Activists hold swim-in for trans inclusion at McIver’s Baths
The transphobic entry policy of the baths has been met with strong public backlash. Photo Courtesy: Lauren Lancaster
CW: Transphobia
About 100 protestors gathered this morning at the Coogee Pavilion to protest the recent amendment of the McIver’s Women’s Baths entry policy, prohibiting the entry of trans women who had not undergone full gender affirming surgery. The demands included that the pool release a trans-inclusive statement and issue a full apology to those impacted by the exclusive ban.
McIver’s Ladies Baths, built in 1886, is Australia’s only coastal pool to be granted an exemption from the Anti-Discrimination Act by the NSW government, in 1995. Recently, the Randwick and Coogee Ladies Swimming Association (which operates the baths) attracted criticism for a response to a question on their website, which asked: “Are transgender women allowed?” “Only transgender women