Inner West Council cops a blast over Trans and Gender Diverse Swim event

Inner West Council has been slammed with complaints after being accused of bungling a swimming pool-centred Pride event for transsexual and gender-diverse people.

Inner West Council has been slammed with complaints after being accused of bungling a swimming pool-centred Pride event for transsexual and gender-diverse people.

The council was forced to issue a list of improvements it would make to future events, after it hosted its third “Trans and Gender Diverse Swim” at Ashfield Aquatic Centre.

It came after feedback from some of those attending took aim at the council, with complaints seen by The Telegraph including allegations that “trans people were stared and gawked at in disgust” by members of the public at the pool.

The complaints also included that “there was no ‘exclusive use’ of any area” for members of the trans and gender-diverse community.

“The whole point of this event is providing safety in a usually unsafe space,” one complaint said, adding there was a lack of security and check-in options usually provided by LGBTQI+ community groups such as Dykes on Bikes.

Bondi Icebergs had a much more successful celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community when Havaianas transformed the pool into a 50m rainbow flag in 2021. Picture: Getty

“This is truly disappointing, as events in the past have involved Dykes on Bikes as security at the door and clear understanding that it is a trans and gender-diverse event.”

The council has since sent an email pledging to mark toilets and change rooms as “all gender” and to “ensure there is also safe changing room space reserved for trans and gender-diverse people only”.

In the email from Inner West Council’s general manager Peter Gainsford, the authority pledged that future events would “better safeguard community wellbeing”.

Findings by the council also stated “Dykes on Bikes or other appropriate community groups wherever possible should be engaged to form part of the entrance and welcoming party”.

The council pledged it would add “quiet rooms and first aiders” for “sensory support”, while more large banners or signage indicating a Pride event was under way would also be looked at.

Feedback also suggested that staff should use “inclusive language … so the community feel that they are allies”.

A council spokesman pointed to future events being held at staggered times to offer spaces at pools exclusively for trans and gender-diverse people.

“The Inner West is proud to host these inclusive events, which have been very well attended and successful,” the spokesman said.

“Council will ensure that future events are scheduled to avoid anyone having to leave the pool early on a hot day.”

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