City of Darebin hosts transgender-only swim night at the Reservoir Leisure Centre

Darebin City Council has successfully staged a transgender-friendly swim night at the Reservoir Leisure Centre.

Held after-hours on Saturday 24th February, the trans-only event was attended by more than 75 people, some of whom were entering a public swimming pool for the first time in years.

Open to anyone who identified as transgender, along with their children, a City of Darebin spokesperson said the event was in "similar ilk" to other events it has hosted in the past for religious and cultural groups.

A Facebook event page promoted the swim night as "Victoria's first ever Trans and Gender diverse swim night, providing indoor pools where trans and gender diverse people can exercise, socialise and feel safe.

"Come along to be a part of something truly wonderful in a safe place amongst like-minded individuals.”

Darebin City Councillor Steph Amir shared concerns the LGBTQI community had ahead of the event on Twitter and cited them as reasons why the Council needed to hold the event.

Among the concerns were that many transgender people don't go to swimming pools and gyms "out of fear".

Speaking in advance of the event, Darebin Mayor Kim Le Cerf stated “we’ve heard first-hand from our trans and gender diverse community how uncomfortable they can feel in a public pool environment.

“It makes absolute sense to offer them a safe and welcoming place to swim after hours.”

The event was hosted following a suggestion from Darebin’s Sexuality, Sex and Gender Diversity Advisory Committee in order to meet the concerns of transgender residents who, according to former Committee member Tina Healy, “often feel that they can’t go to a beach or to a swimming pool.”

Speaking to pop culture website Junkee, Healy explained that this stems from transgender not feeling safe in traditional swimming pool environments, “sometimes it might be because of self-esteem issues. But it’s a big issue. I remember it myself, from when I was transitioning.”

“I just thought (the swim night) could be something that could really impact on people’s lives, and make a real difference.”

The hosting of the night was questioned by Gideon Rozner, Research Fellow at the right-wing think tank the Institute of Public Affairs.

Rozner told Yahoo7 "councils like Darebin should spend less time focusing on identity politics and more time on the core business of local government", adding "council amenities like swimming pools should be open to all ratepayers, regardless of gender, ethnicity or religion.”

However, on Facebook the event was praised as "fantastic".

One user wrote "I have been too scared to go swimming as my real female self.”

Darebin Council has made a long-term commitment to equality and inclusion for people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex or queer. 

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