1. Please state whether you agree or disagree with the following options for the future operation of the Highgate Men’s Pond and the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond?
1(a) They should be strictly single-sex facilities - Under this option the Highgate Men’s Pond would only be accessible to biological men and the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond would only be accessible to biological women.
Answer: Strongly agree.
Comments: There are three ponds, one of which is mixed sex. Anybody who does not feel comfortable using the pond which corresponds to their own sex, or who wishes to swim with someone of the opposite sex, is free to use the mixed sex pond. The single sex ponds are the only options which exist for people who, for very good reasons, are unable to swim with members of the opposite sex. This includes women from religious minorities and survivors of sex based violence.
1(b) They should continue to be trans-inclusive spaces as currently operated - Under this option the Highgate Men’s Pond would be accessible to all biological men and trans men and the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond would be accessible to all biological women and trans women as at present.
Answer: Strongly disagree.
Comments: I disagree for two reasons. Firstly, as previously stated, there is also a mixed sex pond which is completely trans inclusive. There is already a perfectly acceptable alternative for trans people. Secondly, the law requires that women-only and men-only spaces are actually single sex. This was confirmed by the Supreme Court judgment in April. I do not understand why you think the law does not apply to you.
1(c) They should be trans-inclusive spaces based on how people have decided to live their lives Under this option the Highgate Men’s Pond would only be accessible to people who have decided to live their lives as men (including trans men but excluding trans women) and the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond would only be accessible to people who have decided to live their lives as women (including trans women but excluding trans men).
Answer: Strongly disagree.
Comments: Please see answers for 1(b).
1(d) They should be trans-inclusive spaces, but the communal changing rooms and toilets should not - Under this option trans men would have access to the Highgate Men’s Pond and trans women would have access to the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond and Meadow, but would be required to use the separate accessible toilet, shower and changing room at each facility.
Answer: Strongly disagree.
Comments: Please see answer to 1(b).
If you are genuinely committed to trans inclusion you should install some unisex, fully enclosed changing and showering facilities at the mixed sex pond, rather than breaking the law by allowing people to use facilities for members of the opposite sex or reducing the number of facilities available for disabled people by allowing able bodied people to use them.
In short, if you actually care about trans people, put your money where your mouth is and actually spend some on individual-user showers and changing facilities for them.
1(e) A hybrid approach where they are trans-inclusive spaces at stated times but are operated as strictly single-sex facilities at other times - Under this option, the Highgate Men’s Pond and the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond would continue to be trans-inclusive spaces at certain specified times, but there would be other advertised sessions/times when these facilities would be operated as strictly single-sex spaces.
Answer: Strongly disagree.
Comments: Please see answer to 1(b). You are not above the law. You need to comply with the Equality Act, which requires women-only and men-only spaces to be single sex. This is not optional and you can no longer plead ignorance.
1(f) They should be mixed-sex spaces - Under this option both the Highgate Men’s Pond and the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond would be accessible to everyone regardless of sex or gender. The City of London Corporation does not currently favour this option, as it is believed that it would be unpopular with most users, due to the unique nature and historic significance of these Bathing Ponds. However, it has been included as an option for completeness and to evaluate support for it. This will be considered alongside other options.
Answer: Strongly disagree.
Comments: What would be the point of this option? Then you would have three mixed sex ponds and people who require a single sex option would have nowhere to go.
1(g) Are there any other options that you think we should be considering? If so, please tell us about them below.
The only option you should be considering is complying with the law. I am not sure what the point of this consultation is. You should be complying with the law even if most respondents to the consultation are advising you to break it.
2. If you have any other comments relating to this consultation, or access to the Hampstead Heath Bathing Ponds, or about how these proposals for the Highgate Men’s Pond and the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond might affect you, please provide them below.
The City of London Corporation is funded by taxpayers. It is there to serve the public, not advance the political agendas of people like Edward Lord (they/them), who will not be the one paying the legal costs when you inevitably lose in court.
Then on the final pages I answered "gender is sexist, imaginary nonsense" to the gender identity question, and "none of your business" to the sexual orientation question.