Another step into the descent into madness!

Those womens groups and religious groups would be horrified if trans people tried to get changed besides them in the changerooms…

This man couldn’t speak less clearly if he tried. After his liaison with community groups, what are the actual accessibility or inclusion issues, if any? Or, is it rather, that particular groups are avoiding accessible and inclusive swimming pools due to fear of negative public attitudes? (Which is a fair response from marginalised groups).

While the underlying reasoning is understandable, segregating people from an accessible service is not inclusion. The Greens really need to start speaking clearly on this rather than throwing around buzz words of diversity and inclusion when they are advocating for the opposite.

Promoting the idea that some women, or some gay people, or some gender diverse people require segregation unfortunately sows division against and between these groups.

Diversity and inclusion is achieved by recognising the other and accepting our differences, while ensuring participation. If we can strike off the latter – that we all have access to the space (which we do) – we can work on the former.

With the small number of pools in Canberra, would it not be a better approach to provide targeted campaigning to the organisations/swimming pools where marginalised groups have reported they experienced prejudicial attitudes?

If the root cause of harm is prejudicial attitudes (to migrant women for example), unfortunately those attitudes will still be held by people whether a separate class is held or not. Could the swimming pool take on responsibility to encourage a welcoming and inclusive space for all? Perhaps promote reporting mechanisms should people experience prejudicial behaviour from staff or customers. Make it known that women are welcome at the pool and their safety and culture matters.

The huge majority of society get along with a diverse range of people and are accepting diversity of all kinds. Greens – speak clearly! If you want to encourage a society based on the principles of fairness and cooperation, then say so.