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MedgarEvers.jpg
Beginning in March, 2013, Seattle Parks and Recreation will host women-only swimming several city pools for those who can't swim with the general public for religious or cultural reasons. (Medgar Evars Pool photo courtesy Seattle Parks and Recreation)

Seattle will offer women-only swimming programs

December 19, 2012 @ 8:34 pm (Updated: 7:18 am - 12/20/12 )

Seattle plans to offer single-gender swimming opportunities at four of its city pools.

The program will serve girls and women who cannot swim in a co-ed environment because of cultural, religious or personal reasons.

Swimming in a public pool is forbidden for Muslims, Orthodox Jews, and some East African women.

It is considered immodest to see men without their chests covered and to be seen swimming unless the woman is wearing a full-body swimsuit known as the "burkini."

Beginning in March, 2013, Seattle Parks and Recreation will host women-only swimming at Meadowbrook, Medgar Evers and Southwest pools. The program will also be extended to Rainier Beach Pool when it re-opens in fall 2013.

Single-gender swim participants will pay standard public attendance fees, according to the Mayor's office.

The program will be held at times when the pools have the traditionally lowest usage.

Staff will cover the windows during the swim, and only female lifeguards will be employed.

Seattle Parks and Recreation has offered single-gender swimming at three public pools for the past decade, but that was through private rentals paid for with grants.

Outside funding of the rentals has been unreliable, so the city decided to create its own program.

Earlier this year Seattle's public pools were in the news after breast cancer survivor, who wanted to swim topless after her double mastectomy, was told she couldn't.

Parks officials initially told Jodi Jaecks she couldn't swim topless. She wanted to swim laps but said tops were uncomfortable to wear because of scars from her surgery.

The city later relented after media organizations exposed the story, and now has more inclusive guidelines for Seattle's public pools.

By LINDA THOMAS

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Comments (35)


  • Add A Comment

  • Jeddite wrote...
    FINE, UNDER ONE CONDITION
    December 20, 2012 5:26 am
    1) Should any of these places opt for a "men-only" swimming program (ahahaha like there'd be enough participants), the feminists will keep their cryholes shut (or at least fixate their screeching on a different non-crisis).
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Fuego wrote...
    I wonder
    December 20, 2012 5:40 am
    if they're going to allow "converted" females?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    How about a whites only swim? . . . .
    December 20, 2012 6:09 am
    only you ace jackwagon only you. Not get back to work and make Boeing some money.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • awbitf wrote...
    How successful was the previous program?
    December 20, 2012 7:05 am
    The one paid for via private rentals and grants? Was it well attended? I think this is a fine idea- anything to better utilize our public facilities, I just hope there's actually enough demand for something like this, and would love to see the numbers from past, similar programs.

    Let's face it, paying users is better than the facility sitting there being under-utilized.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Zoeller wrote...
    Morons!!!!
    December 20, 2012 7:15 am
    What are they going to do when a line of men show up claiming that they are now women but have not yet completed their full sex changes? Get ready for the law suits to start flying.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Moondoggie wrote...
    How about a Christian Family Only Swim?
    December 20, 2012 7:20 am
    Females would only be allowed in wearing one piece swimsuits. That way the families would not have to share the pool with women who wear less than your average stripper.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • R L M 456 wrote...
    Of course they forgot to mention
    December 20, 2012 7:21 am
    that all male staff in the complex will be paid to stay home those days

    and the female employees will be paid taxpayer OVERTIME to accomidate this cartoon act

    ONLY IN SEATTLE

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • TwoTrees wrote...
    'The program will serve girls and women who cannot swim in a co-ed environment because of cultural, religious or personal reasons.'
    December 20, 2012 7:41 am
    Shouldn't this read 'girls and women who CHOOSE not to swim in a co-ed environment for religious reasons'?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    While it does make sense, if this is a concession to Islamic women of certain cultures, just say so up front.
    December 20, 2012 2:20 pm
    And, at that, burkas et al are NOT mandated by the Koran. It's cultural interpritation.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Zoeller wrote...
    TwoTrees is-
    December 20, 2012 7:42 am
    (Exactly correct.)
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • TheBopeep wrote...
    Who cares
    December 20, 2012 2:52 pm
    This is about respecting peoples religious beliefs, nothing more. Personally i dont care either way.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • thinktank wrote...
    Femme fatale ?
    December 20, 2012 7:48 am
    Regarding..."The program will serve girls and women who cannot swim in a co-ed environment because of cultural, religious or personal reasons. Swimming in a public pool is forbidden for Muslims, Orthodox Jews, and some East African women. It is considered immodest to see men without their chests covered and to be seen swimming unless the woman is wearing a full-body swimsuit known as the "burkini." America is still too puritan and parochial about the human body. This "women-only" swim, for issues of cultural and religious modesty, only perpetuates the oppression of women. The body is a beautiful thing. Why do we continue to treat it as an instrument of moral decline...as if a man will lose his soul if he sees and appreciates the feminine form in a public setting.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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