Hampstead ladies' pond swimmers accuse trans women of spying on them
Swimmers at the Hampstead ladies' pond have accusedtransgender women of spying on them naked.
Women have complained of voyeuristic behaviour from some trans women, who were born male, using the Kenwood Ladies' Pond, which they say has made left them feeling 'violated'.
One said she had been stared at in the shower, while another saw a biological man taking photographs of other bathers.
Now a women's rights group has threatened the City of London Corporation, which owns the outdoor pond, with legal action unless it stops biological men from using it.
The pond opened in 1925 and is the sole women-only freshwater swimming amenity in the country. Since 2019 it has been open to trans women.
The Corporation has not changed its policy since the Supreme Court ruled in April that, under the Equality Act, sex means biological sex.
This judgement means toilets and changing rooms should be segregated by biological sex and not self-identified gender.
Women's rights campaigners Sex Matters have threatened to take the Corporation to court unless it changes its regulations to comply with the Supreme Court ruling.
The group said it has examples of women who have felt uncomfortable using the ponds since trans women were allowed in.
They have 'been subjected to trans-identifying men being naked in the changing area and showers' and experienced 'trans-identifying men taking photographs of women and girls and trans-identifying men topless in the meadow, both of which are not permitted'.
Other women have complained about ' trans-identifying men staring at women and girls in the showers and changing facilities'; and 'felt violated in what they considered was a women-only safe space'.
One pond user, who wishes to remain anonymous, complained: 'I was showering outside after my swim, when a big man with a long wig and a long coat came walking down the path to the pond area.
'This man came and lingered in the restricted area between the outdoor showers and the fence, where my towel was draped. He stood there turned at an angle, looking at me and evidently wanting me to know that he was looking at me.
'I was trapped, because I was naked, and my towel was on the fence behind him.'
In 2019, the pond changed its rules to allow trans women - that is biological men - to use the facilities, claiming it was required under the Equality Act.
When the change was being discussed, Charles Lord, from the City of London Corporation, said: 'It shouldn't be controversial. It shouldn't be a debate. Trans women are women, trans men are men.'
Even after the Supreme Court judgement, the Corporation put out a statement indicating it would not change its policy, saying: 'Any unlawful discrimination will not be tolerated. Our gender identity policy is designed to ensure our services are welcoming to everyone, including all who use the bathing ponds.'
Trans women have been allowed to use the pond since the judgement, even though the signs say 'women only' and 'no men beyond this point'.
The changing hut at the ladies' pond contains open communal showers and an open changing area.
There is also a mixed pond and a men's only pond.
Last month, 30 women's rights campaigners stormed the male-only pond at Hampstead shouting 'no goolies in our poolies' in protest at the policy.
Sex Matters said the Corporation was failing on human rights grounds, discrimination and harassment, and had made an error in law.
A spokesman for the Corporation said: 'In line with other service providers, we are reviewing our access policies, including those at Hampstead Heath's bathing ponds.
'In doing so, we must consider the impact of current and potential future arrangements on all visitors, while ensuring we meet our legal duties and provide appropriate access.
' This summer we will engage with our service users and other stakeholders to ensure we understand their needs and can take properly informed decisions.
'In considering the way forward, we have taken, and will continue to take, specialist legal advice. The current arrangements remain in place during the review.
'Our priority is to provide a safe and respectful environment for everyone.'
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