You can go topless or in an ankle-length bathing suit at the public pool. This is stated in Law 19/2020 on equal treatment and non-discrimination. But despite being the third summer since the entry into force of the norm, some consistories seem to have not yet learned the lesson.
In order for this law to be complied with in public swimming pools, the Conselleria d'Igualtat i Femninismes has just sent a circular to all the municipalities of Catalonia -through the Office for Equal Treatment and Non-discrimination- in which it reminds those consistories that ban topless in those spaces "is discrimination."
Like prohibiting, at the opposite pole, full-length swimsuits that cover most of the body. Both behaviors related to clothing in these spaces are, therefore, allowed.
The Ministry of Equality recalls that last summer there were some episodes in Catalan swimming pools in which women were called to attention for bathing without their bikini tops. "So that this does not happen again, this year we have sent those letters in which only the existence of the law that protects these bathers is recalled." says a spokeswoman for that Department.
And the excuse, adds that spokeswoman, of the existence of municipal ordinances that can say otherwise is not worth it. "The norm is mandatory, regardless of what a particular ordinance of a consistory may say," emphasizes this source.
The circular, with the heading "Communication to the Town Halls on discrimination in municipal swimming pools", is concise and clear. The Government of Catalonia, says that letter, "is committed to human rights and to the equality and dignity of people (...) with Law 19/2020"
And this norm, continues the circular, "obliges the public powers to ensure non-discrimination for any of the reasons included in article 1.3, including sex or gender, religious convictions or clothing."
Igualtat recalls in that letter that the letter was sent in response to the existence of cases of discrimination in swimming pools for public use "that arrived last summer at the headquarters of the Office for Equality and Non-discriminatory Treatment." So so that new episodes are not repeated, the Government wants to make it clear what that law says.
In the same text, in addition to being allowed to go topless, it is recalled that it also "constitutes discrimination to prohibit breastfeeding a baby in the pool."
And in the case of swimsuits worn by women of some cultures and that cover a large part of the body, this circular emphasizes that this garment cannot be prohibited either "if it is made of polyester, a material used in any swimsuit."
The first to celebrate the step taken by the Department of Equality by sending this circular have been the members of the "Mugrons Lluires" movement, which in recent years has channeled some of the discrimination complaints. These women are very happy today, although they remember that this step could have been taken years ago to make things very clear to the municipalities.
