Campaign group ‘Sex Matters’ have been pushing to ban trans women from the Kenwood Ladies pond in Hampstead Heath since 2018. The Ponds, so far, have used a gender self-identification policy, meaning that people are accepted to use which ever pond most accurately suits them.
The ‘Sex Matters’ group is fighting this, crowdfunding over £66,000 to, as they put it, ‘keep men out of the Ladies Pond’. Having previously ignored the movement, the City of London Corporation have now launched a public consultation. This comes after the Supreme Court’s ruling in April this year, which deemed that transgender women are not legally women.
The consultation will be used to determine whether the men’s and ladies’ ponds will remain trans inclusive.
29 year old DJ from Cork, Ciara, has lived in London for four years. She is also trans. Posting a TikTok in response to the public consultation, Ciara says she avoids paying attention to groups like ‘Sex Matters’ but will share things “people need to be made aware of’.”
Ciara says that since the Supreme Court ruling, she was “more apprehensive in public but nothing actually changed,” explaining that in her experience, London remains very inclusive but the headlines share the voices of “the minority.”
Mixed Pond Hampstead Heath – Image courtesy of Eva Clark
One option proposed by the consultation is to have scheduled sessions where trans people can swim, with no access outside of that. Ciara shared the swimming policy at her gym, where there is a trans-only swimming session but “the difference is” she says “the trans swim sessions are optional, an additional safe space, not a restriction” and “that’s inclusion. The proposed pond policy is exclusion.” She shows how spaces in London can do more to support trans people, rather than villainise them.
Swimmers at the ponds felt differently to the point of view of the ‘Sex Matters’ group and their supporters. One woman told us she frequently swims at the Ladies pond and had never witnessed an issue with a trans woman swimming there, she said that she and others “love how inclusive it is.”
Kenwood Ladies Pond – Image courtesy of Eva Clark
Another woman told City News that the consultation was surprising as the people who swim at the ponds are “usually so liberal.” She said that “anyone who has a problem is a problem.”
Ciara says that London is an inclusive space but also that “it’s emotionally draining to be part of the trans community right now, but we have to keep going and we need our allies more than ever. Please speak up, write to your MPs and stand with us. We just want to live our lives in peace, like anyone else.”
Submitted Article
Headline
Short Headline
Standfirst
Published Article
HeadlineTrans Access to Ponds Under Attack
Short Headline"We just want to live our lives in peace like anyone else."
StandfirstAnti-trans campaign group pushes Hampstead Heath Ponds to change when and where trans people can swim.
Campaign group ‘Sex Matters’ have been pushing to ban trans women from the Kenwood Ladies pond in Hampstead Heath since 2018. The Ponds, so far, have used a gender self-identification policy, meaning that people are accepted to use which ever pond most accurately suits them.
The ‘Sex Matters’ group is fighting this, crowdfunding over £66,000 to, as they put it, ‘keep men out of the Ladies Pond’. Having previously ignored the movement, the City of London Corporation have now launched a public consultation. This comes after the Supreme Court’s ruling in April this year, which deemed that transgender women are not legally women.
The consultation will be used to determine whether the men’s and ladies’ ponds will remain trans inclusive.
29 year old DJ from Cork, Ciara, has lived in London for four years. She is also trans. Posting a TikTok in response to the public consultation, Ciara says she avoids paying attention to groups like ‘Sex Matters’ but will share things “people need to be made aware of’.”
Ciara says that since the Supreme Court ruling, she was “more apprehensive in public but nothing actually changed,” explaining that in her experience, London remains very inclusive but the headlines share the voices of “the minority.”
Mixed Pond Hampstead Heath – Image courtesy of Eva Clark
One option proposed by the consultation is to have scheduled sessions where trans people can swim, with no access outside of that. Ciara shared the swimming policy at her gym, where there is a trans-only swimming session but “the difference is” she says “the trans swim sessions are optional, an additional safe space, not a restriction” and “that’s inclusion. The proposed pond policy is exclusion.” She shows how spaces in London can do more to support trans people, rather than villainise them.
Swimmers at the ponds felt differently to the point of view of the ‘Sex Matters’ group and their supporters. One woman told us she frequently swims at the Ladies pond and had never witnessed an issue with a trans woman swimming there, she said that she and others “love how inclusive it is.”
Kenwood Ladies Pond – Image courtesy of Eva Clark
Another woman told City News that the consultation was surprising as the people who swim at the ponds are “usually so liberal.” She said that “anyone who has a problem is a problem.”
Ciara says that London is an inclusive space but also that “it’s emotionally draining to be part of the trans community right now, but we have to keep going and we need our allies more than ever. Please speak up, write to your MPs and stand with us. We just want to live our lives in peace, like anyone else.”
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