oben-ohne” (topless) at the city’s public pools.

“It is important to understand that not allowing people the same rights because of their gender is not a matter of opinion, but an act of structural sexism. Everyone should have the same opportunity and, above all, freedom of choice, especially when it comes to their own body”.

The German capital’s authorities made clear that the existing rule, which insists that bathing costumes cover the genitals, applies to all visitors, and that anyone can choose whether to wear a full swimsuit or just bottoms at the pools.

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2023/mar/25/berlin-welcomes-topless-female-swimmers-in-victory-for-activists

Water is the only place I could comfortably go topless - my boobs are too heavy when gravity is left to its own devices. I'd try testing the UK's equality legislation myself, except our local swimming pool closed down two years ago.

If I had more respect for men(!) I might!

But the first think I thought on reading this was about the TM that the Guardian used to give lots of space to talk about why transitioning was essentional.

The whole reason seemed to be wanting to go top less on beaches.

What a shame not to have thought maybe the solution to this is to campaign with other women to challenge the male gaze arguement that females breasts are objects for them to ogle and the women should have the same rights as men.

I said this on another thread recently but it just makes me think of Peep Show when Mark gets dragged to a strip club. He says (well, he thinks) something like 'this is what men want, and they shouldn't be allowed to have it'

I really don’t understand this. It’s an own goal.

Why do I feel that most men would love to see more topless women in swimming pools? 😂

I have pretty big boobs and they would 100% get in the way when I'm swimming if they were floating loose.

I think it’s good, I’ve started a thread about this previously, I would much prefer to swim, sauna etc topless. It annoys me that I feel I have to wear a bikini top because it actually makes men ogle more than if you’re topless, it’s that hidden element but with obviously the shape under.
My friend had the police called on her after she tried to use a public sauna in Scotland topless! It’s frigging ridiculous that women can’t go topless any place men can.