GYM

[snowdoggy]

Hi Esther,

As far as the law goes there should be something in this pdf outlining what the rules are for trans folk regarding changing rooms etc in this country:-

http://www.pfc.org.uk/files/campaign/pfcsprt01.pdf

NB: I'm not sure how up-to-date this pdf is btw.

TC
John

[Ice Maiden]

yeah this transperson is a freak in the changing rooms thing is always a bit of a problem

on the one hand the idea is exploitable by pervs and peeping toms

on the other it is very disrespectful to a transperson trying to fit in

[thedreadpersephone]

It's not an ideal solution, but at the gym I go to a lot of people don't even use the changing rooms. They just come in and take their jacket off, maybe change their shoes. I do exercise classes rather than using machines so usually there is some space in the hall where people can chuck their stuff.

[JENNYJET]

First off, a post-op will have the same rights and considerations as given to any of the gender aquired. A case/dispute occured here in Redditch recently when a pre-op MtoF tried to use female facilities and kick up a fuss when she was declined. She got negative publicity, the council ( owners and operators of the facility ) were correct in law to decline facilities.

There are many female only gymnasia in my town which offer private discreet sessions for many women for many reasons and perhaps this is the place to find. I personally would welcome some kind of waist reduction and lose perhaps 10 kgs of blubber but I cannot tolerate the typical BOOM BOOM music they blast out or the 'hey, look at me!!' types that go to pose and show off their kit. Also, being disabled, I need specialist excercise. Of course, the fees are horrific so I just sit by and get steadily bigger.

The biggest negative following from surgery has been the weight and waist gain from estrogens minus testicles

[JENNYJET]

Esther wrote..You must also avoid discriminating against transsexual people. Treat a transsexual person as belonging to the sex in which the transsexual person presents (as opposed to the physical sex they were born with) unless you can objectively justify treating them differently, taking into account the needs and wishes of everyone involved. Different treatment in this situation will rarely be justified...."


I would refer to the part that says....'unless you can objectively justify etc., and '...taking into account the needs and wishes etc.,....'


Now, this is a matter of interpretation as the ECHR say this under a wide interpretation whilst the UK courts would use the convention of 'strict interpretation' to come to a judgment. Judgments arising from the ECHR are not binding on member states until enacted in law in those member states legislatures. They are in fact 'opinions' of the court at this point.

The recent Equalities Act does not, as far as I am aware, make alternative provision beyond what exists now in that authorities must not discriminate on grounds of gender UNLESS there is sufficient and justifiable reason to do so. I know to my cost and many sleepless nights and many law essays how frustrating the grey areas of the law can be. Interpretation is the greyest of the lot and whilst I thank you Esther for bring it up, it does not answer the question.

In my situation, in life, I have chosen to wait untill I am certain in law that I am in the right, post-op, pending GRC, passport and hopefully new birth certificate will have given me a powerful set of weapons if anyone challenged my rights as a woman.