A women's only pool in Sydney's eastern suburbs has caused a stir after they declared transgender patrons would only be allowed in if they've had gender reassignment surgery.
The McIver's Ladies Baths in Coogee uploaded the rule onto a FAQ section of its website under a headline titled 'Are transgender women allowed?'
The website stated: "Only transgender women who've undergone a gender reassignment surgery are allowed entry."
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The rule was also posted onto their Facebook page, however it's since been taken down.
However, that hasn't stopped the slew of angry messages in the comments sections from people who vehemently disagreed with their ruling.
One person "The 'drop your pants so we can check' policy is breathtakingly offensive, and evidence of extremely outdated, reductive and classist thinking," one person wrote in response to the rule.
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Another added: "This is deeply shameful, exclusionary and has changed my perception of you from a safe space for women to one that is highly unsafe. You should be deeply ashamed about this."
Many also expressed confusion as to just how they would enforce such a rule, considering that it states on the website that full nudity is prohibited by NSW law.
"Swimming bottoms must be worn at all times in the pool, and around the grounds. Violators may be asked to leave," it states on the website.
"Topless swimming and sunbaking is allowed; though we do ask that patrons are considerate of their environment and the comfort levels of people around them."
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While many comments condemned the rule, others praised them for 'upholding the rights of women and girls'.
"Many thanks, McIver's. Women and girls value the opportunity to have spaces that are for women and girls only. These spaces are rare and it hurts no one," one person wrote.
Since receiving major backlash, the company has since updated information on their website.
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Under the section about transgender women, it now reads: "McIver's Ladies Baths has an exemption under the Anti-Discrimination Act awarded in 1995. Only women and children (boys up to 13 years of age) are permitted entry."
According to news.com.au, a Randwick City Council spokesperson said: "Randwick Council is an inclusive organisation that values diversity in our community, and have always supported the inclusion of transgender women at McIver's Ladies Baths.
"It is our understanding the Association has always had a policy of inclusion and we have been in contact with the management of the baths to ask them to more accurately communicate this inclusive position on the issue on their website."
The FAQ section has since been updated and has removed the Discrimination Act exemption comment. It's since noted that transgender women are welcome at the baths as long as they fit with NSW laws.
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Section 38A of the 1977 Anti-Discrimination Act (NSW) defines a transgender person as anyone:
- who identifies as a member of the opposite sex by living, or seeking to live, as a member of the opposite sex, or
- who has identified as a member of the opposite sex by living as a member of the opposite sex, or
- who, being of indeterminate sex, identifies as a member of a particular sex by living as a member of that sex, and includes a reference to the person being thought of as a transgender person, whether the person is or was, in fact, a transgender person.
Topics: Australia, transgender