The debate over whether trans women should be allowed to swim in the Hampstead Heath Ladies’ Pond has once again surfaced, following a recent Supreme Court ruling that defined a woman as someone assigned female at birth. But the notion of banning trans women from the pond not only challenges the inclusive, welcoming spirit of the space but also faces insurmountable practical difficulties.
Four years ago, when I lived in the Gospel Oak area of London, I frequented the Ladies’ Pond weekly. It was a place where body diversity was celebrated and embraced. There were many different kinds of people there — those with different body shapes, presentations, and, of course, identities. I saw everything from body hair to famous faces, from people with mastectomies to those without any breasts at all. What was never witnessed, however, was anyone making others uncomfortable based on their perceived gender. The pond was a peaceful, unjudgmental place, governed by an unwritten code of conduct that encouraged everyone to behave respectfully. If anyone did step out of line, the lifeguards and stewards kept things in order swiftly and fairly.
This is why the recent push to ban trans women from the Ladies’ Pond seems both absurd and harmful. Trans women have been allowed to swim there since 2019, under guidance approved by the local swimmers’ association, yet now some women are campaigning to have them excluded. This protest, spurred on by the recent court ruling, has led to the bizarre spectacle of individuals trying to break into the Men’s Pond, claiming that they should be allowed to swim there because they identified as men. This form of protest is based on a flawed, even ridiculous, premise that men could exploit the system by pretending to be trans to gain entry to women’s spaces.
But the protest, as misguided as it is, exposes something more troubling — a deep-seated hostility towards trans people. The protesters claim that allowing trans women in the Ladies’ Pond could lead to exploitation, with men entering under the guise of being trans, potentially causing harm to women. However, there is no evidence to support such claims. No incidents of “fake trans women” infiltrating the pond to cause harm have been recorded. The real risk, it seems, lies in the hate and discrimination faced by trans people, not the supposed dangers posed by their presence in women-only spaces.
The primary issue with a potential ban on trans women is its inherent difficulty. How would it be enforced? Would security guards check people’s genitals at the gate? If not, how could anyone determine whether a woman is “truly” a woman? Such a rule risks discriminating against anyone who doesn’t conform to traditional gender norms — including butch lesbians, masculine-presenting women, or those who have had breast cancer and undergone mastectomies. It opens up the very real possibility of women being excluded based on their appearance or body type, rather than their gender identity.
Moreover, such a ban directly contradicts the inclusive and accepting spirit that the Hampstead Heath ponds have long stood for. For decades, they have been a space where people of all genders, bodies, and identities could come together, free from judgment. London, as a city, thrives on this diversity, and Hampstead Heath has always been a microcosm of this ethos. The introduction of an exclusionary rule would tarnish this tradition and send a harmful message about who belongs in public spaces.
Statistics further highlight the flaw in the logic behind the protest. According to the 2021 census, just 0.5% of the UK population identifies as trans, meaning there are very few trans people who would even be regular swimmers at the Ladies’ Pond. In fact, the number of trans swimmers at Hampstead Heath’s ponds is likely to be tiny — a few individuals at most, out of the 876 annual season ticket holders. It’s difficult to see how such a small number of people could pose any real threat to the space.
More Read
What’s more concerning is the rise in hate crimes against transgender people. In the year ending March 2024, there were 4,780 incidents of hate crime against transgender individuals in the UK. And the mental health challenges faced by trans youth are well-documented, with 92% of trans young people reporting having considered suicide, according to Stonewall’s 2017 School Report. Trans people, not cisgender women, are the ones at risk here.
If any real threat exists to the peaceful atmosphere of Hampstead Heath’s Ladies’ Pond, it comes not from trans women but from individuals who seek to create division and spread fear. During my time at the ponds, it wasn’t the presence of trans women that caused discomfort, but rather the vocal individuals who actively opposed their inclusion while others were simply trying to enjoy their swim. These voices disrupt the inclusive, safe space that the ponds represent.
The real choice facing Hampstead Heath is whether it continues to be a safe, welcoming space for all, or whether it gives in to a divisive agenda. For the sake of the pond’s long-standing spirit, the answer should be clear: no to exclusion, and yes to inclusion.
