Berlin State Government Makes History by Allowing Women to Swim Topless at Public Pools

The state government in Berlin has made a landmark decision to allow women to swim topless at the city’s public swimming pools. The move comes after a woman filed a discrimination complaint when she was prohibited from swimming without a top at a pool in the capital.

The Berlin senate for justice, diversity, and anti-discrimination has announced that the decision was made to ensure equal treatment for all individuals using the public pools. The ombudsperson’s office was involved in the case and took steps to demand that women be allowed to swim topless, just as men are permitted to do so.

As a result of the complaint and the involvement of the ombudsman’s office, the Berliner Baederbetriebe, the organization responsible for managing the city’s public pools, has revised its clothing rules. The Senate has praised the decision, stating that it establishes equal rights for all Berliners, regardless of their gender identity.

The chief of the ombudsman’s office, Doris Liebscher, expressed her support for the decision, highlighting that it provides legal certainty for the staff at the Baederbetriebe. She emphasized the importance of the regulation being applied consistently to avoid any further expulsions or bans from the pools.

Historically, women who chose to swim topless at Berlin pools were asked to cover themselves or to leave the premises. Some even received bans preventing them from returning to the pools. However, the new decision ensures that women have the same rights as men to swim without a top, promoting gender equality and addressing past discriminatory practices.

This new ruling has been met with mixed reactions from the public, with some praising the move as a step forward in promoting gender equality. However, others have expressed concerns about the potential discomfort it may cause for some individuals, particularly those who may not feel comfortable with others swimming topless around them.

Regardless of these concerns, the Berlin state government’s decision to allow women to swim topless at public pools is a significant step towards promoting equality and ending discriminatory practices. It is hoped that this decision will set a precedent for other cities and countries around the world to follow.