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Swimmer in an outdoor pool (symbol image): In Göttingen, tops are only mandatory during the week
Photo: Julian Stratenschulte/ dpa
One person swam topless in a swimming pool in Göttingen and was banned from entering the premises because the pool considered them to be women. But the person does not identify himself as a woman and fought back. In the end, there was a new rule: since May 1st, all bathers have been allowed to visit the swimming pools on weekends without covering their upper bodies. The old bathing regulations apply during the week. The manager of the Göttingen swimming pools explains whether he recommends this to all swimming pools in Germany.
SPIEGEL:
How did the first day of the test phase go – did everyone rip off their bathing suits and bikinis right away?
Gruber:
No, no.
On the first day, that was May 1st, we had a normal number of visitors.
Although the topic interested many, in the end the new rule was only used here and there by people.
These were a few bathers.
SPIEGEL:
The test phase has been running for a few weeks, summer is here.
Are more topless bathers coming now?
Gruber:
That has developed further.
We're not being overrun, but some people are taking advantage of the offer.
All women now have the opportunity to swim topless on Saturday and Sunday.
SPIEGEL:
How many people come to your pools on an average day?
Gruber:
That depends on the weather, of course, but last weekend, for example, there were 10,000 visitors in our outdoor pools.
Of these, perhaps about seven people read as women have used the new rule.
SPIEGEL:
Do the topless bathers have to stay in their own areas, similar to the nudist sections on beaches?
Gruber:
That was a proposal that was discussed but did not find a majority.
The group of people would then have felt limited or excluded.
The people in question want to be right in the middle and have the freedom to be topless.
MIRROR:
How does that go down with the other bathers?
Gruber:
Before the test phase, the advocates were very active and wanted it to be implemented.
And now in hindsight, the opponents of these measures are very active and robust in their arguments.
SPIEGEL:
Is there a lot of discussion about this in the bathroom?
Gruber:
We get letters.
It goes from: "Now we can finally go swimming" to "We'll never come back to you, that's not possible".
Both camps are extreme.
And that's why we don't know whether the proponents might make up for the number of those who reject it and no longer want to come.
SPIEGEL:
The number of visitors hasn't decreased?
Gruber:
Exactly.
SPIEGEL:
As the operator, how do you feel about topless bathing?
Gruber:
This is about house and bathing regulations for a public bath.
Everyone has the right to go swimming here and enjoy it in a variety of ways.
It is important to get all sides together so that you can find a good working relationship.
This is a public space where different interest groups and also different mentalities are guests.
SPIEGEL:
The test phase ends at the end of August.
Will they continue the topless rule then?
Gruber:
Yes, it looks like we will continue like this.
SPIEGEL:
Would you also recommend this to other swimming pools in Germany?
Siegen in North Rhine-Westphalia follows their example, and a corresponding proposal by the SPD is also being discussed in the Eimsbüttel district of Hamburg.
Gruber:
That depends on how the social discussion goes.
There are cities where there is an awareness of this, and there are cities where such an awareness has not yet been created at all.
That's why I'm glad that regional politics involved the representatives of society.
Göttingen is a university town and therefore very young and very modern.
This may make the city more open than other cities that have a different population structure.
