Protesters gathered at the women’s pond in Hampstead Heath to advocate for gender-specific spaces. The demonstration, led by the Women Holding the Line (WHTL) group, aimed to preserve the pond as a female-only area amidst concerns over transgender swimmers. The protesters set up barriers with signs that read ‘no men beyond this point’ and blocked the entrance with yellow tape for two and a half hours on July 28.
The WHTL group, represented by organisers Michelle Liverbird and Angela Wild, traveled from Wales to make their voices heard. They believe that allowing individuals who identify as women to swim at the pond jeopardizes its status as a safe space for women, referring to it as a ‘men’s invasion’. In response, they have issued a list of demands to the Kenwood Ladies Pond Association (KLPA), urging for surveys on swimmers’ experiences, enhanced foliage coverage around the fences, and improved Wi-Fi in the area.
The KLPA, a voluntary members group overseeing the pond, previously conducted a vote in 2024 regarding changing the constitution’s language from women to biological females. Despite some controversy, the majority of voters opted to retain the term women in support of the transgender community. The KLPA emphasized that the Ladies’ Pond has always been and continues to be a women-only space, with no reported instances of men posing as women to access the facility since the gender identity policy was introduced in 2019.
While the KLPA maintains that the pond is exclusively for women, the WHTL group’s concerns highlight ongoing debates surrounding gender-specific spaces and inclusivity. As discussions around gender identity and access to public facilities evolve, it is essential for stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue to address the diverse needs of different communities. This demonstration serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding gender, safety, and inclusivity in shared spaces, prompting further reflection on how to create environments that are welcoming and secure for all individuals.
