Good news, bad news
This is why women can't have nice things.
#LetWomenSwim is a campaign to re-claim the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond as a women-only space by 2025, in time to celebrate the centenary of this iconic swimming spot.
People have been swimming in the ponds on Hampstead Heath since the 17th century, but the Men’s pond was officially opened in 1893. After a successful campaign, women were allowed to bathe on Wednesdays only, then eventually won access to their own pond in 1925. Today, there are three ponds: the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond, the Men’s Pond and the Mixed Pond.
In 2019, the Corporation of the City of London formally adopted a new gender self-ID policy, which means the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond is no longer a female-only space. This change in policy excludes many women from the pond. The man behind the policy was Edward Lord, who believes he is neither male nor female.
The campaign is launching with a protest and picnic, organised by Standing For Women and supported by local chapters of the Women’s Rights Network and new campaign Let Our Sisters Swim (LOSS) and other women’s groups.
This action is the first of many; Let Women Swim will continue to put pressure on the Corporation of the City of London to restore the original purpose of this historic place and protect its unique legacy.
There are three ponds. Women need their own spaces for privacy, safety and joy. #LetWomenSwim
Notes for attendees:
Women will meet on Saturday 27th August 2022 at 1pm at the gates to the Ladies Pond to protest.
This will be followed by a ‘merry march’ via the Men’s Pond to the nearby ‘Stone of Free Speech’ where there will be speeches and a picnic at approximately 3pm.
Please note this is not an open mic Speakers’ Corner style event, we hope to have 4 or 5 expert speakers.
Men are welcome to attend the speeches and picnic and it would be useful if they got to the Stone of Free Speech from 1pm to save the space and prepare the picnic.
Vintage swimwear and props are optional for the day!
Placards and flags will be available to carry on the march or feel free to bring your own.
We’d like it to be a joyful and friendly protest, not confrontational or shouty to people enjoying their bank holiday on the Heath. We will have free postcards of 1920s bathers at the pond to give to the public.
THE BAD NEWS
Abusive white men calling themselves lesbians have got wind of it.
I think my patience is not what it used to be.
Talking about "the sex negativity of TERF rhetoric"... "dyke culture"... "lesbian joy"... You're a MAN, you entitled dickhead. Lesbians love WOMEN. This is not your place. These are not your words. Did your parents never teach you what the word "no" means?
I can't remember exactly how old I was, but I have known from when I was pre-school age that if the sign says LADIES, that means not me, no entry, I cannot go there. It wasn't hard to comprehend even when I was five. I don't recall ever questioning it, even in my mind. It wasn't negotiable. No exceptions. It's not difficult, it's not complicated.
It still blows my mind that people cannot see how blatantly misogynistic and backward this stupid movement is. We like to look back and scorn earlier societies for how unenlightened they supposedly were, but I don't recall studying a single period in history when people thought women could have a penis. Maybe I've missed it and someone could enlighten me?
"Fear of male bodies" - oh, I wonder why that would be? Anyone would think men had form in this area...
Sod it - there’s no way I can make this and would dearly love to. Hope this event is a joined up endeavour with the Jewish womens group who are purportedly taking action against City of London on the grounds they can no longer use the pond…