McIver’s Ladies Baths – a sea pool to the south of Sydney’s iconic Coogee Beach – has been called out for transphobia after it was found to be explicitly barring trans women who haven’t had gender-affirmation surgery from using its grounds.
The popular women’s baths have been a refuge for women and children under 12 since 1922, providing a space for women to bathe and relax without the presence of men. It’s a space where all women are able to feel comfortable and respected in their own skin, come for free swimming lessons, and spend time with each other. It has also historically been a place where women of religious beliefs could bathe, including nuns from the local Brigadine Convent and Muslim women.
This week, the baths – and the Randwick & Coogee Ladies Swimming Association, which manages the pool ground – have faced a massive backlash from the wider transgender community and its allies and supporters, after its online FAQ section said that transgender women who haven’t had gender-affirmation surgery are barred from using the baths and surrounding grounds.
Until Tuesday, the website said only trans women who had undergone gender affirmation surgery were allowed to enter the space.
I wonder who’s job it is at McIver’s Ladies Baths in Coogee, to check people’s pants to see if they have the “correct” genitals?https://t.co/e3785XaBeN pic.twitter.com/AbIQQ1lXKM
— Drew 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ (@DrewScathach) January 11, 2021
Many women have shared their upset with the baths rulings, detailing how much the safe space has meant to them while they explore their own gender identity.
https://twitter.com/lexgallagher/status/1348502049332236289?s=20
i’ve never experienced outward transphobia or been hassled about my body/gender at mciver’s, which makes me wonder where this decision has even come from. who was asking for this? either way it’s now just another place i don’t feel welcome or safe being as a trans person
— alex (@lexgallagher) January 11, 2021
Literally the only place I’ve gone swimming since transition.
Becoming allergic to water doesn’t help but I’m hoping to get on top of that, and this just leaves me saying fuck
— Talie Low (@TalieLow) January 11, 2021
In response to the backlash, the McIver’s Baths FAQ said it had been granted an exemption from the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 by the NSW Government, and that further inquiries should be directed to the local council.
[Image: McIver’s Ladies Baths website as of 9.30am January 12]
The baths’ Facebook page also issued a statement – which has since been deleted – doubling down on the exemption and directing anyone with further questions should contact the Randwick City Council.
[Image: McIver’s Ladies Baths – 11/01/2021]
At the time of writing, the McIver’s Ladies Baths are not on the current Sex Discrimination exemptions and applications listed on the Australian Human Rights Commission website.
On Tuesday, January 12, the McIver’s Baths FAQ section has been further amended, removing the Discrimination Act exemption comment and instead noting that transgender women as defined by the NSW Discrimination Act are welcome at the baths.
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.
PEDESTRIAN.TV has requested comment from both Randwick City Council and the Randwick & Coogee Ladies Swimming Association, but neither party responded before the deadline.
Update – 12/01/2020 – 3pm
A council spokesperson has made a statement on the issue of access for transgender women to the McIver’s Baths.
“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,” they said.
“McIver’s Ladies Baths is located on Crown land and sub-leased to the Randwick and Coogee Ladies Swimming Association who are ultimately responsible for management and entry to the 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.”
If you’d like to talk about the issues raised in this story, you can call the QLife LGBTI peer support hotline on 1800 184 527 or chat online.
QLife operates between 3pm and midnight daily.
Under 25? You can reach Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800 or chat online.
