London Ponds Keep Inclusive Transgender Access Policy

The City of London Corporation has voted to maintain its policy allowing transgender people to use Hampstead Heath's bathing ponds. Transgender women will continue to access the Kenwood Ladies' Pond, while transgender men can use the Highgate Men's Pond. The mixed pond remains open to everyone. This decision was made after a public consultation where 86% of the 38,000 responses supported keeping the existing policy. Regular pond users also backed the inclusive approach.

The corporation also plans to improve toilet and shower facilities, adding more private cubicles. The ruling means the men's and women's ponds will not be designated as single-sex spaces under the Equality Act 2010. This aligns with the CLC's decision following a Supreme Court ruling that 'women' and 'sex' in the act refer to biological sex. Guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission suggests single-sex services should be based on biological sex.

A legal challenge by the charity Sex Matters regarding the ponds' access policy is ongoing, arguing that allowing trans individuals to use facilities based on their gender identity constitutes sex discrimination. Despite some opposition during the committee hearing, emphasizing the desire for biological-only single-sex spaces, the CLC stated staff would use common sense and sensitivity in policy application, without requiring physical checks or identification.