New upgrades to changing, showering and toilet facilities will also be implemented
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE BY GETTY IMAGES/CANVA
Hampstead Heath’s bathing ponds have confirmed that they will remain trans-inclusive. The announcement also stated that the bathing ponds will be implementing new upgrades.
The bathing ponds became an epicentre for debates around trans inclusion following the UK Supreme Court ruling last year. Under this ruling, the terms “sex” under equalities laws would refer only to biological sex. Hampstead Heath’s bathing ponds ran a consultation last year which received more than 38,000 responses, with an overwhelming majority supporting the existing trans-inclusive arrangements.
Councillors sitting on the City of London Corporation’s Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee have approved recommendations that will continue existing access arrangements for trans people to the ponds. The corporation said trans-inclusive access has been the case since at least 2017, and has been consistent with the previous interpretation of the Equality Act 2010. A final decision is due to be made on 4 June.
Trans+ Solidarity Alliance director, Alexandra Parmar-Yee, said: “This is great news for the ponds but it’s ridiculous that they are going to inevitably have to spend public money defending their inclusive choice against well-funded lawfare. It’s on this Labour government to ensure a coherent legal framework that protects inclusive spaces like this more clearly. So far, they aren’t delivering – and services providers are caught in the legal crossfire.”
This new announcement has also included a series of improvements that will be made to the three bathing ponds, including upgrades to changing, showering and toilet facilities at a cost of up to £1 million.
Love media made by and for LGBTQIA+ women and gender diverse people? Then you’ll love DIVA. We’ve been spotlighting the community for over 30 years. Here’s how you can get behind queer media and keep us going for another generation: linkin.bio/ig-divamagazine
Did you know that DIVA has now become a charity? Our magazine is published by the DIVA Charitable Trust. You can find out more about the organisation and how you can offer your support here: divacharitabletrust.com
