Requiring trans men to wear speedos is discriminatory
Requiring trans men to wear tight-fitting swimwear is discriminatory. This is stated in a ruling by the Disputes Chamber of the Flemish Institute for Human Rights, following a complaint filed by a trans man.
The trans man wanted to go swimming at the Sportoase Montaignehof pool in Lanaken, but was not allowed to wear loose-fitting swimwear. Only tight-fitting swimwear is permitted there for hygiene reasons. However, he wanted to wear loose swimwear because otherwise it would be visible that he has not undergone gender-affirming surgery.
The Disputes Chamber of the Flemish Institute for Human Rights follows this reasoning and rules that there is indirect discrimination based on gender identity and expression. The ban means that the complainant and other trans men in the same situation cannot use the pool without others being aware of their gender identity.
The Chamber acknowledges that the pool pursues a legitimate aim with this ban, such as ensuring safety and hygiene, but finds that the operator has not demonstrated that there are no other effective measures, such as requiring swimmers to shower beforehand. Another argument raised by the pool was that loose swimwear retains more water, preventing it from being reused. However, according to the Chamber, there are swimwear fabrics that absorb very little water.
The Disputes Chamber recommends that the pool take measures to allow the complainant to use the pool without others identifying him as a trans man, and to amend its regulations to allow loose-fitting swimwear.
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Transmannen verplichten om een strakzittende zwembroek te dragen is discriminerend voor transmannen. Dat staat te lezen in het oordeel van de Geschillenkamer van het Vlaams Mensenrechteninstituut na een klacht van een transman. De transman wilde gaan zwemmen in het zwembad van Sportoase Montaignehof in Lanaken, maar mocht daar geen loszittende zwembroek dragen. Enkel aansluitende zwembroeken zijn daar om hygiënische redenen toegelaten. De transman wilde echter een loszittende zwembroek dragen omdat anders zichtbaar is dat hij geen genderbevestigende operatie heeft ondergaan. De Geschillenkamer van het Vlaams Mensenrechteninstituut volgt die redenering en oordeelt dat er sprake is van indirecte discriminatie op grond...
Obliger les hommes trans à porter un maillot de bain moulant est discriminatoire. C’est ce qui ressort de la décision de la Chambre des litiges de l’Institut flamand des droits humains, à la suite d’une plainte introduite par un homme trans. L’homme trans souhaitait aller nager à la piscine de Sportoase Montaignehof à Lanaken, mais il n’était pas autorisé à porter un maillot de bain ample. Seuls les maillots de bain ajustés y sont autorisés pour des raisons d’hygiène. L’homme trans souhaitait toutefois porter un maillot ample, car sinon il serait visible qu’il n’a pas subi d’opération de réassignation de...
