Outrage over naked swimming

[NakedGary]

Manchester Evening News.com
News

http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/res/800.$plit/C_71_article_1043430_image_list_image_list_item_0_ image.jpg?02%2F04%2F2008%2008%3A04%3A30%3A713
Elaine Howarth with children Ethan and Laura.

Outrage over naked swimming (http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1043430_outrage_over_naked_swimming)

Exclusive Ciara Leeming
2/ 4/2008


PARENTS are refusing to let their children swim in Levenshulme baths - because it's being hired for naked male swimming sessions.

Over the past nine months the pool has been hired out on a Thursday evening for private naturist group Naked Swim.

The group hires one of the two pools and is given use of the saunas, while regular public adults-only swimming takes place in the second pool.

But now local mums have learned about the sessions, some want them stopped.

They say it is inappropriate that people are bathing in the nude in a public pool.

Manchester Council has moved to reassure people that the sessions pose no hygiene or privacy risk but some mums are so concerned that they have pulled their children out of swimming lessons at the baths in protest.
Complained

One, Elaine Howarth, told the M.E.N she had complained to staff at the swimming pool, but was told they could not see what the fuss was about.

"I'm all for people having their own get-togethers, but why do they have to be naked? It just doesn't seem right," she said.

"All the local schools use the baths for their swimming lessons but most of the mothers I've been speaking to are now not going to allow their children to go anymore. It's horrible to think about."

Another mother, Lynne Mills, said she had pulled her son out of his lessons after learning what was going on. She is now considering using another pool.

She said: "I thought this was a joke when I first heard about it. This is a community pool that is used by OAP sessions and children. I am concerned about the hygiene aspect - they don't let children in pools without wearing clothes, so why should it be different for adults?

"We have told my son that we think he's too good for those lessons now. Someone from Levenshulme baths phoned me this week to ask if he would be coming back and I told them no and the reason why not. All the mums I know are doing the same.

"I'm gutted about it because I'd like to support the local pool, but it just doesn't seem right."
Private

A spokeswoman for Manchester City Council said: "This private session has been running since June 2007 with absolutely no problems and the public can be reassured there are no issues surrounding hygiene or privacy.

"This is no less sanitary than bathing with a swimsuit and our pools are well maintained, filtered and chlorinated to maintain high standards of cleanliness for all swimming sessions.

"The group meets in a completely private session in pool two, which is closed to other members of the public, and does not affect other visitors in any way.

"Manchester City Council is totally committed to equality and does not accept discrimination of any kind. The pool is available to hire by any groups regardless of their faith, race, gender or sexuality."

The baths have received two direct complaints about the group - for gay people - one written and one verbal.

Jeni Quirke, of the Lesbian and Gay Foundation, told the MEN: "Naked Swim is a naturist group and whether it is for gay men or not is irrelevant. It should not be considered any different from a heterosexual naturist group. It's all above board, it's not seedy, it's just a social networking group."

The organisers of Naked Swim wereunavailable for comment.
Should naked swimming be allowed in a public pool? Have your say below.



<SCRIPT type=text/javascript>document.write('http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/men/img/print_icon.gifPrint Article (http://javascript<b></b>:window.print())');document.write(' | http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/men/img/email_icon.gif Share this article (http://javascript<b></b>:Effect.toggle(\'sociallinkslistbottom\',\'Appear\ ',{ duration: 2.0 });Effect.toggle(\'sociallinksbottom\',\'Blind\',{ delay: 0.1, duration: 0.4 });)');</SCRIPT>http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/men/img/print_icon.gifPrint Article (http://javascript<b></b>:window.print()) | http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/men/img/email_icon.gif Share this article (http://javascript<b></b>:Effect.toggle('sociallinkslistbottom','Appear',{ duration: 2.0 });Effect.toggle('sociallinksbottom','Blind',{ delay: 0.1, duration: 0.4 });) <NOSCRIPT></NOSCRIPT>| http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/men/img/comment_icon.gifSubmit Comments (http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/sc/1043430_outrage_over_naked_swimming) | http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/men/img/comment_icon.gifView Comments(83) (http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/c/1043430_outrage_over_naked_swimming)


Most recent 2 of 83 user commentsIt is sad to think that these misguided mothers are going to bring up their children with the same ridiculous hang ups that they obviously have.
Tel, Middleton
2/04/2008 at 21:50

Once again this 'OUTRAGE OVER NAKED SWIMMING' story sums up to me what a lot of people in this country stand for-GROW UP and find out the facts before you moan. Take care
Roy Miles, M3 6AL
2/04/2008 at 21:44

[tiggy]

Coming from not far from Manchester I'm absolutely gobsmacked at this one,
obviously a case of local papers making hay out of local stupidity.
Tiggy

[Naturist4Ever]

Earlier NG wrote:
>>and no images allowed with under 18 years old in the image nude or textile

So why do you include a totally irrelevant full-sized image of two clothed minors?? (whereas you decided to cut a videoclip for the sake of a mere fraction of a second of wholesome family nudity that happens to show the back of some children...) and now we're onto it, where EXACTLY does it say this about merchant accounts and minors clothed or otherwise, iI cannot find it on the TOS!

Now over to the message content. In some locations/pools it is not uncommon to allow nude swimming for single-sex sessions only (it is here, but there are few pools that offer such hours). This has nothing to do with naturism/nudism nor gays or lesbians. Who knows if it had been a naturist family group or a women's only group the reactions might have been different???
Whether we (and gays) like it or not, within gay circles there is a certain level of activity that is NOT family friendly, e.g., where I live gay-only venues have a self-admitted reputation for something very different than naturism - call it social and sexual networking. At many of the gay sections of the nude beach(es) there are things going on that are NOT anywhere close to wholesome family nudism. And to be fair, at many of the so-called gay parade's etc it isn't any different. Anyone knows what I mean. So, who knows all the bogus arguments like "it isn't right" are just a camouflage for "god's knows what kind of creepy activity may go on in the other pool let alone what may be drifting in the water - I don't want my kids anywhere close to that" - and while not justified, I can somewhat appreciate these thoughts too. It wouldn't be different if a swingergroups had hired the pool for some nude warming up...?

[tiggy]

naturist4ever,I take it youv'e never been to a pool where a toddler has lost control of either its bladder or bowels then?
Tiggy

[nakedcowboy]

"Whether we (and gays) like it or not, within gay circles there is a certain level of activity that is NOT family friendly"

I must take exception to this. As a gay naturist, I am awar eof the kinds of things you are referring to, but gays hardly have a corner on this market. When searching for naturist info on the web, unless it is for a specifically gay market, my experience has been:

Gays and single men need not apply. (this probably accounts for the local clubs you mention, they may not feel welcomed in a mixed environment and thus the clubs by default almost have to become a quasi social club just to survive)

For every image of a nude male, there will be approx 10 female.

The females will be predominantly young and slim. Realistic body types are usually only found in member posted photo sections.

I am not naive enough to think that these clubs are not using sexual appeal to draw traffic and attract members. I am not naive enough to believe only men are wandering off into the bushes.

Realize it or not, you imply it is not "family friendly" because it is only men. Would it be any less family friendly if it were a man and woman? Do you honestly believe only gay men can not control themselves?

regarding the story, a nearly identical situation occured for the men's club here last year. As with any reputable group, we have strict rules and members police themselves (shocking I know!) Nevertheless, hysteria carried the day and we no longer have a pool to use. We like to think of the UK as more progressive, but it is a battle everywhere. It's just frustrating being a double minority and facing bias from people who believe they are being totally reasonable. When you say "anyone knows what I mean", it comes across as somewhat prejudiced. If there were a "Straight rights" parade, I would expect some fringe elements to be acting inappropriately as well. But I don't judge all heteros based on that. Please consider this before making such blanket statements, thank you.

[unitednudist]

Yes. Just because it is a public pool doesn't mean that clothing must be required. Since it must be payed with their tax dollars they should be able to dress any way they want.

[wantago9]

Too Bad for those kids. Over crowd swimming pools is always bad for business. Pool manager should be more concerns for others. I would think that the pool manager should better able to manage a seperately time slot or say night nude only time of day or so on. Where there isn't going to be any outrages. I don't blame the mothers.:(

[Franklyminim]

"I am concerned about the hygiene aspect " - I takle it that the choldren shower before using the pool?

[NakedGary]

Manchester Evening News (http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1044022_naked_swim_sessions_are_decent)

News
<SCRIPT type=text/javascript>document.write('http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/men/img/print_icon.gifPrint Article (javascript:window.print())');document.write(' | http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/men/img/email_icon.gif Share this article (javascript:Effect.toggle(\'sociallinkslist\',\'Ap pear\',{ duration: 2.0 });Effect.toggle(\'sociallinks\',\'Blind\',{ delay: 0.1, duration: 0.4 });)');</SCRIPT>http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/men/img/print_icon.gifPrint Article (javascript:window.print()) | http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/men/img/email_icon.gif Share this article (javascript:Effect.toggle('sociallinkslist','Appea r',{ duration: 2.0 });Effect.toggle('sociallinks','Blind',{ delay: 0.1, duration: 0.4 });) <NOSCRIPT></NOSCRIPT>| http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/men/img/comment_icon.gifSubmit Comments (http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/sc/1044022_naked_swim_sessions_are_decent) | View Comments(5) (http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/c/1044022_naked_swim_sessions_are_decent)
What's this? http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/men/img/info.gif (http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/community/s/1016/1016014_social_bookmarking_links.html) <LI id=email>
http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/res/644.$plit/C_71_article_1044022_image_list_image_list_item_0_ image.jpg?04%2F04%2F2008%2015%3A35%3A43%3A637
Levenshulme Swimming Baths on Barlow Road.
advertisementNaked swim sessions 'are decent' (http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1044022_naked_swim_sessions_are_decent)

Chris Osuh
5/ 4/2008


THE organiser of naked swimming sessions at a Manchester pool has defended them - and says they are `great'.

The M.E.N revealed that dozens of complaints had been lodged over nudist sessions for gay users at the public baths.

But now the organiser has spoken out in defence of their right to swim naked in a council-run pool.

M.E.N readers have also spoken up in support of the Naked Swim group, arguing that they were entirely innocent and a harmless activity for naturists.

More than 100 web users have commented on our story - with most saying there should be no problem with the specialist group.

The naturist group has booked pool and saunas sessions at the Levenshulme Pools and Fitness Centre every week for the past nine months.

During the closed, Thursday night sessions, visitors are still able to use another pool there.

But some local mums have accused pool managers of preferential treatment and withdrawn children from lessons, while the group say they have the right to private sessions.

The organiser, who did not want to be named for fear of reprisals, also insisted that naked swimming was no less sanitary than normal sessions.

He said of the sessions: "They are great and they attract a very intelligent, decent group of people. These women have a right to complain to the management, who can reassure them.

"But when it becomes a story, other people become involved who have other agendas and that's the scary bit."

One 56-year-old member, who helps organise the sessions, added: "Naked swim is exactly the same as Northern Wave, a gay swimming club that has been running for 10 years, except that here we swim with our trunks off.

"It's a private club and it's a private arrangement between the members and the swimming pool.

"It's nobody else's business. We live in a free society, but there is always the possibility of people who are offended attacking us, so we would like this to be dealt with some sensitivity.

"People do have the right to complain about the group if they feel they have cause to, but that is a private matter between them and the management."

Our online poll showed 64 per cent support for allowing public baths to host nude swimming sessions.

One web user said: "My local swimming pool always used to have a naturist swim. I do not find the idea of the pool being used by a group who book the facility offensive."

Another said: "Not showering before a swim is unhygienic, swimming in the nude isn't.

"We could learn a lot from people on the Continent."
What do you think? Have your say.

[unitednudist]

"I am concerned about the hygiene aspect " - I takle it that the choldren shower before using the pool?
In the news you hear that many mothers think it is wrong for their children have to take showers at pools. I think they should GET OVER IT. What is wrong with a child taking a shower in the locker room? I think it should be enforced and no exceptions allowed. If you think about it, the quote it very racist. It assumes that were dirty. Im a bit offended.