Women go topless in transgender protest

TOPLESS female swimmers invaded a men-only swimming session to protest against transgender rules.

Amy Desir, 30, from Luton, and Hannah, 39, wore just trunks and a pink cap when they claimed to identify as male to gain access to a pool last Friday to highlight a “ridiculous and dangerous” move towards self-identification.

They told staff they had every right to join the session at Dulwich Leisure Centre, south London, and both women used the male changing rooms before joining around 20 men for a dip.

Plans to let people officially change their gender without undergoing medical checks have been proposed by the government, but they have been met with concern from some quarters.

Hannah, who refused to give her last name for fear of reprisals and was accompanied by her husband for the protest, said: “It is about safety and dignity. People have a right to segregated areas. It is not enough to say I am a man and use male changing rooms or vice versa.”

Natalie Lane, the leisure centre’s general manager, told Hannah when she emailed in advance that they welcome transgender customers, and: “Any customer is free to use the changing room they feel necessary for themselves. We do our best to avoid modern prejudices.”