Trans swimmer competes topless after being banned from swimming against women
Anne Isabella Coombes, 67, competed in the 'open’ category swimming race
Mia Williams
Warning: This article contains discussion of trans issues which some readers may find distressing
A trans swimmer protested against exclusionary policies that banned her from competing against other women by swimming topless in an 'open' category race.
Anne Isabella Coombe, 67, made the decision to transition in 2020 during the Covid-19 lockdown.
She has competed in numerous female category swimming races in the past, but was caught off guard by a change in the rules which meant that she could no longer compete in women's races.
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Swim England, the UK’s competitive swimming regulator, described the new policies, which came into effect as of 2023, as 'justified and proportionate'.
Coombes, who transitioned aged 63, aimed to highlight the lack of thought that has gone into creating the new policies.
The new regulations ordered her to compete in the 'open category', which is for 'male, trans, or non-binary competitors'. It does not specify whether trans men (whose birth sex is female) are able to compete in the race.
The swimmer attended the 'open category' event with her breasts completely exposed, at the Cornwall County Masters.
The guidelines completely ban anyone who was assigned male at birth from competing in female competitions.
Speaking to the Reading Chronicle, she said: "I asked them what costume I was supposed to wear, as there are rules around how much fabric can be on your body.
"They confirmed that I need to wear a female swimming costume despite having to compete with the men, which ‘outs’ me as a woman who is transgender."
The athlete added: "I explained to the person on the phone that they are not allowed to do that, and he didn’t have an answer."
Swim England informed her that wearing typically 'male' swimwear would give the referee the right to disqualify her - which obviously makes no sense.
"I’m trying to show that this policy isn’t thought through, and it’s meant to hit trans people and nobody else," she reminded people.
"There are many who say I should only compete against men because I have a man’s advantage, and that just isn’t the case."
This isn't the first topless demonstration we have seen in the UK this year.
In May, trans protestors staged a protest outside of the Scottish Parliament, in opposition to the Supreme Court ruling that announced the 2010 Equality Act’s definition of women related to 'biological women'.
Tyla has contacted Swim England for a comment.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the LGBT Foundation on 0345 3 30 30 30, 10am–6pm Monday to Friday, or email [email protected]