Turkish Baths Harrogate is considering dropping single-sex sessions from its timetable.
Harrogate Borough Council, which runs the baths, said a timetable consisting entirely of mixed sessions would reflect “equality and balance”.
A spokesperson for the council told The Stray Ferret:
“We’re considering the removal of single sex sessions from the timetable at the Turkish Baths to reflect the increased spotlight on equality and balance across the world. This change would allow complete accessibility during the timetable for all genders. We see this as a positive development allowing greater access to all our customers and would allow us to fully, and fairly, consider all genders and orientations.”
This consultation comes at a time when there are debates about how transgender people use different facilities.
Read more:
- How the council handed over control of leisure services to a new company
- When the district’s leisure facilities closed over coronavirus fears
The baths stopped male-only sessions back in 2011 in the wake of reports of “inappropriate behaviour,” only to bring them back five years later.
Now Turkish Baths Harrogate has launched an online survey to gauge the demand for single-sex sessions.
It is unclear when this new rule could come into place. The government has not yet given saunas or spa rooms the green light to reopen.
