Latest news with #BankHolidayMan-Day
Daily Mail
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Women's rights campaigners storm male pond at Hampstead Heath in false beards, wigs and moustaches in protest over self-ID rule at ladies-only pool
Women's rights campaigners stormed the male pond at Hampstead Heath shouting 'no goolies in our poolies' in protest over bosses refusing to ban trans women from an adjacent ladies' only pond following the Supreme Court ruling. Around 30 female protesters wearing false beards, wigs and moustaches descended on the male-only pond on Bank Holiday Monday demanding to be let in because they self-identified as male. But they were met by security guards and police who locked a gate to prevent them from entering while insisting that protests were not allowed. The protest was organised after officials from the City of London Corporation which runs the ponds in Hampstead Heath north London ruled that trans women or men who identify as women could continue swimming in a nearby ladies' pond. Protesters demanded that the Corporation now ban trans women or men identifying as women from using the ladies' only pond following the Supreme Court ruling that the legal definition of a woman should be based on biological sex. Waving placards declaring 'Let Women Swim' and 'No Peens in our Pond,' the women protesters marched on the male natural bathing pond loudly singing: 'The law says no. Men must go. No goolies in our poolies.' On a day they dubbed 'Bank Holiday Man-Day', dog walkers and visitors to the Heath looked on bemused as the women then gathered on the edge of the pond singing: 'If the person has a penis, he's a man.' After being denied entry, the women remonstrated with a police officer standing behind a locked iron gate demanding that they be permitted entry because 'we are men.' Amy Desir, a gender-critical campaigner who organised the protest, insisted: 'If you allow trans women or men who identify as women into the ladies only pond then why can't us women, who identify as men, just for today, be allowed into the male only pond? ' Another protester screamed: 'I'm very manly. I have short hair and flat shoes. Let me in.' A third shouted: 'Let us lads in.' The police officer smirked and then admitted that he was a bit confused, particularly over which pronoun to use asking them: 'How should I refer to you all?' The women replied: 'Sir or gentlemen or he or him. Or even your lordships,' leading to widespread laughter amongst those involved in the standoff. As protesters remonstrated and joked with the officer about their 'manliness', five of them broke away, jumped over a wooden fence and dived into the chilly water of the male-only pond as their supporters cheered and clapped. Ms Desir, who was wearing a bright, oversized novelty swimsuit was one of the first to breach the pond's defences. She told MailOnline: 'We are not transphobic, we are pro-women and want to maintain safe spaces for women. The City of London Corporation is in breach of the law because only biological women should be allowed to use the women's only pond. After swimming for around 20 minutes, the female protesters jumped in the air and waved to their supporters 'The Corporations self-identity policy is driving women away from the women's pond. They don't feel safe there anymore because of transwomen or predatory men being let in because they say they're a woman.' She added: 'The whole situation is ridiculous. People who in the eyes of the law are not women are being allowed to use the women's pond and that is disgraceful.' Hannah Clarke, who also jumped into the male pond, said: 'The Supreme Court has made the definition of a woman categorically clear and that's somebody who is born a woman. The City of London Corporation should be complying with the law, it's as simple as that.' After swimming for around 20 minutes, the female protesters jumped in the air and waved to their supporters while standing on a wooden platform that jutted out over the men's pond. Venice Allen, who shivered after leaving the pond and was drying herself with a towel thar read, 'Let Women Swim,' told MailOnline: 'The water was very cold, but it was worth it. This is a very important protest to fight for women's rights. Ms Desir, who was wearing a bright, oversized novelty swimsuit was one of the first to breach the pond's defences. She was joined by Ms Clarke Venice Allen (pictured), who shivered after leaving the pond and was drying herself with a towel thar read, 'Let Women Swim,' told MailOnline: 'The water was very cold, but it was worth it. This is a very important protest to fight for women's rights.' 'We will be returning until the women's pond is once again exclusively for women.' The UK's sole women-only natural bathing pool became a flashpoint in the trans debate after the City of London Corporation adopted a 'self-ID' policy in 2019, meaning trans women or men identifying as women can use the female changing rooms and swim there. It has chosen to stick with this policy despite the Equality and Human Rights Commission advising that trans women should not use women's facilities in workplaces or public spaces following the Supreme Court ruling. The City of London Corporation has said that it is 'carefully considering the judgment' while awaiting statutory guidance from the Commission. A spokesman for the City of London Corporation told the media: 'These accusations are completely false. The City Corporation is compliant with existing UK law.'
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Do not talk about trans ruling,' staff at Highgate Men's Pond told
Staff at Highgate Men's Pond have been told not to discuss the Supreme Court's transgender ruling with swimmers, The Telegraph can reveal. In a move described as 'draconian' by women's rights activists, the City of London Corporation responsible for the Hampstead Heath ponds told staff they 'must not get drawn into any conversations' with swimmers about the ruling. Last week, the London authority announced that transgender people could continue to access the single-sex bathing ponds, despite the court's unanimous judgement. The authority confirmed its gender self-ID policy would 'remain in effect at this time' at both the Men's Pond and Kenwood Ladies' Pond. Campaigners described the decision as 'unlawful' and said a third, unisex pond was available. It has now emerged that corporation staff at the Men's Pond have been ordered not to speak about the ruling or their employer's stance. A notice in the staff hut states: 'Until further notices from our senior management team we must not get drawn into any conversations with swimmers or visitors about the ruling.' If asked about the issue, staff are instructed to reply: 'We are continuing as we are until we hear further from our senior management team'. They are also told to refer questions to the press office and report any swimmer who raises concerns over the lack of single-sex provision to their line manager. The notice ends: 'Please make sure you report any issues or inappropriate behaviour related to the above, using our incident reporting form and let your Team Leader know so we can escalate accordingly.' It comes as campaigners prepare to stage a protest at the Men's Pond on Monday, dubbed 'Bank Holiday Man-Day'. Venice Allan, 49, a feminist activist leading efforts to restore Kenwood Ladies' Pond as a female-only space, said campaigners plan to take over the male bathing spot to demonstrate against the London authority's failure to ban trans women from the women's pond. In a similar 2018 protest, women in fake beards and swimsuits were removed by police. She said: 'There are three ponds and people with gender identities are safe and welcome at the mixed-sex pond. We will continue to invade the men's space until ours is female-only again.' Ms Allan also criticised the decision by council chiefs to limit what swimming staff can say about the ruling, saying they are being made complicit. She said: 'Not content with breaking the law, the City of London Corporation is now dragging its own staff into complicity. This draconian order appears to gag workers from even acknowledging their employer's unlawful conduct to the public. 'It also instructs staff to report any instance of a swimmer having the temerity to question the breach – effectively encouraging them to inform on concerned members of the public to senior Corporation bosses. It's chilling.' Last week, a prominent barrister told The Telegraph that continuing to label the ponds as 'men's' and 'ladies'' could now expose the corporation to legal challenge. Sarah Vine KC said that if the City of London Corporation wished to maintain its gender self-ID stance, it 'should not describe the ponds as anything other than mixed-sex'. She said: 'Any continued description of two of the ponds as 'men's' and 'ladies' will expose the Corporation to discrimination claims; the practical effect of doing so is far more likely to result in a de facto single-sex facility for men, who can enjoy the consequential privacy, with no corresponding provision for women.' She added: 'This is despite the fact that women's overall need for safety and privacy is generally higher than that of men.' Responding to criticism of their stance last week, the City of London Corporation told The Telegraph that 'accusations' their policy was unlawful were 'completely false'. A spokesman said: 'The City Corporation is compliant with existing UK law. 'In line with other affected organisations we are carefully considering the judgement and awaiting statutory guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission – which service providers must take into account.' They added that a 'carefully considered decision' will be taken on the issue 'in due course'. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
‘Do not talk about trans ruling,' staff at Highgate Men's Pond told
Staff at Highgate Men's Pond have been told not to discuss the Supreme Court's transgender ruling with swimmers, The Telegraph can reveal. In a move described as 'draconian' by women's rights activists, the City of London Corporation responsible for the Hampstead Heath ponds told staff they 'must not get drawn into any conversations' with swimmers about the ruling. Last week, the London authority announced that transgender people could continue to access the single-sex bathing ponds, despite the court's unanimous judgement. The authority confirmed its gender self-ID policy would 'remain in effect at this time' at both the Men's Pond and Kenwood Ladies' Pond. Campaigners described the decision as 'unlawful' and said a third, unisex pond was available. It has now emerged that corporation staff at the Men's Pond have been ordered not to speak about the ruling or their employer's stance. A notice in the staff hut states: 'Until further notices from our senior management team we must not get drawn into any conversations with swimmers or visitors about the ruling.' If asked about the issue, staff are instructed to reply: 'We are continuing as we are until we hear further from our senior management team'. They are also told to refer questions to the press office and report any swimmer who raises concerns over the lack of single-sex provision to their line manager. The notice ends: 'Please make sure you report any issues or inappropriate behaviour related to the above, using our incident reporting form and let your Team Leader know so we can escalate accordingly.' It comes as campaigners prepare to stage a protest at the Men's Pond on Monday, dubbed 'Bank Holiday Man-Day'. Venice Allan, 49, a feminist activist leading efforts to restore Kenwood Ladies' Pond as a female-only space, said campaigners plan to take over the male bathing spot to demonstrate against the London authority's failure to ban trans women from the women's pond. In a similar 2018 protest, women in fake beards and swimsuits were removed by police. 'Dragging staff into complicity' She said: 'There are three ponds and people with gender identities are safe and welcome at the mixed-sex pond. We will continue to invade the men's space until ours is female-only again.' Ms Allan also criticised the decision by council chiefs to limit what swimming staff can say about the ruling, saying they are being made complicit. She said: 'Not content with breaking the law, the City of London Corporation is now dragging its own staff into complicity. This draconian order appears to gag workers from even acknowledging their employer's unlawful conduct to the public. 'It also instructs staff to report any instance of a swimmer having the temerity to question the breach – effectively encouraging them to inform on concerned members of the public to senior Corporation bosses. It's chilling.' Last week, a prominent barrister told The Telegraph that continuing to label the ponds as 'men's' and 'ladies'' could now expose the corporation to legal challenge. 'Result in de facto single-sex facility for men' Sarah Vine KC said that if the City of London Corporation wished to maintain its gender self-ID stance, it 'should not describe the ponds as anything other than mixed-sex'. She said: 'Any continued description of two of the ponds as 'men's' and 'ladies' will expose the Corporation to discrimination claims; the practical effect of doing so is far more likely to result in a de facto single-sex facility for men, who can enjoy the consequential privacy, with no corresponding provision for women.' Responding to criticism of their stance last week, the City of London Corporation told The Telegraph that 'accusations' their policy was unlawful were 'completely false'. A spokesman said: 'The City Corporation is compliant with existing UK law. 'In line with other affected organisations we are carefully considering the judgement and awaiting statutory guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission – which service providers must take into account.' They added that a 'carefully considered decision' will be taken on the issue 'in due course'.
Daily Mail
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Bank holiday Man-Day! Women's rights campaigners set to wreak havoc on male pool after Hampstead Heath ladies' pond keeps self-ID rule
Women's rights campaigners are plotting to take over the men's pond at Hampstead Heath in protest over bosses refusing to ban trans women from the ladies pond following the Supreme Court ruling. Dubbing it 'Bank Holiday Man-Day', prominent campaigner Amy Desir called on protesters from 'Let Women Swim' to join her by gatecrashing a men's pond session on Monday. Ms Desir and other female activists wearing fake beards were escorted away by police officers when they invaded the men's bathing pond in Hampstead, North London, in 2018. Their latest planned stunt comes after Hampstead Heath Ladies' Pond said trans women would be allowed to continue swimming there despite the landmark Supreme Court ruling stating the legal definition of a woman should be based on biological sex. Kenwood Ladies' Pond said its inclusive gender policy will 'remain in effect at this time', despite the Equality and Human Rights Commission advising trans women should not use women's facilities in workplaces or public spaces. The UK's sole women-only natural bathing pool became a flashpoint in the trans debate after the City of London Corporation adopted a 'self-ID' policy in 2019, meaning trans women can use the female changing rooms and swim there. Gender-critical campaigners have been fighting to 'reclaim' the pond, which opened a century ago for women and girls, but they have been contested by trans activists, including India Willoughby. In the wake of the Supreme Court ruling, Ms Desir has vowed to continue the fight to reclaim women's-only spaces and called for protesters to join her at the men's pond on Bank Holiday Monday. Ms Desir has called on protesters from 'Let Women Swim' to join her by gatecrashing a men's pond session at Hampstead Heath on Monday. She is pictured in 2018 when she infiltrated a men's-only session at a south London leisure centre dressed in trunks and a swimming cap In a speech to a crowd of women, the mother-of-two said: 'Women have spoken, the Supreme Court has spoken, but the fight is not over. 'If anyone fancies a Bank Holiday Man-Day down at the men's pond, I'll be there next Monday. 'Men's pond because they are still saying 'We'll think about it'. F*** that. The Supreme Court has spoken, we're taking back our spaces and we're proving it now.' Her speech was met with applause and cheers, with one shouting 'Bank Holiday Man-Day!' back. But it was condemned by Ms Willoughby who shared the speech and wrote: 'Weirdo terfs [trans-exclusionary radical feminists]. Hampstead Heath and the ponds are stunning. I swim here in the summer.' Ms Willoughby, a trans newsreader who has been a vocal critic of gender-critical campaigners such as Ms Desir and JK Rowling, added: 'Really sad these lot hang around. The ponds committee has said it won't be banning trans peeps - who have always used the Ladies Pond without incident for decades.' Ms Desir and other women previously disrupted a men's only bathing session at Hampstead Heath in 2018, which led to them being escorted away by police. The invasion was part of a nationwide campaign set up on Mumsnet called #ManFriday which encourages women to 'self-identify' as men for the day on Fridays in a protest against possible changes to gender laws. Ms Desir also caused a storm when she attended a men-only swimming session at Dulwich Leisure Centre after telling staff she 'identified as male'. She and another woman, called Hannah, used the male changing rooms before joining men in the pool in 2018. Ms Desir, who wore just trunks and a pink swimming cap, told the Mail at the time: 'We are doing it to highlight the ridiculous and dangerous move towards self-identification. We are clearly not men but by saying we are, we were allowed to join in men-only activities.' The City of London Corporation confirmed earlier this week that it would keep its current gender policy in place while it considers the implications of the Supreme Court ruling. Prominent barrister Sarah Vine KC warned the ponds should now describe themselves as mixed sex and that the current labels could expose the corporation to legal challenge. She said: 'Any continued description of two of the ponds as 'men's' and 'ladies' will expose the Corporation to discrimination claims.' Venice Allan, 49, said female-only spaces were needed for 'safety, privacy and dignity'. 'It doesn't surprise me in the slightest that the Corporation is trying to fudge this,' she added. Ms Allan last year became the first woman to be banned from an historic association representing users of the North London pond after she objected to biological males being permitted entry. She was told in an email from the Kenwood Ladies' Pond Association (KLPA) in May that her membership had been revoked because of her views. Speaking at an AGM in March last year, Ms Allan said: 'When the inevitable happens as a result of your trans inclusive policy that the majority of women, and, so I am told, two men, have voted for today, and a man that you're so inclusive of attacks or rapes a girl, I want you to remember you voted for that. 'I hope that you wake up in the middle of the night and remember that you made that act of male violence in a sacred woman's space possible.' She told the Mail on Sunday afterwards: 'I'm not banned from the pond, but the ban means I can no longer vote on any of the rules. 'More importantly banning me sends a message – just a year before we celebrate a 100 years of this iconic women's space – that women who object to men using the pool are not welcome.' The KLPA is a voluntary organisation of women who 'care' about Hampstead Ladies' Pond and represent the view of its users to the City of London Corporation, who are in charge of administering the beauty spot. Last month, judges unanimously ruled a woman is defined by biological sex under equalities law. This mean that trans women, who are biologically male but identify as women, can be excluded from women-only spaces. Lord Hodge said: 'The unanimous decision of this court is that the terms woman and sex in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex. 'But we counsel against reading this judgement as a triumph of one or more groups in our society at the expense of another, it is not.' Since then, the Equality and Human Rights Commission has released interim guidance on how organisations should interpret the ruling. The new guidance says that in places like hospitals, shops and restaurants, 'trans women (biological men) should not be permitted to use the women's facilities'. It also states that trans people should not be left without any facilities to use. A spokesperson for the City of London Corporation said that its policy was not 'unlawful'. 'These accusations are completely false. The City Corporation is compliant with existing UK law,' they said. 'In line with other affected organisations we are carefully considering the judgment and awaiting statutory guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission – which service providers must take into account.'
