English swimming’s governing body has dropped a controversial guide which said transsexual customers could use male or female changing rooms.
Swim England’s guidance encouraged pool staff to ‘educate’ people who had concerns.
Following criticism, the document has now been removed from Swim England’s website.
‘Educate’
The original document reportedly said the best solution for a changing area was a ‘gender neutral village style’.
But if that was not possible, staff “should enable trans people to use the facilities which they feel to be most appropriate”.
On customers who had concerns, it said: “You may need to do some education work with other centre users who may be concerned when sharing a space with a trans person, especially if a trans customer looks to have different physical characteristics to the gender they are identifying with”.
Intimidating
At the time, Mumsnet users reacted with dismay, raising concerns about people intimidating swimming pool customers.
Swim England initially stood by its guidance but has subsequently received around 50 enquiries about it and has now taken the document offline.
The organisation said: “We are taking the opportunity to review the details and consult with facility operators and other interested parties”.
Stonewall
In February, Swim England spoke with pride about its inclusion in the Stonewall “Workplace Equality Index”.
Noting that all its policies are now “gender neutral and sexual orientation inclusive”, it nevertheless said “there is still more to do”.
In November, clothing chain Topshop was criticised for removing separate male and female changing rooms.
Topshop said the change is part of its “commitment to equal opportunities”, but transsexual Miranda Yardley said: “Women of all ages must be able to feel safe in areas like changing rooms. This policy doesn’t feel safe to me.”