Ladies Only Swimming?

[mushroom25]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5223641/Hampstead-ladies-say-swimming-pond-not-gender-fluid.html

since it's becoming increasingly accepted that gender is less about chromosomes, appearance or reproductive ability but more a matter of state of mind not necessarily requiring reassignment intervention (and the gender recognition act 2004 is likely to be amended to reflect this), are the "X-X" denizens of the Kenwood Ladies Pond Association being a tad unreasonable?

[jno]

perhaps they could just wait till they've finished their transition? There's a mixed pond they can use, so they're not being refused the opportunity to take a dip.

[Gromit]

They should all just go and jump in a lake.

The concept of a women only pond (or a men only pond) is totally unacceptable. This isn’t Saudi Arabia, it is Britain in the 21st century.

[maggiebee]

Gromit, there are many women who have had mastectomies and would certainly rather swim at an all women session. Others, for religious reasons, feel the same.

[ToraToraTora]

no the last thing they want is a load of geezers swimming with them.
jno: "perhaps they could just wait till they've finished their transition?" - you mean they have a way of converting every cell individually?

[Gromit]

I do not give a toss if religious crackpots cannot integrate.

I don’t really get your point about women who have had mastectomies. I don’t think this is topless bathing. Bizarre.

[Old_Geezer]

Well it's sexist having a females only pond anyway. But gender has nothing to do with how the conscious mind feels it wishes to be, so hardly surprising there's objections when rules are broken and excuses made to try to justify it.

[ichkeria]

I don’t think they’re being unreasonable.
Having a ladies only pool is no more sexist than having ladies only changing. I’m a bloke but I 100% understand why a ladies only establishment like that has a unique character that people who use it care to preserve.

[pixie374]

It's being able to relax in a non-threatening situation... men, especially those who believe they relate as women... should be able to understand that. Why would they want others to feel uncomfortable anyway?

[emmie]

there is a men only swimming area i believe, what's the difference...

[maggiebee]

No, not unreasonable. Men only golf clubs, gentlemen's clubs etc spring to mind. At least the ladies have a genuine reason for wanting a women only zone. What excuse to the men have?

[douglas9401]

Perhaps, Maggie, they need a little respite from wimmin and their strident calls for it to be all about them. :)

[pixie374]

It's always been the other way round, doug. That's why they want an escape :-)

[jno]

Gromit, it's topless if the denizens prefer; that's the point of having the lake. And the point of the objections is that it appears some of the men claiming to be in transition are nothing of the sort.

[pixie374]

Even if they are... it makes no difference to the reality.

[Islay]

This woman is trying to change her life and yes she should be able to swim in the women only pond.

[Baldric]

///it's sexist having a females only pond///

actually reading the article a reveals

///despite there being a men’s and a mixed pond available to use on the Heath.///

Didn't notice any criticism of them.

[douglas9401]

Seems there's genuine equality after all then, Pixie. :)

[pixie374]

:-). There are three choices then. He should use the mixed pond. The clue is in the name...

[douglas9401]

'This woman is trying to change her life...'

Surely a man trying to change his.

[Old_Geezer]

Because it's not the central issue of the story, Baldric. Should I criticise the EU, and war, and litterlouts, and ... here too ?